Memory Garden History
The idea of a memorial garden was initiated by Martha and Don Ely in 1992. They envisioned a year-round accessible landscaped area to inter ashes of PHPC members, past and present, and their family members. Their hope was for a space to honor those who had passed and "to meditate and enjoy worshipful quiet."
Nine years later in 2001, the hope for such a place at Pebble Hill was realized and the Memory Garden was completed thanks in large part to the efforts of the original planning committee: Dot Downing (Chair), Don and Martha Ely, Jim Stone, Isabel Riegel, Rosemary Green, Mary Peg Walton, Maralyn Coughlin, and Rod Cochran. Beautiful perennials had been planted between a simple cross and a "sunken room" that allowed for small gatherings of loved ones when ashes were interred. Additionally, the Memory Garden served as a place for anyone to visit, meditate, and pray.
In 2021, a commemorative service was held in the Memory Garden to acknowledge its 20th anniversary and to honor all those whose ashes were interred there. At this time, a plan for refurbishment of the Garden was also announced as perennials planted two decades earlier were, in some cases, needing to be replaced or thinned. The church's own Landscape Architect, Elizabeth Metz, was charged with developing a plan for the Garden while keeping to the original design concept. Pam Wildridge, a Cornell Extension Master Gardener and certified Landscape Professional was asked to assist Elizabeth in a co-leadership capacity. Elizabeth spent most of COVID visiting the Garden, taking pictures from every angle, and eventually offering a comprehensive plan for revitalization. This plan was presented in a Forum and was received enthusiastically. Session approved the plan and the expenditure from the Memory Garden Fund to make it happen.
By 2023, virtually all new plants were in place as well as a pool featuring a water feature. (Although a pool was mentioned in the original 1992 letter from the Ely's, it had not been accomplished in the original garden.) By then a Task Force overseeing the Memory Garden had been formed and included both Elizabeth and Pam as well as Janine Bernard (chair), Chris Klemperer, Carol, Ganotis, and Deedee Elleman (representing the Property Committee).
At the same time that everyone was celebrating the refurbishment of the Garden, it became clear that the River Birch tree that had been planted in the center of the sunken room was causing a tripping hazard due to its roots lifting flagstones. A recommendation was made to Session and approved to remove the tree. This was accomplished prior to Spring of 2024. A plan for the circle center is scheduled to be completed by Fall 2024.
The design concept and original conceptual plans and sketches for the Memory Garden were developed by Jonathan Logan and Jonathan Peet as they complete their undergraduate education in Landscape Architecture at the State University College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY. Dan Reeder, a Landscape Architect, was retained to turn the plans into a reality.
As noted above, the conceptual plans and sketches for the refurbishment of the Memory Garden were developed by Landscape Architect G. Elizabeth Metz.
Nine years later in 2001, the hope for such a place at Pebble Hill was realized and the Memory Garden was completed thanks in large part to the efforts of the original planning committee: Dot Downing (Chair), Don and Martha Ely, Jim Stone, Isabel Riegel, Rosemary Green, Mary Peg Walton, Maralyn Coughlin, and Rod Cochran. Beautiful perennials had been planted between a simple cross and a "sunken room" that allowed for small gatherings of loved ones when ashes were interred. Additionally, the Memory Garden served as a place for anyone to visit, meditate, and pray.
In 2021, a commemorative service was held in the Memory Garden to acknowledge its 20th anniversary and to honor all those whose ashes were interred there. At this time, a plan for refurbishment of the Garden was also announced as perennials planted two decades earlier were, in some cases, needing to be replaced or thinned. The church's own Landscape Architect, Elizabeth Metz, was charged with developing a plan for the Garden while keeping to the original design concept. Pam Wildridge, a Cornell Extension Master Gardener and certified Landscape Professional was asked to assist Elizabeth in a co-leadership capacity. Elizabeth spent most of COVID visiting the Garden, taking pictures from every angle, and eventually offering a comprehensive plan for revitalization. This plan was presented in a Forum and was received enthusiastically. Session approved the plan and the expenditure from the Memory Garden Fund to make it happen.
By 2023, virtually all new plants were in place as well as a pool featuring a water feature. (Although a pool was mentioned in the original 1992 letter from the Ely's, it had not been accomplished in the original garden.) By then a Task Force overseeing the Memory Garden had been formed and included both Elizabeth and Pam as well as Janine Bernard (chair), Chris Klemperer, Carol, Ganotis, and Deedee Elleman (representing the Property Committee).
At the same time that everyone was celebrating the refurbishment of the Garden, it became clear that the River Birch tree that had been planted in the center of the sunken room was causing a tripping hazard due to its roots lifting flagstones. A recommendation was made to Session and approved to remove the tree. This was accomplished prior to Spring of 2024. A plan for the circle center is scheduled to be completed by Fall 2024.
The design concept and original conceptual plans and sketches for the Memory Garden were developed by Jonathan Logan and Jonathan Peet as they complete their undergraduate education in Landscape Architecture at the State University College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY. Dan Reeder, a Landscape Architect, was retained to turn the plans into a reality.
As noted above, the conceptual plans and sketches for the refurbishment of the Memory Garden were developed by Landscape Architect G. Elizabeth Metz.
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Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church
5299 Jamesville Road DeWitt, NY 13214 315-446-0960 Office hours: Monday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Tuesday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Wednesday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Thursday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Closed Friday Email: [email protected] 10:00 a.m. - Worship Service |
