Church Story Plans $7.5 Million Permanent Church Campus in Cypress Near Tomball
For a growing congregation that began with about 30 people praying in a living room, a newly filed $7.5 million construction project represents more than additional Sunday seating. It could give Church Story a permanent place to serve families, students and neighborhoods across Cypress, Tomball and Northwest Harris County.
Construction records list a new Church Story facility at 18435 Cypress Heights Drive in Cypress, near Juergen Road and three Tomball ISD campuses. The filing covers a 34,606-square-foot interior build-out within a new pre-manufactured metal building shell, with work scheduled to begin Oct. 1, 2026, and reach completion around Nov. 1, 2026.
The filing offers the latest public indication that the non-denominational church’s long-discussed “Next Chapter” is moving closer to becoming a physical part of the rapidly growing Cypress area.
A Permanent Home for a Young, Growing Church
Church Story launched in late 2022, when a small group began meeting in a home. Weekly gatherings followed in January 2023 at The Heritage in Towne Lake, but the congregation quickly outgrew that location and later moved to Good Shepherd Methodist Church.
By August 2023, the church had begun holding Sunday morning gatherings at Grand Lakes Junior High School, where services are currently offered at 9 and 10:30 a.m. The congregation has continued to grow there, particularly among young families.
Church Story describes itself as “more than a Sunday gathering,” with a mission centered on helping people know God, grow alongside others and make a difference in the community.
“No matter your background or story, you are invited to come and be part of an ordinary group of people living with extraordinary purpose,” the church states on its website.
That growth, however, has brought practical challenges. Church leaders have said the school campus cannot indefinitely provide enough space for worship, children’s programming, youth activities and ministries serving individuals with special needs.
What Is Planned for the New Church Story Campus?
Church Story’s campaign materials describe an initial building phase of approximately 33,546 square feet, while the state construction filing identifies 34,606 square feet of interior construction. The completed first phase is expected to include a main worship room with removable seating for more than 650 people and an overall gathering capacity of approximately 900 or more.
Plans also call for about 12,000 square feet of children’s ministry space, areas for youth gatherings, church offices and two dedicated environments for individuals with special needs.
A large lobby, coffee bar and café-style seating area are intended to create room for conversation and connection beyond scheduled worship services. Flexible rooms and a multiuse main space could also accommodate community events, ministry gatherings and special programs during the week.
Outdoor plans outlined by the church include a large entrance patio and more than 9,000 square feet of green space. Approximately two acres would remain available for future community engagement, while a later expansion could add more than 9,500 square feet and increase the worship room to more than 800 seats.
For nearby residents, the project could eventually mean another large gathering place in an area where new homes, schools and community organizations continue to arrive alongside population growth.
A Location Beside Three Tomball ISD Campuses
The church purchased 10 acres near Juergen Road and Cypress Heights Drive after raising $1.3 million in 2024. The property sits near Tomball West Elementary School, Tomball West Intermediate School and Tomball West High School.
Church Story estimates those neighboring campuses collectively serve nearly 5,000 students and 375 staff members. Leaders have identified that proximity as an opportunity to build long-term relationships with local families and educators, although no formal school partnership was detailed in the construction filing.
Lead Pastor Wes Jackson wrote that the location helped shape the church’s vision for the future.
“The opportunity for impact alongside the three Tomball ISD campuses adjacent to the property for decades to come has shaped God-sized dreams for these days,” Jackson wrote in the church’s Next Chapter campaign booklet.
The church lists caring for the surrounding community as one of its central values, including efforts to build relationships with individuals, families, organizations and neighborhoods.
A $10.5 Million Long-Term Investment
Although the newly listed construction work carries an estimated cost of $7.5 million, Church Story’s broader campaign materials place the total project cost at approximately $10.5 million. That figure includes $3.4 million for the land and an estimated $7.1 million for the building.
The congregation launched a three-year campaign with a goal of raising at least $7 million from 2026 through 2028. According to the campaign materials, $2 million had already been pledged when the booklet was prepared.
The fundraising plan calls for paying the remaining balance on the land and covering approximately $5 million in construction costs. Church Story expects to finance no more than $2.2 million once the project is completed, with any contributions above the campaign goal reducing that future debt.
“The Next Chapter is all about what God has next for Church Story,” the congregation explains. “Through this initiative, we are investing in an opportunity that will help more people know God, grow with others, and go make a difference.”
Church leaders have asked members to consider contributions beyond their regular giving, while emphasizing that participation and gift amounts are personal decisions. The church also encourages families to seek guidance from financial and tax professionals before making donations involving retirement accounts, securities or other noncash assets.
Growth Has Increased the Need for Space
Church Story reported average attendance of 265 in 2023, 431 in 2024 and 616 in 2025. Its campaign booklet also lists 132 baptisms since the church began, 117 participants in mentor groups and 29 participants in its special needs ministry.
The church reported that hundreds of volunteers had served families in need, with community efforts reaching more than 5,400 people.
Those figures were presented by Church Story as part of its own campaign materials and have not been independently audited. Still, they help explain why church leaders view a permanent Cypress campus as an operational need rather than simply a change of address.
“A permanent home for Church Story will enable us to live out our mission more fully by providing space for worship, friendship, growth, and ministry to all ages,” the church stated.
What Happens Next for the Cypress Church Project?
The construction filing lists a one-month period from Oct. 1 through Nov. 1, 2026, for the interior fit-out phase. Construction schedules can change because of permitting, financing, contractor availability, weather and the completion of related site or shell-building work.
Church Story’s earlier campaign timeline projected building construction beginning in late summer 2026, with the full project potentially completed in late summer or early fall 2027. The newly filed dates may apply specifically to one defined phase of the work rather than the entire campus.
Until the permanent facility is ready, Church Story is expected to continue gathering at Grand Lakes Junior High School, 20247 Cypress Rosehill Road in Tomball. Sunday services are held at 9 and 10:30 a.m., with children’s programming available during both gatherings.
For a church that has moved several times in its first few years, the Cypress Heights Drive project marks a significant transition—from borrowing space within the community to creating a place it hopes the wider community can use.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for updates on Church Story construction, development near Cypress Heights Drive and other projects shaping Cypress and Northwest Harris County.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.