St. Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church Rose Garden

Did you know that the Old Rose Garden next to Jacksonville’s 1854 St. Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church on North 5th Street is not only a garden but also a cemetery?   

In March of 1960, the Medford Rose Society and the City of Jacksonville entered into an agreement to set aside the lot immediately north of the church for an Old Rose Garden.  Planted by the Medford Rose Society, the garden only contained varieties of roses that originated before 1867.  Many of the species were rare old roses, no longer on the market and priceless to rose fanciers.  It was visited by rosarians from through the northwest and Canada. 

However, the garden, like the church itself, fell into disrepair.  In 1978, Bruce Butte, a well-known local artist, organized a committee to repair the old church building for use as a traditional Episcopal (now Anglican) Church.  At the same time Don Neilson took on the garden restoration.  For the greater part of the next two decades, the Garden was under Neilson’s care.  The statue of St. Francis of Assisi was dedicated in September 1988.

In 1981, Rev. Paul Habliston, a retired Episcopal priest from Colorado had become the Rector of St. Andrews.  When Father Paul died in 1991, the City of Jacksonville gave permission for his cremated remains to be buried in the Rose Garden. His wife’s remains later joined him.

Today, the Old Rose Garden is not only a place where the Hablistons found peace, it’s also a place where Jacksonville residents and visitors can walk, sit, and meditate.