A steel skeleton is rising from the rubble of what once was the site of Lexington Mall.

Work continues on the new Richmond Road campus of Southland Christian Church as construction workers assemble a framework of steel beams on the spot where most of the mall was demolished. Construction is targeted to be completed at the end of 2012, said the church's senior executive pastor, Chris Hahn.

He said he hoped the campus would help add 4,000 people to the Southland Christian community. The new campus is part of a plan to build five satellite campuses. Southland's main campus is in Jessamine County.

Southland Christian bought the buildings and 31 acres for $8.1 million from Maryland-based Saul Centers.

Kelsey Sheridan,ksheridan@herald-leader.com