St. Joseph Historic Tower Memorial Gardens

01/27/2024

In the spotlight....

Parishioner Daren Bobb speaks with Father Samy and committee member Mary Wyandt-Hiebert about ongoing progress of the Historic Tower Memorial Garden Project.

If able to help financially support this project, please reach out to St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Tontitown

The project will tie in the old church tower to the current church. Daren finds out about the project and shows you the plans.

08/27/2022

The arch design in the window cutout has been temporarily taken down so it can be powder coated.

It will take a few weeks for this to occur. But rest assure, it will be put back as soon as it is powder coated.

You may recall that it was put in place for all to see during the Grape Festival with knowledge that it still needed to be powder coated. Please share with others who may be concerned by its temporary absence. It’s all part if the plan and another step of progress.

08/02/2022

Progress…today the custom arch design featuring remnants of stained glass leading was put in place, just in time for the Grape Festival. The focal point of the centered chalice to remind us of the Eucharist and the surrounding grape vines from which the Blood of Christ is derived and in honor of the Catholic immigrants who built Tontitown.

In a few weeks, the design will be taken down for powdered coating, which will take about two weeks. It will then be reinstalled and take residence in its permanent home.

Great appreciation for the metal artistry of Casey Biggs of

Continued discussion is underway with regards to the upcoming Tontitown road expansion project. Hope to have more information in the months to come.

08/01/2021

MORE PROGRESS!

Today, the custom made railing that represents the former railing that once was at the steps of the tower has been installed.

Casey Biggs of BlackFlag Fabrications did an incredible job. Next, he will custom build the interior of the arch window to look as lead design of a stain glass window.

Stay tune....

07/10/2020

PROGRESS....
The glass is installed in all windows now. One more step to sealing and preserving the tower. Awaiting bids for the garden construction and proposed corner and entry signs. Once we have those, we can move to the next step of seeking approval, but we will need to show the money is available to move forward as well. If you haven't already sent in your donation, please do so in the near future. Thank you.

06/29/2020

Update...the glass for the windows in the tower has been ordered and is in...soon within the next two weeks the windows should have glass again to seal the tower and to help keep the elements out as we continue with the preservation process. Keep watching.

05/19/2020

“Dear St. Anthony please come around something is lost and it cannot be found.”

As we move forward, we are hoping to be able to find the unique and original railing that once adorned the stairway coming down from the steeple door.

We know and understand that prior to and as the old church was taken down, some things were given away. But what a charitable blessing it would be if someone actually had these railings and could please donate them to the garden project.

If you have found them, please private message this page and we will help arrange for their return to where they once stood in their glory.

Please join us in prayer and ask St. Anthony for his intercession to help us find the railings.

Thank you.

03/06/2020

Don’t forget to spring forward this weekend with Daylight Savings time. Speaking of springing forward, check out some of the progress made on preserving the tower.

Final landscape and architecture plans have been drawn. Now we need to show we have the money to move forward as well.

If you haven’t sent in your pledged support yet, please do. If you haven’t made a pledge, but would like to add your support, please do. Looking to share your tax return with a great cause, consider donating some toward the tower memorial gardens.

Thank you for your support.

12/14/2019

Do you know anyone who might have this rod iron railing? We believe that it may still be local. We’d love to have it donated back to the church to add to the steps as we create the memorial gardens. Please contact the church if you have information.

12/14/2019

Progress is happening! How very exciting.

12/14/2019

Progress is in the works. The tower has been painted. Stay tune for more work on the tower to come.

In the meanwhile, we are still accepting donations toward the Historic Tower Memorial Gardens project. What a great way to meet your end of the year giving goal.

Whether it is a one time gift or a gift pledged to be given over time, you can send your financial support in various ways:

1) Text to Give: text TOWER $amount to 479-888-5168

2) Online Giving: www.osvonlinegiving.com/1154

3) Mail in Gift: mail check (payable to St. Joseph Catholic Church) to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Memorial Gardens,
PO Box 39, Tontitown, AR 72770

4) Collection Basket: drop an envelope marked "Tower Gardens" with a check or cash into the collection basket at the weekend masses.

12/10/2019

What a great video shared on Facebook from Youtube. We look forward to the Memorial Gardens and perhaps the creator of this video will make a new one that shows the beauty of the gardens.

Financial support continues to be needed to complete the project. Thank you to all who have sent in your pledges. If you would like to contribute and haven’t yet, it’s a great time to get that end of year donation in.

St. Joseph’s Church in Tontitown, AR was demolished in 2017. However, because of its history, the bell tower and part of one wall was spared and will become ...