In anticipation of the upcoming 200th anniversary of St. Joseph’s Church in Apple Creek, the area’s first-ever Country Garden Tour will take place on Sunday, June 22, to raise funds in preparation for the milestone celebration, which will take place three years from now.
Mike Erzfeld, who is helping to organize this month’s fundraiser, provided details about the Country Garden Tour, including how it was decided to hold the fundraiser and what is hoped to be accomplished.
“While the church itself, or the parish, will be celebrating its 200th anniversary, the present church was built in 1884, so the church itself is 140 years old,” he said. “Obviously, with any building that old, there are repairs and maintenance issues that need to be done, and the parish would like to have a lot of these things completed prior to the anniversary. So, this is really just the first step in trying to come up with different ways to raise money to do that. “I’m not sure who exactly came up with the idea of the Country Garden Tour, but I was approached about it by Mary Jane Buchheit. She originally asked me because not only am I helping organize the tour, but I have one of the gardens that is on the tour. They were talking about it, and I had been on quite a lot of garden tours in the St. Louis area, so I said, ‘If you need any help organizing it or need any ideas, let me know”
According to Erzfeld, there are six different gardens featured on the self-guided tour. While the touring hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., participants can tour the gardens in any order they choose. However, attendees are encouraged to visit the shrine at St. Joseph’s Church first because any necessary changes or updates to the itinerary will be posted there.
■ The first garden is The Shrine of Our Lady of St. Joseph, “The Waterfall Garden,” located at 138 St. Joseph Lane in Apple Creek. Sponsored by Eugene and Norma Lauck, the garden was originally used as a water source for the church rectory and features a natural waterfall that flows into a nearby cave. Starting in the 1950s and 1960s, the area transformed into the grotto it is today. On May 16, 1972, Father Schrammel celebrated the first Mass there. Since then, the shrine has drawn visitors, and people are welcome to pray and relax there at any time.
■ The second garden is “The Bluffs Garden,” located at 2752 PCR 538 in Friedheim. It is sponsored by Rollet Bros. Trucking Inc. Upon entering the property, participants will see a gorgeous lake to their left. After walking to the back of the house, you will see where the magic really happens. The view overlooking Apple Creek below has been described as “nothing short of stunning.” For those who can divert their gaze from the view long enough, a complimentary “S’mores Station” will be available before heading to the adjoining property. Both hot and cold beverages will also be provided.
■ The third garden is “The New Garden,” located at 2723 PCR 538 in Friedheim. Sponsored by Arbeiter & Welker, LLC, Attorneys at Law, the garden features beautifully landscaped beds surrounding the house. It’s hard to believe that the construction of the garden was completed less than a year ago.
■ Garden four is “The Hosta Garden,” located at 8725 Highway B in Biehle. The garden is sponsored by Jason’s Auto Body. The first thing many will notice about the property when walking around back is that, despite being situated off a busy road, one feels as though they are miles away in a secluded woodland. The main feature of the garden is the gazebo surrounded by more than 1,000 Hostas, each variety clearly labeled.
■ The fifth garden, sponsored by Liberty Glass Company, is “The English Garden,” located at 894 Highway A in Uniontown. More than 3,000 boxwood shrubs line the various planting beds that contain hundreds of perennials. There is also a water feature, and attendees can walk the Hornbeam Allee. The surrounding fields are where more than 900 blueberries grow.
Participants are also invited to visit a bonus garden located at 776 Highway A in Uniontown.
■ The “Vegetable Garden” is sponsored by Unique Ambiance Design. Several raised beds showcase a wide variety of crops. The property owner will be on hand to answer questions about vegetable varieties and provide growing tips.
Before the Country Garden Tour begins, attendees are invited to kick off the day with a Pancake and Sausage Breakfast served at St. Joseph’s Parish Hall, 138 St. Joseph Lane. The menu features pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit, orange juice, and coffee. Carryout is available. Diners are encouraged to make a freewill donation, with proceeds benefiting St. Joseph’s Church for its 200th Anniversary celebration.
There will also be a plant sale at The Garden, located at 894 Highway A in Uniontown. Hundreds of perennial plants in various varieties will be available for sale.
Asked how successful he thought the Country Garden Tour would be, Herzfeld said, “Well, it is off the charts successful. Whenever we originally came up with the idea, we didn’t know what to expect. We knew that if it was really going to raise money, the ticket sales would certainly help, but the most funds would come through sponsors. We originally thought that we could get maybe 12 or 15 sponsors to help support this, and we didn’t even know if we’d be able to get that. We ended up with almost 70 and they all donated anywhere between $100 all the way up to $3,000.
“I think the Country Garden Tour was a neat idea, and I think people are responding to it, but it’s really because of what we’re raising money for. I think we could have tried to organize a peanut brittle drive, and if it’s for the 200th anniversary of the church, I think that still would have gone well. I think the garden tour is healthy because it’s interesting. We are just blown away by the community support. We also want to compliment the parish because the parishioners have stepped up like I can’t believe. Everything is 100 percent volunteer.”
While tickets are nearly sold out, anyone interested in attending the Country Garden Tour can reach out to the St. Joseph’s Church office to buy tickets, which are priced at $25 per person. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Perry County Heritage and Tourism office.
Country Garden Tour sponsors include Presenting Sponsor: Buchheit; Garden Sponsors: Kenny and Rhonda Buchheit, Jason’s Auto Body, Eugene and Norma Lauck, Unique Ambiance Design, Liberty Glass Co., Arbeiter & Welker, LLC Attorneys at Law, and Rollet Bros. Trucking Inc.; Orchid Sponsors: Aqua Adventure Super Wash, Baer Engineering, Henry Rose Farm, Hull Trucking, Clarence Meyer, Ponder Built Construction, Seyer Auction Service, Re/Max Realty, Danny and Becky Winschel, Dale and Joyce Triller and Vernon and Patricia Berkbigler; Rose Sponsors: Chalmer and Dianne Baer, In Memory Of Norma Balsman and Herman Balsman, BDC Farms, D7K Masonry, Earthworks, First State Community Bank, Ford & Young Funeral Home, Kohlfeld Distributing, Jessica Krauss/Arnsberg Insurance, Mary Jane’s Burgers and Brew, Peoples Bank, Mike and Kim Ponder, Susan Reinagel, Mr. and Mrs. Lin and Fran Scholl, SEMCO, TG Missouri, The Bank of Missouri, 3 Eagles Distributing, Michael Welge and Betty Welge, David and Teri Welker, Michael and Bonnie Welker and Vintage Auto; and Daisy Sponsors: Neal and Mary Bachmann, Stan and Debbie Balsman, Lawrence and Shirley Buchheit, Margaret M. Buchheit, Mary Jane Buchheit, Dave and Rosie Danker, Lori Erzfeld, In Memory Of Lunette Erzfeld and Herman Erzfeld, Ralph and Jill Hoehne, In Memory Of Carl and Dora Kohlfeld, In Memory Of Leo and Blanche Kohlfeld, Dan and Peggy Leible, Pauj and Jane Pohlman, Jon and Sandy Schnurbusch, Marty Scholl, Rocky and Laura Schumer, Susan Stelling, Donnie and Janet Tiehes, Keith and Kathy Trapp and In Memory Of Bernie and Margie Winschel.
