Construction continues on the Baptist Joint Committee’s Center for Religious Liberty on Capitol Hill with completion scheduled for early fall. Located on the site of the BJC’s current offices, the Center will be across the street from the U.S. Supreme Court and two blocks from the U.S. Capitol. This strategic location has long been a major asset for the agency and its work with other organizations in the battle for religious liberty.
For more than five years, the BJC has worked to fulfill its vision of the new Center.
It will expand the organization’s ability to accommodate additional staff and visitors as it ramps up its education efforts. The BJC will be able to host larger and more frequent groups of students, church members and clergy who visit Washington, D.C.
The office design — using wood and glass, a smart layout and advanced interactive technology — will balance the needs of staff with the goal of providing visitors meaningful exposure to the work of the organization and our Baptist heritage.
The floor plan will take advantage of the impressive view of Capitol Hill. The new state-of-the-art conference room will double the BJC’s meeting space capacity and highlight a southwest corner view of the U.S. Supreme Court building and the U.S. Capitol dome.
The centerpiece of the conference room is a 70-inch interactive video screen that will make learning about religious freedom come alive for groups of all ages, including the high school, college and seminary students that visit the BJC office every year.
In addition to these exciting plans, the Center will include office space for visiting scholars and advocates, a gallery highlighting the history of the BJC’s 75-plus years defending and extending religious liberty for all, and new and improved resources, curriculum and literature — in print and online.
From the July/August 2012 Report from the Capital.
