A cross for the memorial garden

This Memorial Cross is given to the Glory of God and in Thanksgiving for our Beloved Parents and Grandparents Richard Coles Edmunds, Jr. Nancy Page Hall Edmunds Dedication for the new cross

Dillon Gwaltney

Sculpted cross now graces the memorial garden

A gift from the family of Dick Edmunds

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. JOHN 15:5

Richard Coles Edmunds Jr.— better known as Dick—was a faithful and active member of St. Stephen’s Church for more than 60 years. He served on the vestry, as Sunday school superintendent, and in outreach ministries, among other contributions. Late in life, he helped deliver Backpack Snacks to East End students. Dick died December 19, 2020, but his memorial service was delayed when some family members contracted Covid-19. At Easter 2021, his ashes were interred in the Garden of the Holy Spirit.

At the time of his memorial service, his family noticed that the memorial garden–while graced with lovely trees and shrubs, and a beautiful fountain added during the garden’s expansion several years ago–had no cross. The Edmunds family asked if they could make a gift of one. After consultation with St. Stephen’s vestry, the buildings and grounds committee worked with an awardwinning sculptor, Maurice Beane, who By Sarah Bartenstein works with steel, glass and marble to create architecturally inspired work for residential and commercial clients. His pieces are in many private and corporate art collections, including Markel Insurance Company, the Sydney and Frances Lewis collection, VCUMCV Hospital, and has been featured in national magazines such as House Beautiful and Metropolitan Home. This award-winning artist, a Virginia Commonwealth University graduate, was known to several parishioners. As the garden’s fountain uses a verse from the Gospel of John–“The water that I will give them will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life”–vestry member Martha Sherman suggested incorporating a vine with the cross, recalling John 5:15, “I am the vine, you are the branches,” a fitting image for a garden.

The Edmunds family is delighted that the design and materials complement the stone walls and reference the Celtic tradition that has been an important part of St. Stephen’s worship for many years. As Nancy Page Edmunds says, “It looks like it’s been there from the beginning.”

The Garden of the Holy Spirit is a cherished space at St. Stephen’s Church. It is the final resting place for many of the saints who have gone before us, as well as a tranquil spot for sitting in silence, meditation, or prayer. Many thanks to the Edmunds family for their generous and fitting addition to this holy place.