Bishop Harold consecrates Garden of Rest at St Columba’s
The Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Right Reverend Harold Miller, consecrated the new Garden of Rest at St. Columba’s Knock on Sunday 22nd January at the 10.30am Holy Communion service.
During the singing of the recessional hymn the whole congregation followed the choir, clergy and Bishop Harold around to the Garden of Rest which is located at the back of the church. Having been requested by the Churchwardens Jill Gillespie and Ronnie Martin to consecrate the Garden of Rest, Bishop Harold conducted the short service in brilliant sunshine with the large congregation standing around him.
The Rector and Select Vestry gave considerable consideration as to how best they should proceed with the provision of a new Garden of Rest and are very grateful to John McKeown, the parish architect, for carefully designing it.
As an adjacent area had recently been cleared of tree roots it became obvious that this would be a good location. Tests were carried out to confirm that no water, power,drainage service lines or large stones were in this area. The criteria used in creating the new concept were:
The need to be adjacent to the existing facility and the church
To be In a quiet, peaceful, sheltered area well away from busy roads
To have nearby car parking and easy pedestrian access
To be on level terrain for disability access.
To have hard standing for clergy and mourners
To be easily maintained
As all these requirements were satisfied it remained to plan an area that had a special peaceful presence. A special attachment to the church was achieved by locating the new Garden of Rest along the central axis of the church and sanctuary just by the West window. The interment area of approximately 16sqm was defined by new fencing to the rear, two areas of pavoirs and an existing path. The Garden of Rest can therefore be extended in the future years by reducing the paved areas.
Pictured left to right: Jill Gillespie (Rector’s Churchwarden), John McKeown (architect), Revd Robert Ferris (Curate), Right Revd Harold Miller (Bishop of Down and Dromore), Revd John Auchmuty (Rector), Ronny Martin (People’s Churchwarden)
With thanks to Revd John Auchmuty (text) and Mr Ian Noad (image).