Memorial Park and Columbarium

Just north of our church in a lovely wooded area is our Memorial Park. Within the Park is our Columbarium, a circular wooden structure that shelters marble-faced niches in which the remains of loved ones may be interred. Access is available over an intriguing bridge that swoops across a shallow valley near the shelter. Aesthetically designed and erected several years ago, by members of our church, to blend with its surroundings, it invites one to linger and relax while contemplating the natural beauty of God’s world. Our plans are to provide foot-paths and benches throughout the area in the near future to further enhance this experience.

 

Our beautiful Park came about in 1992 when our FFBUMC Men’s Group was looking for a long-term project. The church family suggested a picnic area in the woods north of the church. Plans were made.

 

A year or so later, the Benders and Barricks returned from vacation with photos of a columbarium taken at a church they had visited. Not knowing what a columbarium was, Louis Freeman, Dick Kellenberg, and John Edmiston visited Bella Vista United Methodist Church to see their Memorial area and columbarium. They returned with photos, forms, and all information needed to develop a Memorial area. FFBUMC Memorial Park started out as a Memorial Garden, until we realized that without water and a lot of hard work, a garden was not a good idea.

 

Glen Lundblad surveyed the area to establish the property lines and contour of the area. The survey, forms, and request for a permit to build a columbarium, and scattering area were sent to the proper State agency for approval. The area was approved for a columbarium and scattering area with no restrictions.

 

A church conference was called to present the concept of a Memorial Park, columbarium, scattering area, and meditation walk to the church family. Enough of the church family committed to be interred or scattered to make the project financially feasible. Don Cuatt and Dick Kellenberg made draft drawings of a chapel housing the columbarium and raised walk from the road to the chapel.  The project was approved by a majority vote of church family members present. The Memorial Park Committee directed the development and maintenance for all phases of the Memorial Park be financed from funds of those committing to be interred or scattered.

 

After a columbarium style and design was approved by those requesting interment, John Edmiston researched types and colors of granite and bronze covers for the niches. The first phase was ready to start.

 

A consecration service for the Memorial Park was conducted by Pastor Bonda Moyer.

 

Dick Kellenberg planned where the raised walk would go with the least number of trees being lost.  Bob Schrage cleared and leveled the walk entrance. Many hours were spent on construction of the walk by church members, too numerous to mention. After the foundation for the chapel was completed, Steve Swenson Construction assembled the chapel. Darrell Osborn completed the stonework for the chapel and scattering area.

 

As one approaches the chapel, you will see the beautiful pulpit and benches designed by Don Cuatt and built by Dick Kellenberg. The scattering area has a lovely iron gate designed by Dick Kellenberg and built by Louis Freeman. 

 

In the spring of 2008, the scattering area was completed by Steve Sutay, Dick Kellenberg, and John Edmiston.

 

The next phase will be the construction of a meditation walk, a stone walk from the chapel to the scattering area and electrical wiring for the raised walk.

 

The chapel in the woods houses a columbarium, benches and a pulpit, where the ashes of our church family can be interred. You will find the scattering area a short walk from the chapel.

 

 ---- We invite you to take a virtual walk through the Memorial Park of the Fairfield Bay United Methodist Church ----

---- by clicking here ----