CRANBERRY TWP — Ground breaking ceremonies for the new $11 million St. Kilian Catholic Church were Saturday, but those closest to the parish call it a homecoming.

The Rev. Charles Bober, pastor at St. Kilian for several years, said the 29,981-square-foot building will be built at Route 228 and Franklin Road behind the current St. Kilian Parish School.

The building will include a church with seating for almost 1,200, a large lower level for functions, a commercial kitchen, three meeting rooms and two offices.

But after celebrating Mass over the years at Mars High School, the St. Kilian Catholic School gymnasium, and in Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School, Bober and his flock look forward to the new church being completed in 16 to 18 months.

“It really is like coming home,” Bober said.

At Saturday evening’s ground breaking celebration, about 450 people attended the celebratory Mass, and 150 to 200 attended the celebrations.

Bishop David Zubik and other officials from the Pittsburgh Diocese participated in the event, with Zubik praying over the ground before wielding a shovel for the ground breaking.