BURLEIGH — Prayers were answered May 3 when a $2-million donation was received by the congregation of The Lighthouse Church, Christian and Missionary Alliance, to be used for construction of the new church building on Route 9 South.

The congregation of about 400 learned of the donation from the Messner Foundation during the Sunday morning worship service at Elementary No. 2, where the church pays rent to Middle Township Board of Education to conduct services.

Plans call for the church, the local congregation’s first, to be located between Route 9 and Garden State Parkway. The church annex fronts on Route 9 at that address.

Through the years, several occupants have used the site, among them a service station, then a second-hand item store, next a dance studio and then a sales office for a business publication firm.

Harold and Elaine Messner, Lighthouse Church members, started the foundation, which made the donation.

The couple claimed $88 million in March 2007, their portion of a $390-million multi-state jackpot in the Mega Millions lottery. They have maintained their privacy since that time.

The couple did not immediately step forward at the time to claim their prize, the largest lottery jackpot in North American history until they secured legal and financial advice on how best to handle the vast sum.

While the donation places the building fund about half way to its target $4-million, $2 million remains to be raised by congregation members. A capital campaign will be the next step in order to allow the faithful to pledge funds or give what they believe they are guided to donate.

Pastor Rudy Sheptock, who authors the weekly column “Speaking in the Light” in this newspaper, is spiritual leader of the church.

He did not respond a call for comment about the construction project or donation.