BCS faith organizations share building during road construction

Heavy traffic at Wellborn Road and George Bush Drive has forced the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Brazos Valley to find a new home.

"There's a little bit of sadness. It's kind of bittersweet,” said Reverend Aaron Stockwell.

Until a new church can be built, the congregation is returning to a familiar place: Hillel at Texas A&M, a Jewish campus organization.

"In the 1960's we met at the Hillel building. So in a way, I've been trying to frame this as, it's a ‘returning home’,” said Reverend Stockwell.

"I've had the privilege to be a guest preacher at the Unitarian Church a couple times since my arrival; one a month or two after I arrived in 2013. So I know the community, and know how wonderful they are. So, I welcome them,” said Hillel’s Rabbi Matt Rosenberg.

Rabbi Matt Rosenberg says, his students will also benefit from sharing the space.

"It's a great teaching opportunity to talk about being hospitable to others and providing shelter to others. It really goes along with our visions of Hillel, as well as my vision as a rabbi and what I want to teach our students," said Reverend Rosenberg.

The Texas Department of Transportation is buying the right of way along Wellborn to produce a new intersection that has yet to be designed. For the Unitarian Church, this means they can plan a new home.

"The chance to now build a building that will, first of all, suit the needs of Bryan and College Station, but also suit the needs of our congregation now in the 21st century is an incredible opportunity," said Reverend Stockwell.

TxDOT is unsure of when construction will start, but they say the project will cost around $40 million.

The First Unitarian service at Hillel is scheduled for Sunday, January 15th at 10:30 a.m.