We've all heard it from parishioners, guests, and visitors to St. Mary's: “What beautiful grounds you have!” Yes, it’s true.  But often we take that beauty for granted without realizing what it takes to keep the grounds that way.

Within St. Mary’s walls, we have just over 18 acres of land that we use and maintain. Our buildings take up about four-tenths of an acre; the roads and parking lots account for just over 2 acres; and the remaining grounds are almost 16 acres.

Maintaining those 18 acres is a year-round job, whether it's the dead of winter with roads and parking lots covered in snow or the height of summer when 15 acres of grass need to be cut every week.

This year began with the infamous Blizzard of 2026, which dumped 36 inches of snow on St. Mary's.

Our grounds’ budget for 2026, included $5000 for storm-related expenses.  Needless to say, when the vestry passed the budget in December 2025, we didn’t anticipate needing to plow almost 2 ¾ acres of pavement out from under three feet of snow. 

And we didn’t. We plowed only what was necessary to keep St. Mary's open and running — about 2 acres of roads and parking lots.

The cost? A staggering $$13,714.58.

That’s right.  One storm cost three times what we’d budgeted for the whole year for storms!  Fortunately, when one parishioner heard about the cost of the plowing, he stepped forward with  $5000 to help offset the costs.

As the seasons changed, we turned our attention to tending the grass and trees. From May through September, acres of grass have to be cut, and we maintain the equivalent of 32 half-acre lots — mowing the grass every week and pruning bushes and trimming trees as needed. WOW!

The cost so far this year? $37,500.

We are merely stewards of these grounds, caring  for them for this generation and those to come.  During our time here, we reap the benefits of that stewardship:  outdoor worship, funerals, quiet walks, and the opportunity to enjoy God’s creation in such a beautiful place and to share it with others.

Keeping St. Mary's grounds beautiful takes time, hard work, equipment, and, yes, money. The next time you experience that beauty, remember that it is your generosity that makes it all possible.

Because you give, St. Mary's is and will be a beautiful and welcoming place for all.