Sunset Community Garden

When one door closes, another opens. In 2019, Grace Bible Church made the painful decision to end its ministry at its Sunset Road location. The Chapel, which developed a close relationship with Grace Bible Church, acquired the vacated church and established the Sunset Ministry Center there. With inside church renovations finished, Pastor Paul Klouse, who confesses to having a bit of a green thumb, turned his attention to the outside sunlit field. The pastor envisioned a garden tended by church members with special needs.

An idea is only an idea if not implemented. So next came the tough part. Klouse and his team secured permits and initiated the design phase, which called for 17 beds raised and far enough apart to accommodate wheelchairs. The installation of fencing and a sprinkler system followed. Joe Lelinho, Liberty Science Center’s beekeeper, supplied the know-how and some beehives for the creation of an apiary for bees and honey. Companies generously donated or discounted goods and services.

Klouse sees how the horticulturists love the tactile nature of gardening and benefit from spending the day outdoors. Their favorite plantings include tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, strawberries and a variety of flowers. In addition to learning gardening skills, the growers have learned how to be stewards of the environment. The garden is organic with pesticides banned and waste composted.

“Our gardeners get to keep some of what they grow for themselves and in keeping with our values, they donate food to their neighbors,” says Klouse. “It makes them feel so good to do that. The pride they have in their plants is unbelievable. It adds value to their lives.”

What is next for the Sunset Community Garden? Plans are already underway for the planting of an orchard on a 100 X 175-foot section of land adjacent to the garden. In keeping with being a good neighbor, the pastor plans an aesthetically pleasing project with curb appeal.