Jim Thorpe church features a serene prayer garden

Walk behind the Lutheran Church of St. John’s in the Heights in Jim Thorpe and you’ll find a beautiful place of solace.

In 2014 the grassy area behind the church became a Prayer Garden.

A 3 ton granite statue of Angelica “The Garden Angel,” made by an artisan in India, oversees the serenity. You’ll notice a pink door on Angelica which holds a time capsule intended to be opened in 50 years which has details about those who started the garden.

An intricate black handrail and arbor made by the late Robert Hydro leads visitors to the peaceful garden.

This “quiet place of reflection and prayer” was founded by Irene Remmel.

Remmel had been to a funeral in 2013 which had a prayer garden and talked to the Church Council about using the “grassy backyard doing nothing.”

Pastor F. Peter Muhr, who retired in June, supported the idea.

Remmel “just had an idea” about a prayer garden and through passion and persistence she created the serene place. Every detail was well thought out and unique to the space.

A total of 121 engraved stones line the walkway. The stones, which vary in shape and size, are inscribed with various graphics, scripture and lettering, some in memory of a loved one. The cremains of 22 people are interred throughout the “burial bed,” with a serpentine style stone wall. A bronze plaque is inscribed with the names of those interred there.

Sapele wood from Africa was used to make the cross in the garden. This wood won’t warp in harsh Pennsylvania winters. The Lutheran Rose insignia on the cross was hand-carved by the late parishioner Doug Rontz. Hanging in a tree is a one-of-a-kind mosaic stone birdhouse that looks like a church, with stained glass windows and a copper steeple and roof.

Following the path through rose of Sharon, dogwoods, holly beds and eastern redbud trees visitors can walk to the Switchback Trail.

In 2017 a dwarf crabapple tree was planted alongside a black granite stone etched with the faces of Martin and Katie Luther in celebration of 500 years of reformation of the Lutheran Church.

The Men’s Ministry maintains the prayer garden and plants seasonal flowers. Anyone can visit the prayer garden and enjoy the peace and serenity.

The Lutheran Church of St. John’s in the Heights is located at 319 South Ave. Jim Thorpe.