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Multi-Million Dollar Convent Planned For Williamson County


A sisterhood of Catholic nuns hopes to spread their message throughout Texas with a planned headquarters based in Williamson County.

"We just follow whatever the Holy Spirit leads us to do, and he led us to Georgetown," says Sister Maria Silva.

The Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist are hoping to build a $30 million priory, also known as a large convent, on 60 acres of land just outside the Georgetown city limits on Hwy 29.

"We've seen such a warm welcome in Texas, we just love being here and we love the people here and they're just excited and they want to help us," says Sister Elizabeth Ann O'Reilly.

The convent will serve as a hub for their sisterhood in Texas. They say it's an ideal location because there are universities nearby where the sisters can earn their teaching credentials and teach in nearby schools.

"All of our sisters get their teaching credentials before they teach in any of the schools so it's easy access to other schools in the area," says Sister Mary Silva

But they still have to raise the money. The sisters already have $11 million and they'll break ground as soon as the reach $20 million.

"It is a lot of money, but god will provide, it seems like he's given us every confirmation that he wants this to happen, and so he will provide," says Sister O'Reilly.

The sisters will start building a smaller house on the property in the fall of this year. They hope to break ground on their larger facility by next year.

By Lydia Pantazes