Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die…” 

John 11:25

Happy Sunday, friends. I will begin with my new favorite photograph of our house here in Tarboro (above). I took it from the old cemetery behind our church, where I had been asked to take some photographs for the new website.

This is the first time Rebekah and I have served at a church with a cemetery. And this one, no surprise, has a particularly interesting story that’s worth sharing.

The town of Tarboro originally set aside the entire block – Saint Patrick, Saint Thomas, Saint David and East Pitt – as a burial ground for early settlers (and who was “Pitt” you may ask? I don’t know; all I can tell you is he was no saint..!)

So in 1874 when our congregation was first organized, the northwest corner was deeded to “Tarboro Presbyterian Church” to build a place of worship.

The fledgling congregation erected what was known as a “Carpenter Gothic revival” building. This steeple (left, one of four originals) has been preserved on the grounds as a memorial to beloved member and commissioned lay pastor Peggy Rogers Youngblood Leggett.

1909 Sanctuary:

In 1909, the current sanctuary was completed and the church renamed “Howard Memorial” in honor of Judge Howard and his wife, Anna. By 1954, a new educational building had further expanded the footprint. Then – in 2010 – the Town of Tarboro deeded the entire site (which was not, apparently, being maintained in good order) to HMPC for use as a thoughtfully designed Memorial Garden, including the restoration and maintenance of Old Town Cemetery.

Today, Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church is surrounded by lovely parklike memorial gardens. The landscaping includes both a columbarium wall that blends into the the existing hardscape and The Memorial Stone, where ashes can be scattered.

A great deal of thought, creativity, planning, hard work and financial commitment has gone into making sure that the gardens around Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church reflect both respect for the past and an ongoing commitment to faithful stewardship of the property.

A series of wrought iron gates, a low brick wall, and plentiful garden benches ensure that the campus is – as member Edward Roberson wrote – “a tranquil green space, highlighting the cemetery’s urban park significance.”

Our church grounds are doing a good job of preaching the message that defines life inside the building too! Rich with history, full with faith, lovingly maintained, accessible, welcoming, and clearly speaking the message that, “Jesus is the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in (him) will live, even though they die…”

And these are the winter months; I can’t wait to see what this place looks like in the other three seasons – DEREK