Back in March 2024, parishioner of Brentwood Cathedral and chair of the parish Love in Action group, Heather came back from holiday feeling inspired. Having visited the Cathedral at Gran Canarias and seeing its peace garden, and noticing how truly peaceful and tranquil it was, Heather wanted to be able to replicate that in the Cathedral community.

So, with inspiration taken also from the Prayer Garden at St Teresa of Lisieux Parish in Lexden, Love in Action agreed what their next steps would be and how they would do it. Provided with a plot of land on the grounds of the cathedral by Fr John Harvey, the group did not waste any time – breaking ground in the same month.

Knowing that they had a small weather window (with new plants needing to be in the group by Autumn), Love in Action had a big task ahead of them: the plot needed clearing of turf/moss, as well as destoned, levelled and covered with 3 tonnes of shingles.

Originally, there was only a small group of diggers clearing the land, but then the parish held a “Dig Day” that meant lots of parishioners (who were not necessarily part of Love in Action) were able to join in and help.

Ellen Willmott’s Grave in the Peace Garden

 

With the digging completed, they needed to start looking for flowers. Ellen Willmott, a well-known Victorian and Edwardian horticulturalist, is buried on the same plot where this garden stands, so Love in Action knew they wanted to plant some Willmott roses as well as crocus flowers (the latter were donated as bulbs by Essex Wildlife Trust and planted by Ellen’s grave).

Funded completely by direct donations, the entire project cost approximately £3000. People in the community would pay for specific plants or pay for a dedicated bench, etc. Some donations also came from volunteers at Warley House.

 

 

 

The garden was completed in December 2024, with a dedication and celebration service held in May 2025.

 

In conversation with Heather, it became clear that the Peace Garden was not just about feeling calm. With a substantial cohort of Ukrainian refugees within the parish, the garden represents a community coming together to benefit everyone. The garden stands for anyone who wishes to spend time there, not just parishioners. At the garden you might find people visiting Ellen Willmott’s grave, the grave of a loved one, someone just looking for some quiet, or those wanting to pray by the statue of Our Lady.

On the success of the Peace Garden, Heather said:

“It is a very tangible example of what we do at Love in Action – a very visible sign of what the parish can achieve if we work together. It is important because, if people are invested in a project (even if they can only give half an hour to clear some weeds), it becomes their own.”

 

Have you got good news coming out of your parish? Get in touch with us: [email protected]