Anyone who missed the Primrose United Church service of dedication of its Meditation Garden had an opportunity to discover its aura of serenity last Sunday, Oct. 4, when the small church on 30 Sideroad at Highway 10 celebrated its 134th anniversary.

The garden is a nicely manicured area, with an impressive floral arrangement on the east side of the small wood-frame church, with an archway leading beyond the flower garden.

A 134th anniversary might be a rarity among rural churches, as congregations continue to dwindle - such that the once-thriving churches of nearby Horning's Mills have all closed. But, going into its 135th year, member Bev Parker says the church's number in attendance Sunday mornings is slowly growing. She didn't have a specific number, but said there were often about 30 in attendance.

Among the 30 at the recent garden dedication, there were tears of rejoicing as Shelley Buffitt - an internationally charted singer songwriter - performed The Garden, a song she had written especially for the dedication. In it, she described the garden as a place to meditate and reach out to God.

"It was just beautiful," said Ms. Parker. "She's been coming to the church only recently, but she's a wonderful person."

Primrose United was created as a Presbyterian church in about 1875. It was amalgamated with the local Methodist congregation as part of the amalgamation about 50 years later.

Now it is partnered with Trinity United Church in Shelburne and has been designated along with Trinity as a two-point Shelburne Pastoral Charge, ministered to by the Rev. Edward Bellsmith.

The garden was an ambitious undertaking for a small congregation. Although there was a grant from the Toronto Conference of the United Church of Canada, Ms. Parker said the project needed donations from various local businesses and individuals plus a lot of volunteer time for its completion.

"It is hoped that this garden will not only provide a colourful backdrop for wedding photos but more so as a place of beauty for one to pause and rest on one of the garden benches to meditate and reflect," Ms. Parker said.