What follows are some sentimental thoughts about the old Rock Prairie Baptist church building in College Station, TX  that dates back to 1894.  The church is located one of several prime tracts of land that was purchased by Weingarten Investments within the last couple of years.  Collectively, the land has a tax appraised value in excess of $5 million dollars.  The quaint old school house/Rock Prairie Baptist Church building is not exactly the highest and best use for this property-even if it does have a historical marker.  Located at the corner of Highway 6 and Rock Prairie Road East, the developers initially planned a Super Walmart until they encountered rezoning problems.  As a Realtor, sometimes I struggle with desire to hold onto the past yet I understand the importance of moving forward. 

My facts about the church history are largely coming from the Application that was submitted for the Texas State Historical Marker - which was awarded in 1992. This information will be presented in quotes.  See  http://bchc.co.brazos.tx.us/sites/bchc/files/RockPrarie.pdf

To put things in context for this area, Texas A&M College, Texas's first state institution of higher learning  was founded in 1877.  College Station was incorporated as a city in 1938.   

In the late 1800's, the education of most rural children was often conducted in one room school houses with all grades attending.  While most of these former school houses have disappeared from the Texas landscape, the Rock Prairie Baptist church building has remained -in it's original location.  

In 1891, a German immigrant, Adam Royder, had donated one acre of land for school purposes.  A one room school house was constructed where area students received instruction through the 7^th grade.    

The Rock Prairie Missionary Baptist church was organized in 1900 and church services were subsequently held there as well.  A steeple was not added to the original building until 1982. 

"In 1984, the Rock Prairie Baptist church expanded on it's original site and a new facility and Sunday school building was built to meet the needs of it's growing congregation.  The original church and school house was kept in place and was still used from time to time."

Tomorrow morning at the church service in the new facility, I'll see people that saw their children and grandchildren grow up in the old church buildings. 

The old church building hosted marriages and funerals.  It was a place where families and friends spent time together.  Where they spent time worshiping the Lord.   

For whatever reason, I keep thinking about how much my boys used to enjoy getting to eat a donut before the Sunday school classes.  The memory makes me smile.  But, do you know what....it was people that brought the donuts. 

The good news is that the people, the spirit of the church, and the spirit of the Lord will be at the new location along with the memories of the past.   The old facility is just a building and a location where memories where made.  It still saddens me, but I must keep this in mind: 

"Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this:'Hear o Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your  mind and with all your strength.' The second is this:'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these. 

Mark 12: 28-31 NIV