Saturday, June 12th, 2021, saw the launch of St. John’s Spiritual Garden and Outdoor Sunday School in Port Hope.
Although attendance was limited due to Covid protocols, Father Jesse Parker and Chair of Advisory Board, Shane Watson, presided over the opening and blessing of the garden at 33 Pine Street North.
Mayor Sanderson, with assistance from Bishop Shaw, and six-year-old Sunday school student, Evan Ciana, cut a red ribbon declaring the garden open. (Video of the ribbon cutting available.)
With the lockdown easing up, St. John’s Anglican Port Hope invites members of the media and broader community to spend some time in the garden. (Private guided tours available upon request.)
Conceived in the winter of 2020 by Shane Watson, the church community fully embraced the idea and by March 2021 construction had begun.
The Church wishes to acknowledge the dedicated parishioners, community members, and local business leaders who made this garden a reality.
Our Mission
To educate, share bounty, engage, and provide a natural sanctuary for the community.
To educate – children and adults on the importance of providing habitat for pollinators and wildlife, water conservation, and growing one’s own food.
To share – the produce we grow in our raised bed veggie gardens with the local food bank.
To engage – the community is invited to register as a garden guardian and help with watering and weeding.
To provide – a place to rest and reflect among nature and to delight children of all ages with our magical fairy garden.
“Community driven projects like this one are incredibly value-added in the Municipality,” says Bob Sanderson, Mayor of the Municipality of Port Hope. “Our residents have gained a beautiful garden where they can play, plant, and sit and reflect in this multi-functional space, all the while reaping the well-known benefits that exposure to nature and gardens have on one’s health and wellbeing. The collaboration between the community partners who have carefully curated the plot reminds us that people of all different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences are eager to work together to enhance our Municipality. Well done to all involved – it was an honour to participate in the opening of the garden.”
A team of over 50 volunteers helped bring this garden to life.
The raised bed gardens were designed and constructed by Craig Smith of Punk Rock Produce; seating designed and constructed by David White of Hill Top Construction
Henderson Construction and Davey Sand, Gravel & Landscaping contributed equipment and materials.
St. John’s Port Hope Anglican’s Sunday school teacher, Penny Nutbrown, recruited local families to start vegetable seedlings at home in preparation for planting. She was also instrumental in creating both the shade and wildflower gardens, turning to local gardener and writer, Signe Langford, for advice, donations of plants, and a collection of children’s gardening books.
“I think one of the most heartening and life-affirming aspects of the Spiritual Park and Community Garden project has been the degree to which children and youth have been involved,” says Nutbrown. “Every day, children play in the garden, mixing up messes in the mud kitchen, playing hopscotch or dreaming in the fairy garden. The children leave little things for each other to find, so that even though Covid 19 restrictions may keep them physically distanced, they are interacting and the feeling of community and belonging is palpable in this green and sacred place.”
About St. John’s Anglican Church
This beautiful gothic revival building as completed in 1869 for only 18,300.00. The first minister to lead the congregation was Rev. Fredrick A. O’Meara. This church has a long history of serving both its congregation and the wider community. The Churches presentation of the Christmas Story has been in continual performances for 60 years. The event always pulls in children form beyond the church parish and is a delight to young and old. Treasure Trove located below the church is also one of the town’s longest running thrift shops. St. John’s regularly host the Greenwood coalition dinners and was the sight of Northumberland County’s first Repair Café.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
