Yo howdy All y’all!
From the beginning our congregation has gardened. Well, from the opening of our present Sanctuary grounds, anyway. The generations our Congregation that gathered at 8th and Colorado grew the congregation, building three buildings, each larger than the one before. The front corners of those buildings directly met with the sidewalk and lot lines (see the photos in the “staff meeting room”). While you’re up thar, gander a peek thru the blinds into our 15th Century-styled courtyard – see anew the beauty of the tiles on the facia and roof, the geometrics of brick and glass, the copper forms and sculpted stone. From above, see the lush, well trimmed lawn lined with roses.
Early photographs of our living Sanctuary show tall, thin Italian cypress framing our outdoor pulpit. The photos show cars parked by the front doors (would be nice now but for those “tow -away” signs). Planted then were Mediterranean palms, roses, and some topiary. Our welcoming front courtyard is our crisp traditional garden. Our back courtyard is also our heritage – yet ever evolving as buildings and tree growth conceal the sun and determine what can grow.
Our church was formed in 1847, the early congregation gathering in homes, livery barns, school rooms and alongside the banks of the Colorado River. Following the Civil War, from 1865-67, worship services were held in a log cabin near Fourth Street and Congress. I like to think the rest of our gardens now carry on that tradition – we are a downtown sanctuary outpost on the edge of wildness.
Certainly wild things are happening in our gardens, in government buildings that surround us, on the streets that embrace us, along our curbs and edges, even within our grounds. The wonderfully wild includes an ever-changing blend of blooming weeds, with so many colors right now. Sages red, yellow and blue. The purple bee balm more abundant this year, already buzzing with bees. White gaura, “Easter” lilies, moonflowers and daisies. Birds and butterflies feed among the orange and yellows.
In our wild gardens some days things get abused, scattered and broken. Things get stolen – tools, signs, plants removed from both pots and soil. At least once a year whole plants – roots, and stalks with flowers and fruit ready to harvest – have “been liberated from the bondage of soil” and tossed into the street. Such are the unguided but energetic efforts of unexpected “volunteers”. Recently, the steppingstones into the gazebo and some other things were painted pastel colors. We can only be grateful someone felt compelled to share their painting talents.
Our produce within reach of sidewalks and curbs continues to feed the hungry. Green, wax and purple beans – the purple pole beans are also now producing beautiful scarlet flowers. Kale, collards and Swiss chard is regularly added to the soups served from Angel’s House, with a variety of herbs and four types of peppers. A bunny ate all of our okra plants. Passersby harvest the cherry tomatoes almost daily – this is a hoped for happening. What was unexpected was the harvesting of all ten great big beets during the dark of the night. Alas, the garden grows to nourish the hungry body and spirit, I just wish they had harvested the beet greens rather than tossing those onto the pavement.
So it be wild. “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and for the alien…” Leviticus 23:22
Be well share joys. Phil
