It’s pumpkin season, and two area churches have pumpkin patches planned for the month.
Marvin United Methodist Church on Belair Road is bringing back its annual Pumpkin Patch after taking a year off due to COVID-19.
“We have the perfect place for them,” said Beverly Courson, president of Marvin Ladies, which is overseeing the ongoing pumpkin patch event.
About 200 pumpkins are due to arrive and be unloaded Saturday, complemented by cheerful fall decorations. Marvin United acquires its pumpkins via the Pumpkin Patch Fundraisers organization, based in Greensboro, N.C. The pumpkins are actually delivered by truck, however, all the way from Farmington, N.M., where they are harvested in cooperation with the Navajo Nation.
Marvin UMC started the pumpkin patch about 25 years ago at the suggestion of Alan Smith, its pastor at the time, who thought selling them would be a good way to produce money for the church’s various ministerial operations, which is what the patch raises funds for to this day.
“He told us about it,” said Courson about Smith’s introduction of the idea. “That it would be a good way to advertise our church and raise money for missions.”
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The fall has finally arrived, and with it come all manner of seasonal observances complete with images of harvest time. Some local churches draw upon this with their own festivities, no less so in Columbia County and throughout the CSRA.
The pumpkin patch at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in North Augusta is also celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Pumpkins arrived at the Martintown Road church on Oct. 10.
“Our grounds are covered in orange every October,” it says on its website, also using the patch to raise money for missions, and the event even entails story time for local preschoolers.
The church canceled its patch last year as well.
Pumpkins will be available at St. Bart’s through Oct. 29.
The pumpkins at Marvin United Methodist Church’s annual Pumpkin Patch are complemented by autumn-themed decorations, such as this display from 2019. Photo from Marvin UMC’s Facebook page.
Marvin United Methodist is located at 4400 Wheeler Road in Martinez. Its Pumpkin Patch will be available for kids and adults alike starting Oct. 16, lasting until the end of the month. For more information visit its website at https://www.marvinchurch.com/.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering Columbia County with The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
