News 12 at 6 o'clock, August 19, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga.---The St. Sebastian project is a new construction project that promises an easier route downtown. For most people that's one less hassle, but for one Augusta church it's more like one big headache. Jerusalem Baptist Church took their concerns to the Augusta commission.

"We don't have anywhere where to go," said Eulalia Thomas. "What are we supposed to do?"

Eulalia Thomas is a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church. She is finding it hard to worship these days.

"We're pretty much being squeezed out because of all of this traffic here on Jones Street," said Thomas.

A new road coming through town has cleared areas the church used for parking and forced the city to bring in deputies just to get the congregation in and out.

"It's like now you're robbing God's store because people can't come into the church anymore without risking their lives to come in off this busy street," said Thomas.

Eulalia and a group of other church members took their problem to the Augusta commission.

"We're not trying to raise a ruckus," said Thomas. "We just want to be included...treated fairly...and put into a place where we can worship God as we have been doing every Sunday."

As things stand now 150 members are forced to park along Jones Street or in a small parking lot right next to the church that holds about 10 cars.

"The city says it's the state's problem. The state says it's the city problem," said Thomas. "When you look at the whole thing...it's our problem."

The church is more than 100 years old, and that is perhaps it's saving grace.

"I'll be happy to help coordinate that with some of the historic preservation groups downtown that are working on projects like this," said Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver.

There is still an uphill battle. The church is expected to meet with the city administrator next week. They're asking for a possible land swap. The city's goal is to work toward historic preservation. We spoke with state representative Wayne Howard. He says, "We have a moral obligation to help this church."