pgdata, pg_ctl wont start

Hi all,

Im trying to start the postgres server. I setup a data directory.
Until now I would run: <path>pg_ctl -D /<path to data dir> start, as
the postgres user.
Nothing has changed in the data directory. I haven't even tried to
look inside of it.

The error reads:
daneensign:/opt/local/lib/pgsql8/bin postgres$ /opt/local/lib/pgsql8/
bin/pg_ctl -D /opt/local/psql/data/ start
postmaster starting
daneensign:/opt/local/lib/pgsql8/bin postgres$ postmaster cannot
access the server configuration file "/opt/local/psql/data/
postgresql.conf": No such file or directory

I have a db already setup that I have been using. Please can someone
help me trouble shoot this? I dont know where to start.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Dane Ensign