Presbyterian Columbarium & Prayer Garden
Offering a place of respite and quiet contemplation, a multi-purpose outdoor space, and columbarium to the Presbyterian churches of the North Alabama Presbytery.
Architectural sketch for the Columbarium and Prayer Garden showing the multi-use outdoor area. The Columbarium area is at the top, and will be surrounded by an arbor of cherry trees, and topped by a wooden pergola. There is to be a water feature to further create a place of peacefulness and tranquility, and to provide our loved ones who have preceded us with a place within Christ’s community.
The Columbarium
- All-granite construction: the only material proven to stand the test of time
- Honed polished granite niche interiors
- Niche interior dimensions 12″ x 12″ x 12″
- One niche holds two urns
- Patented Secure- Slide niche door with bronze rosette
- 48 niches per columbarium unit
Cost
The current cost for each niche space is $1,500.00. This fee includes the applicable engraving costs for the niche door and perpetual care of the Columbarium, but does not include the cost of cremation, transportation, and other off-premises expenses.
Ownership
The Columbarium and Memorial Prayer Garden is a self-supporting ministry. No funds from the general operating budget will be used for the Columbarium. Receipts from the sales of niches, as well as gifts, are used to defray construction and maintenance costs.
Memorial plaques will also be available for those who do not require a niche space. Memorials may also be made to the Prayer Garden through special plantings, benches, etc.
For additional information, see the Grace Church Columbarium Policies
March 10, 2020
Ted Plowed!
Grace’s own gentleman farmer, Ted, plowed the first phase of the garden this week, busting up the sod and turning up…(drumroll)…NOT red clay, but rather a lovely tan loam.
March 13, 2020
Limed and Covered
The clouds parted enough for Maggie and friends to spread lime and lay down plastic. Nice work!
March 13, 2020
May 23, 2020
Planted!
A small, enthusiastic, and conscientiously-spaced group of Grace-full gardeners moved the plastic, busted clods, and planted Abelmoschus esculentus (“Clemson Spineless” okra) — at least until they heard thunder!
June 27, 2020
Buckwheat?
The garden team planted fagopyrum esculentum (buckwheat) in hopes that when mowed in July it will provide a nice mulch for winter squashes (butternut, pumpkin) to grow upon.
June 27, 2020
July 31, 2020
A Busy July
July was a busy month in the garden that included the first donations of okra (~29lbs), fence raising, mowing of the buckwheat, and planting of cucurbita moschata (butternut squash). A big thank you to everyone who came out for the Garden Day!
August 2020
199 lbs
August was a month of harvesting okra, with total donations reaching 199lbs (120 to Manna House, and the rest to CASA). There was dry spell that slowed things down for a bit, but when the rains came it was hard to keep up. Thunderstorms kept us from harvesting for five days, and in that span some of the okra grew to 10″ in length. Unfortunately, that’s too big to eat. The watermelon have started to ripen (the “test” melon was delicious), and the squashes have some beautiful blossoms on them.
August 2020
September 7, 2020
Watermelon!
With the help of the property team and many cheerful volunteers, 100+ watermelon were harvested and transported to CASA for distribution, the finishing touches were put on the fence, and a great deal of weeding took place. The garden looks much tidier in preparation for the dedication on Sunday. Huge thanks to everyone who showed up!
September 13, 2020
Dedicated
On this beautiful Fall morning, the Harvest of Grace Community Garden was formally dedicated. Pastor Robin offered a brief but moving dedication, and Maggie explained how the garden came to be and the good that it has already done.
September 13, 2020
