Out of a season of great loss, St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Queens Village is blooming with new life—literally. Following the demolition of their sanctuary and the challenges of pandemic recovery, the parish has re-energized around a mission of renewal, resilience, and rootedness. With the support of Episcopal Ministries of Long Island, the congregation has launched St. Joseph’s Community Garden—a vibrant vegetable garden serving both the parish and the wider Queens Village community.
In 2024, the garden produced eggplants, beans, tomatoes, bok choy, lettuce, okra, sweet potatoes, and more—all shared freely with parishioners and neighbors. Building on that success, the church plans to expand the garden in 2025, with the leadership of a dedicated 7-member gardening team. Parishioners of all ages are invited to tend the garden, offering a hands-on encounter with the land, a deepened appreciation for creation, and a concrete way to address food insecurity in the area.
The garden is more than a source of fresh produce; it’s a symbol of revival and community healing. It transforms church grounds into a space of beauty, nourishment, and fellowship, with community celebrations during planting and harvest seasons. By growing food and relationships side by side, St. Joseph’s Community Garden bears witness to the Gospel through hospitality, generosity, and care for the earth.