Pastor Dave grows tranquil garden for St. Catherine's parishioners

LAKE MILTON

The Bible says there was an abundance of life in the Garden of Eden.

That legacy grows in an expansive garden at St. Catherine Church, where life abounds in the form of plants, bees, flying squirrels, chipmunks, geese and four peacocks.

The church at 1254 Grandview Road makes up Our Lady of the Lakes Parish with St. James Church in North Jackson. The Rev. David W. Merzweiler is pastor and gardener. The priest of 37 years grew up in a gardening family.

Pastor Dave, as he is called, has lived at St. Catherine rectory for 25 years. When he arrived, there was a backyard of grass. The garden started around a statue of the Blessed Virgin, which remains, but has been joined by plenty of plants.

Pastor Dave said he has green hostas that came from his mother’s house. “I love working in the garden .. getting my hands in the dirt.” He said he appreciates the imagery of God forming man out of clay. “There’s a sense of balance ... in a garden we’re in touch with what we’re made of ... spiritually and physically.”

The garden offers various seating areas where visitors can appreciate his labors. A pavilion, which sets on a 10-by-12-foot deck he built, provides space for chairs and love seat. The pavilion is the setting for an outdoor Mass at 9 a.m. Tuesdays followed by Bible study.

Read more about this tranquil place in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.