The Memorial Garden and Columbarium at St. James’ Episcopal Church is designed as a resting place for the ashes of deceased members and their families as well as an outdoor worship space for special occasions. A columbarium is a permanent structure with niches or compartments designed to hold the urns containing the ashes of loved ones. Our columbarium is located on the south side of the building overlooking the valley.
Our columbarium allows our members and their families the opportunity to have
their final resting place within the shadow of the Church that has been a central part of their lives. This sacred site of beauty and dignity is a place where loved ones can visit and meditate.
The columbarium eliminates the pressures of choosing a burial site, casket, vault, and monument. Planning the inurnment and memorial service will be much simpler since it can all be done at the Church. The cost of cremation and a niche in the columbarium are significantly less than the cost of a casket, burial site, and marker. This area emanates dignity and peace among the rolling hills of Carroll County. The design reflects the dignity, beauty, and tranquility appropriate for the resting place for those who have died.
It fulfills the Church’s mission to oversee the spiritual life of its congregation from baptism through life to death. 
Our columbarium is not intended to compete with commercial cemeteries, but is for the convenience of Church members, ministers and immediate families.
How can I arrange to purchase a niche?
Informational packets are available in the church office for persons with an interest in purchasing space in the Columbarium. The Rector will be glad to meet with individuals or families interested in knowing more about the theological and practical aspects of a Columbarium and the specific procedures concerning the Memorial Garden and Columbarium at St. James’.
What are the benefits of a church columbarium?
A columbarium ministry allows the church to fulfill the centuries-old obligation of the church to serve its members from baptism to death. As the Rite of Baptism welcomes members into the church community, the Rite of Christian Burial offers congregants a final homecoming and provides comfort to the living with the knowledge their loved ones are near their spiritual gathering place. This ministry allows St. James’ to satisfy the need for Christian burial, while bringing past and present together – in body and spirit. Those who have come before us remain part of the church community. The vast majority of columbaria are in Churches, representing virtually every Christian denomination.
Where did the word “columbarium” come from?
The word “columbarium” comes from the Latin word for dove or pigeon, and refers literally to a place where doves or pigeons live; if you will, “pigeon holes.”
Who may use the Columbarium?
The purchase of a right of use shall be available to members or past members of St. James’ and members of their immediate family and any ordained or diaconal minister of the Episcopal Church and their family. Requests for the inurnment of an ineligible person may be approved by the Vestry. The Vestry may authorize use of one or more niches to be used for financially distressed individuals.
How many niches are in the Columbarium?
It has 64 niches, each with the capacity to hold two urns.
Who administers the Columbarium?
The Columbarium is part of St. James’ Episcopal Church and functions under the authority of the Vestry. Operations are currently handled by the Parish Administrator.
How much does a right of use or niche cost?
Each niche, holding up to two urns, costs $1,000. The purchase of a right of use includes perpetual care. Niche assignments are allocated in accordance with the desires of each applicant on a first come, first served basis. This does not include the cost of cremation or urns.
Are there additional costs?
There are additional fees for the niche cover and engraving, as well as costs associated with the opening/closing of the niche as set forth in the current schedule of fees.