A fire-scarred church in Chester is becoming something unexpected: a lush mosaic garden open to the entire community.
The effort to transform the former Third Presbyterian Church at 9th and Potter streets into Cathedral Gardens is already underway.
Volunteers recently descended on the long-vacant property armed with chainsaws, rakes, and wheelbarrows to begin clearing the way for something new, reports Madeleine Wright for CBS News Philadelphia.
The historic church has sat empty since May 2020, when a suspected arson fire left it severely damaged. Rather than attempt a costly rebuild, estimated at $5 million to $7 million, organizers are pursuing a different vision entirely.
Tucker Rodkey, executive director of Legacy Arts Chester, is leading the project in partnership with the Chester Historical Preservation Committee, which owns the property.
His plan is to turn the 14,000-square-foot site into a public mosaic garden featuring sculptures, flowers, winding pathways, and gathering spaces for weddings, jazz performances, and community events, all for an estimated $500,000.
Organizers are also exploring the addition of a coffee or ice cream bar to draw in visitors and keep the space lively.
“This is a much more cost-effective strategy, but also is super accessible for the community,” Rodkey said. “They’ll have a place that’s beautiful, that’s peaceful, that people can come and enjoy with their families, that classes can come to, and groups can come to.”
Supporters say the project represents an opportunity to turn a symbol of loss into a place of beauty, creativity, and community pride.
Cathedral Gardens is more than a renovation in Chester; it’s a community reclaiming something lost. Read the full story on CBS News Philadelphia to see the vision coming to life.
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