To celebrate its 50th birthday the church added a cloister [in the background] and a chapel [on the right] to the existing sanctuary [on the left.] These additions created a spacious courtyard framed on four sides by the church structures. A 10 foot wide curving walkway was added to connect the cloister with a glass walled gallery. The walkway is surfaced with gray slate and edged with cut-stone that matches the stone on the buildings. The width of the walkway permits marriage ceremonies to be conducted in the courtyard. A font-like water feature was created at the gallery end of the courtyard.

Understory plantings consisted of a mixture of evergreen shrubs [Magnolia, Yew, Elaeagnus, Holly]... flowering shrubs [Roses]... and shade and sun-loving perennials [Hosta, Heuchera, Daylilies, Black-Eyed Susans.]

The following image shows the entry to the cloister. The way it was positioned left a small area between it and the front walkway. This area was framed with Amur Maples that were underplanted with an informal "hedge" of White Meidiland Roses.

The Maples and Roses framed a small lawn area. About a year after this area was completed the church added a sculpture of a small girl releasing a dove.

Stepping into the cloister you make a right turn to see the arches of the cloister and the door to the sanctuary.

Just before you reach that door you can turn left and enter the courtyard.

About a year after completion I walked into the courtyard one day to take pictures. A teenage boy was sitting on the bench at the gallery end of the courtyard... playing a piece of classical music on a twelve string guitar. I said hello and asked how things were going. He said he came to the courtyard quite a bit to practice because it was such a serene place. His word, not mine. I still think that was one of the nicest compliments I've ever received.