Members of CCMC have participated in the ministry of New Horizons Garden. The initial vision made reality by Ms. Joan Gerig and youth leaders from First Church of the Brethren continues today, alongside partners from the Chicago Community Gardeners Association and volunteers from around the city and suburbs to grow produce and flowers on a plot of land at S. Central Park and Van Buren. Gardeners share the bounty of our produce with volunteers, neighbors, and local organizations. But perhaps the garden’s most important role is as a place of peace, where people can rest and play surrounded by the beauty of creation. Through special events as well as tending the earth, New Horizons Garden is a place for growing relationships as well as good food.
The garden is coordinated by Ms. Erma Purnell and the Rev. Celeste Grace Groff. If you have any questions or would like to get involved, call or text Celeste at (312) 967-6785.
Primary worktimes in the garden take place on second Saturdays April through October, weather permitting. (Coordinators cancel in cases of rain, sleet, or snow.)
Looking back on the garden’s beginnings, by Ms. Joan Gerig
Presented at the 30th anniversary gathering on September 10, 2017
Thirty years ago when we first started working on this garden none of us had cell phones and nobody was listening to music through earbuds while they dug in the soil.
This beautifully arranged garden is not what we envisioned. We thought we would dig up the soil and plant our vegetable seeds.
But Becky from Chicago Botanic Garden thought the soil should be tested. Thanks to her we learned that the soil contained metals from a fill brought in after apartment buildings on this lot were torn down. She arranged for railroad ties and topsoil to be delivered so we could plant in raised beds.
We've had many groups help us over the years, starting with a team of work-release prisoners who lifted that heavy railroad lumber and pounded it together into raised beds. Those beds are long gone, and we now have beds constructed of recycled plastic. But this garden continues to be blessed with hard working partners, most recently Chicago Cares and Open Lands via Ellen Newcomer. Thank you to all who help this garden grow!
Back when this garden was very young it was watered via the fire hydrant across the street. Each spring we would visit the city water department to acquire the key and an adaptor to hook up the hose. Believe me, it is much easier to water the garden in a hose from the church as is now done!
Another immense improvement is the fence. We thank Bernice Clay for that. She regularly attended workshops on garden landscaping with Erma Purnell and me. At each workshop she would loudly announce “we don't need bushes and trees, we need a new fence.” The workshop organizers would patiently explain that she was not attending a fencing workshop. That did not quiet Ms Clay.
One day, some months later, the shaky old fence was gone and a new sturdy one appeared. Ms. Clay is no longer with us, but we remember her and her devotion to this garden when we see the fence. And we still wonder who arranged for and paid for this fence.
Much has changed in 30 years; we enjoy the artistic bed arrangement and water permeable walkway, this meeting area, and rainwater collection barrel thanks to donors.
Yes, we see changes.
But we still plant tomatoes,
Weeds still grow,
Friends and neighbors still meet in this space.
This garden is a reminder that life is precious,
And that we are all part of God's creation.
The garden is coordinated by Ms. Erma Purnell and the Rev. Celeste Grace Groff. If you have any questions or would like to get involved, call or text Celeste at (312) 967-6785.
Primary worktimes in the garden take place on second Saturdays April through October, weather permitting. (Coordinators cancel in cases of rain, sleet, or snow.)
Looking back on the garden’s beginnings, by Ms. Joan Gerig
Presented at the 30th anniversary gathering on September 10, 2017
Thirty years ago when we first started working on this garden none of us had cell phones and nobody was listening to music through earbuds while they dug in the soil.
This beautifully arranged garden is not what we envisioned. We thought we would dig up the soil and plant our vegetable seeds.
But Becky from Chicago Botanic Garden thought the soil should be tested. Thanks to her we learned that the soil contained metals from a fill brought in after apartment buildings on this lot were torn down. She arranged for railroad ties and topsoil to be delivered so we could plant in raised beds.
We've had many groups help us over the years, starting with a team of work-release prisoners who lifted that heavy railroad lumber and pounded it together into raised beds. Those beds are long gone, and we now have beds constructed of recycled plastic. But this garden continues to be blessed with hard working partners, most recently Chicago Cares and Open Lands via Ellen Newcomer. Thank you to all who help this garden grow!
Back when this garden was very young it was watered via the fire hydrant across the street. Each spring we would visit the city water department to acquire the key and an adaptor to hook up the hose. Believe me, it is much easier to water the garden in a hose from the church as is now done!
Another immense improvement is the fence. We thank Bernice Clay for that. She regularly attended workshops on garden landscaping with Erma Purnell and me. At each workshop she would loudly announce “we don't need bushes and trees, we need a new fence.” The workshop organizers would patiently explain that she was not attending a fencing workshop. That did not quiet Ms Clay.
One day, some months later, the shaky old fence was gone and a new sturdy one appeared. Ms. Clay is no longer with us, but we remember her and her devotion to this garden when we see the fence. And we still wonder who arranged for and paid for this fence.
Much has changed in 30 years; we enjoy the artistic bed arrangement and water permeable walkway, this meeting area, and rainwater collection barrel thanks to donors.
Yes, we see changes.
But we still plant tomatoes,
Weeds still grow,
Friends and neighbors still meet in this space.
This garden is a reminder that life is precious,
And that we are all part of God's creation.
