It may not be a miracle, but it is something of a blessing.

On a bluff high above Crawford Road near Highway 525 in Langley, the new Unity of Whidbey church is rising, helped in no small measure by two dozen college students from Seattle.

In a collaboration forged in heaven — at least in the eyes of the congregation — Unity of Whidbey and carpentry professor Frank Mestemacher found each other, with a little help from primary architect Matthew Swett of Taproot Architects in Langley.

Swett and Mestemacher were involved in the building of Clinton Beach Park in 2006, and Swett thought the money-saving aspect of that project would fit Unity like a glove.

“I recognized that the students would thrive on something like this and it would save the church a lot in basic costs,” Swett said. “Eventually, the social hall will have a ‘living roof’ which fits Unity’s views on the natural world.”

As lead carpentry instructor for Seattle Central Community College, Mestemacher knew this was a golden opportunity for two reasons.

“It gave us a chance to be involved in an important community project and, frankly, things like this don’t come along every day,” he said. “It’s a win-win for them and us.”

The church is paying for the materials; the students are donating their labor.

The first phase is the 1,250-square- foot administration office and social hall. Phase II will be the sanctuary.

The wood panels for the church were assembled at the school’s shop in Seattle, where the students carefully sawed, planed and sweated over each piece under their instructor’s careful gaze.

“Measure twice, cut once,” as Mestemacher preaches. Each piece was labeled, disassembled and trailered to Langley, where it’s being erected on-site.

For the students, it’s the difference between the classroom and the real world.

Al Pierce joined the class to further his own education as a carpenter.

“Coming out here gives us a chance for a hands-on experience,” he said. “Among the things I’ve learned so far are how to make corrections when needed, how to save time and ways to avoid painting myself into a corner.”

The non-denominational Unity of Whidbey was incorporated 27 years ago and has been meeting on Sunday mornings at Bayview Community Hall for more than 10 years.

“It will let us have a home,” said church leader Gerry Simpson. “We can hold services, social gatherings and various community events even before the sanctuary is built.”

Already painted and rising through the woods is a maroon bell tower with a picture of a dove of peace embedded in a high window.

“When the county authorized construction, they said we can’t have a bell, in deference to the neighborhood,” Simpson said. “We call it the ‘no-bell’ tower.”

The students arrive on the ferry by 10 a.m. and get right to work. At 11:30 a.m., church ladies arrive with much-appreciated sandwiches, cold drinks and desserts.

Church treasurer Hugh Morgan said the total cost of the building would run about $135,000.

“We’ve had a building fund organized for the past three years,” he said. “I don’t know the exact savings of having these guys help, but it is significant.”

Simpson said the church hopes to be ready for occupancy by late September. When it’s done, the board will tackle construction of a sanctuary.

“We have a lot of thinking to do regarding the interior design,” he said. “We don’t have a lot of experience going from a temporary space to a permanent home, but it’s a situation we’re happy to deal with.

“The excitement is high and has helped to really bring the congregation together.”