Memorial Garden
NEW ADDITION TO THE FOUNTAIN WALL
During routine garden maintenance, long-forgotten grave markers were rediscovered outside the church building. W.Parke Heston (1901-1975), Grace C. Heston (1902-1973), Harry D. Winsmore (1952), and Bell B. Winsmore (1969) were early, influential parishioners of Christ Church in the heyday of church development and construction.
After the rediscovery, with Vestry’s approval, four wall plaques were ordered and place in the Memorial Garden, located on the fountain wall. These plaques are there for our church community to remember these four dedicated and loyal church members.
From the booklet The First Hundred Years, we have learned that the Hestons lived on Welcome Lane in Ridley Park and they always wanted to be buried on the church grounds. They were very dedicated to the church and contributed greatly both personally and financially. Mr. Heston served as Rector’s Warden, and served on Vestry. Mrs. Grace Heston was a faithful member of the church choir who sang soprano. In fact, the Hestons paid for the original church organ!
Throughout The First Hundred Years, quotes can be found proving the involvement and dedication the Hestons had for Christ Church. They are part of the Great Cloud of Witnesses, a term that comes from Hebrews to describe those who have actively lived a life of faith, that are part of the storied past of Christ Church and our connections to Ridley Park
The captions of the photo to the left in The First Hundred Years reads, “Ground-breaking ceremonies for the new Parish House, 1957. Assisting Father Bill are George Derbyshire (at far left), Parke Heston and (at right) Earle Deppich.”
All information obtained was taken from The First Hundred Years Christ Church Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, published November 1979. The history was written by Neil M. Purves. Thank you to Judy Yorke and Jane Bendit for their collaborative effort on this project.