LYNCHBURG, Va. — Rev. Jerry Falwell marks the half-century anniversary of Tho-mas Road Baptist Church tomorrow with a service in a new, 6,000-seat sanctuary.

The sanctuary is just a small part of a 1 million-square-foot complex for the Falwell empire's administrative offices, Liberty University recreational facilities and classrooms and Liberty Christian Academy, which has students from preschool through high school.

Falwell started his church with 35 members. One year later, Thomas Road Church had 864 members; it has continued to grow dramatically.

Today, the rolls number 24,000.