By Tammy Buchanan

JACKSON, Tennessee- Southern Magnolias, Tulip Poplars, Kousa Dogwoods, Willow Oaks and Sourwoods stand always ready to greet visitors entering the First Presbyterian Church campus. The visibly enchanting, tree-filled campus has also grown to become an arboretum and add to the educational and community ministry of the congregation. On July 25, 2010, the Arboretum at First Presbyterian Church earned approval as a Level 1, State Certified Arboretum by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council. Efforts to establish the arboretum are intended to preserve, enhance and perpetuate the care, beauty and ministry of the First Presbyterian Church campus.

Arboretum Development

In 2006, First Presbyterian Church members began the process of establishing an arboretum, an area designated to cultivate trees for educational, scientific, or aesthetic purposes. Another arboretum was being developed in Jackson and motivated the idea of an arboretum at First Presbyterian Church. Since church members have a tradition of planting trees, creating the arboretum came naturally.

The generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence E. Pigford, contributors of the land for the current church location, and the consistent tree planting by FPC Men’s Coffee Group and Richard Swaim Sunday School Class gave birth to the arboretum at FPC. Trees are planted as living memorials or to mark special life moments such as weddings and births. Tree planting provided the foundation to develop and sustain the arboretum. Also, the site is beautifully maintained by the property committee and church maintenance and grounds care staff.

Church members volunteered to inventory the existing trees, develop a planting plan for the grounds, create a tree succession plan and catalog the findings for archives and educational resources. Affiliated with such groups as Keep Jackson Beautiful (an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful) and Master Gardeners, the church members sought additional assistance from community resources. The University of Tennessee- Jackson Extension Office and Jackson Energy Authority Forestry Services verified difficult to identify tree species and shared instruction on elevating the quality of care to nurture the trees. The process of discovery founded friendships, revealed shared unity in environmental stewardship and provided new opportunities for youth participation.

Youth inspired by Presbyterian Voice article

Youth  Alex Crossett and Turner Spurlin both completed Arboretum related Eagle Scout projects.  Crossett installed tree identification plaques in 2008 (with the help of his father, Dr. Tim Crossett and friends-fellow troop members- Chirag Odhav and Price McKnight).   Spurlin planted 2 trees and installed plaques in spring 2010. Inspired by a December 2009 Presbyterian Voice article on Rhodes College re-establishing its arboretum with a GPS component, Heath Taylor recently completed his Eagle Scout project by adding a GPS feature for the Arboretum at FPC.

Two by Two for the Greater Good

Unique to this adventure is that another arboretum, Liberty Garden Park, is being established in Jackson at the same time as the one at First Presbyterian Church.  The Liberty Garden Park project also involved some of the church members and was a reminder how creation and nature parallels so many of God’s teachings. True to God’s well orchestrated plan and provision, the two sites contributed to a humbling process of learning and improving which brings good to the community and region.

Situated among 14.5 acres on Channing Way in North Jackson- Liberty Garden was also approved as a State Certified Arboretum. Quickly obvious, FPC and Liberty Garden could complement each other, be a small part of a greater whole and add value and benefit to the Jackson community. The 9.5 acres at FPC combine with the 14.5 acres of Liberty Garden for 24 acres of urban area nature settings.

Features like the Jackson Memorial Carillon and Carillon Tower at FPC, specifically define each site. Some of the FPC trees are over 200 years old, and inspire reverent, silent awe at their majestic presence. In contrast, the trees at Liberty Garden are very young and the park is a living memorial to September 11, 2001. Collectively, the two locations present over 120 identified trees. Plaques identify the trees with common and scientific names. FPC plaques have scripture verses while Liberty Garden plaques have Presidential and historical quotes, literary messages, and scripture verses. The scripture verses at both locations share inspiration through nature and serve as record that many of the trees living today are named in the bible. Historically, many of the trees living today have significant meaning in tools, boats and homes forged for the founding of America. Students benefit for Christian education, science, pharmacy, medicine, art, history and environmental study. Both locations are approximate to residential neighborhoods and the site paths are included in daily walks. Both locations are situated near a hospital community and provide places of quiet respite for prayer, comfort and healing. In both places, God is lovingly present.

Visit

As a ministry of First Presbyterian Church, the Arboretum is a creative and innovative way to share God’s love and glimpse God’s work. Hopefully visitors experience a place of beauty and peace and encounter God’s grace and love.

Those unable to visit in-person may visit the website.

First Presbyterian Church
1573 North Highland Ave.
Jackson, TN 38301
731.422.1591

www.fpcjacksontn.org