Six years after a devastating fire destroyed the Third Presbyterian Church in Chester, local arts and historical groups are reimagining it as a public mosaic garden, writes Kathleen E. Carey for the Daily Times.
“We can’t rebuild, but we can preserve what it is and transform the space into something that’s usable for the community,” said Tucker Rodkey, executive director of Legacy Arts Chester.
Along with the Chester Historical Preservation Committee, Legacy Arts Chester is working on the Cathedral Gardens Project to transform the remaining church space into an immersive outdoor environment featuring mosaic pathways, garden installations, sculptural seating, and storytelling elements from local artists and youth.
The fire left the historic building so damaged that restoring it would have cost tens of millions of dollars. Instead, Rodkey introduced the Cathedral Gardens concept last fall, drawing strong enthusiasm. Now in its first phase, the project is gathering bids from contractors.
Funding is expected to come from foundations, corporations, grantmaking organizations, and public support.
“On May 7, we’re hosting a Legacy Arts Chester benefit at the Tyler Arboretum,” said Rodkey, with part of the funds going toward the Cathedral Gardens Project.
Read more about the Cathedral Gardens Project in the Daily Times.
