RALEIGH, N.C. - A Raleigh man has his sights set high with a plan to build an underground chapel in his own backyard despite push back from neighbors.

• Boone says the underground chapel would be named ‘Ebenezer Chapel’
• However, the proposal is gaining push back from some neighbors and the Umstead Coalition
• Concerns about deforestation and traffic being raised

Mark Boone lives on a sloped seven acre property off Ebenezer Church Road near Umstead Park.

Boone says the underground chapel would be named ‘Ebenezer Chapel’ with a mission to serve the community.

However, the proposal is gaining push back from some neighbors and the Umstead Coalition.

They’re opposed to Boone’s request to get the property rezoned for mixed use.

Boone says even if the area isn’t rezoned, he plans on moving forward with his idea once funding is secured.

"The thing that inspires me the most is the ability to let other people in the community experience the peace and tranquility that I've had the benefit of experiencing by just walking around the property.  I'd like to be a part of writing the postcard to the people 1,000 years from now so when archaeologists are walking around they don't misunderstand anything.  They will understand what the people [of today] believed,” said Mark Boone.

The Umstead Coalition sent a letter to the City of Raleigh voicing its concerns about deforestation along Richland Creek. 

Neighbors are also opposing the project and rezoning request because of the potential traffic impact along Ebenezer Church Road.