For centuries, families buried their dead next to churches, in graveyards set aside for that purpose. In rural areas a number of these still exist, some carefully tended, others remaining only as sites marking the history of families long gone.

As of the recent past, downtown churches have no graveyards, so burial of the dead has been in cemeteries located within city limits or a few miles outside towns. However, columbaria, commonly known and used by members of Anglican Communion in Great Britain, are increasing in number in Alabama, and as in the past, they, too, are located adjacent to the church.

Original planning for the recently completed columbarium at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church began when the Rev. John Bagby was rector; and continued under the direction of the Rev. Polk Van Zandt, the present rector, who says the project became a reality due to the generous gifts of the people of St. Paul’s.

“The columbarium is actually a place of

burial for those who choose to be cremated. It has 58 niches and each niche will hold two urns. Sizes vary slightly according to variations in architectural dimensions,” he explained. “Interestingly, those who have chosen places selected those nearest to where they sit in St. Paul’s,” he added.

James and Joannie Hammond gave the lead gift, the enclosed area adjacent to the columbarium, which is named Hammond’s Clos.

The family of Roger ap C. Jones gave the columbarium garden and its entrance gate.

Barbara and Ronnie Leet gave all the brick, which is handmade.

The front gate is given in memory of James R. Carter.

Architect for the project was Robert Cole of Cole and Cole, Montgomery. Mark Martin, Selma, was the contractor, and Greg Bjelke, Four Seasons, was in charge of landscaping and planting.

Work actually began in March, and initially was quite involved, Van Zandt says. “A new drainage system was required, a new entrance had to be made from the Clos into the Parish House, a large oak tree that was rotting had to be taken down, and a smaller tree had to be moved before any surface work could be done.”

The finished product is beautiful. The courtyard is paved in blocks of Pennsylvania Bluestone and the brick wall encircling the Clos is capped with limestone. All new sidewalks have been laid and a handsome new entry way leads from the courtyard into the Parish Hall. Brilliant green grass surrounds the paving stones and edges a planted bed, shaded by a flowering tree, with ornamental shrubs and seasonal plants, now in bloom.

The actual courtyard will have new lighting and the magnificent stained glass windows of St. Paul’s also will be lighted.

According to Van Zandt, a celebration of the Clos will be held in September with other churches invited to participate. The actual dedication must wait until the next visit of the Diocesan Bishop of Alabama, Henry Parsley. Incidentally and not originally part of the plan, St. Paul’s now has a new air conditioning system. Fans are no longer needed.