Announcements

Christians have been buried within the community of the Church since the first century. Symbolic of the eternal union among ancestors, the living and those to come, the Columbarium of First Presbyterian Church serves as a resting place for the remains of those who have gone before us. It is a consecrated place of memories for loved ones and friends who are part of the Body of Christ.

Located outside in the patio area between the Dunham Chapel and the Education Building, our Columbarium will offer individual or ‘companion’ niches. Each niche holds one or two urns containing cremated remains. On the front of each niche is engraved granite with the full name of each individual and the dates of his or her life inscribed.

With an exterior of black granite and brick, surrounded by greenery and lush flowers, the Columbarium creates a dignified, quiet place of peace and meditation in this private garden. It also serves as an intimate setting for more personal memorial services and times of quiet contemplation.

The Columbarium is financially self-supporting; funded through the sale of niche space.

Applicants eligible for a niche in the Columbarium must be current or past members, ministers or former ministers of First Presbyterian Church. Immediate family members are also eligible.

Niches measure 12” x 12” and hold up to two standard size urns. The fee for each niche is $2,850. Families usually reserve niches in advance of the death of loved ones when a thoughtful decision can be made. Columbarium packets are available at the Connection Center.

For additional information on reserving your niche and the governing of the Columbarium, contact the office of the Ministry Executive at 225.387.0617.

Following Jerry Stovall’s presentation on our Columbarium at our recent congregational meeting, we received several inquiries and many of you picked up informational packets. Since then we have been busy! We will begin construction as soon as we have thirty (30) subscribers. We are halfway to our goal. If you have given this serious consideration, now is the time to act. Contact Barry Phillips or Sherry McKinley at the church office. They will give you all the information you need and answer any questions you have. Barry and Sherry report that the process of securing a Niche is not only quite easy, but without exception everyone who has subscribed has done it with great joy and peace, knowing that their church home will be their family’s “Place of Memories.”  Call 387-0617 or email to barry@fpcbr.org or sherry@fpcbr.org.