With St. John's United Church of Christ, Fullerton, expecting its membership to increase dramatically this summer by more than 100 persons, it is looking to the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners to help develop the church's Field of Dreams.

Board President Linda Snyder, at the board's workshop meeting Monday, released information that St. John's UCC, Grape Street, has requested a $1,000 fee waiver so it can file a zoning appeal with the township's Zoning Hearing Board.

St. John's wants to add additional vehicle parking on an undeveloped tract of land it has owned for more than 20 years on the north side of Sixth and Grape streets.

"Our church has been growing and this summer will see a surge in membership, as over 100 members of Dubbs UCC (Allentown) will be joining our church," Susan Rarich, consistory president, and John Viglione, chair of the Field of Dreams Committee, wrote to the commissioners.

"To address this problem, we need to develop our Field of Dreams. The project we are considering will not only include parking, but also a memorial garden, a pavilion and allow undeveloped space to remain for a recreational area. As a nonprofit organization serving the community, we would like to request a waiver of that ($1,000) fee."

Snyder said the request will be on the board's agenda Monday. If enacted as a resolution, the ordinance would require a legal notice in the newspaper, resulting in a delay of the vote.

"We've got to help people in the township. They do a lot," Commissioner Gerard Palagonia said.

"There is no cost to the township," Commissioner Thomas Slonaker added.