King of Glory community garden marks church’s years in Sylvania

7/29/2013
BY NATALIE TRUSSO CAFARELLO
BLADE STAFF WRITER
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    Mike and Nancy Goettner work their garden plot at King of Glory Lutheran Church. The plot has given them an opportunity to meet residents of nearby apartments as well as to grow their own vegetables.

    The Blade/Andy Morrison
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  • Mike and Nancy Goettner work their garden plot at King of Glory Lutheran Church. The plot has given them an opportunity to meet residents of nearby apartments as well as to grow their own vegetables.
    Mike and Nancy Goettner work their garden plot at King of Glory Lutheran Church. The plot has given them an opportunity to meet residents of nearby apartments as well as to grow their own vegetables.

    If you drive fast past King of Glory Lutheran Church at 6517 Brint Rd., you may not notice it. Slow down, and the flourishing community garden on the east side of the church grounds is hard to miss.

    A community garden itself is not a unique idea. But cultivating a garden as part of a 50-year anniversary present, not to the church celebrating the golden marker, but to Sylvania is a rare gift.

    “This is a thank you for allowing us to be here and an invitation to others to spend time with us,” said Matt Jurski, the church’s head trustee.

    Each month the church is doing something special to celebrate its years in Sylvania. When it came to the summer months, the idea of creating a garden to give back to the Sylvania community sprouted up in discussions. The church is thankful to the area and its people for allowing it to practice its faith freely. It is a blessing, Mr. Jurski said.

    Roger Smith, a church member for 20 years, tilled the land and Sylvania residents were invited to plant a plot.

    Church member Nancy Goettner, who harvests three plots with her husband, Mike, said the experience helped them learn how to garden.

    King of Glory Lutheran Church planned something special each month to celebrate its years in Sylvania. The community garden and related activities were chosen for the summer months.
    King of Glory Lutheran Church planned something special each month to celebrate its years in Sylvania. The community garden and related activities were chosen for the summer months.

    Their home has a small yard, which they wanted to reserve for their dog, so this gave them practice growing zucchini, squash, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

    It’s also given them an opportunity to be acquainted with residents of apartments nearby.

    “We have this land that we should share with others,” Mrs. Goettner said.

    The three-acre church campus’ unused sprawling greens were considered for senior housing and a skateboard park.

    “The community garden stayed in the forefront,” Mr. Smith said.

    The garden, 65 feet wide and 70 feet long, still has open plots. The church is hosting a vegetable exchange and donation from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays beginning August 3.

    Any produce leftover from the exchange will be donated to local charities, Mr. Smith said.

    For more information about the community garden, visit the church or call 419-882-6488.