Cemetery
The service on the occasion of death ordinarily should be held in the usual place of worship in order to join this service to the community’s continuing life and witness to the resurrection. The service shall be under the direction of the pastor. Others may be invited to participate as leaders in the service at the discretion of the pastor. -- From the Directory For Worship of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) If you have experienced the death of a loved one, please call the church office at the time of death, and the pastors and staff will guide you through the funeral planning process. The pastors along with the director of music will also walk you through the form and order of the service.
As you consider burial or cremation, please keep in mind that Red Clay has a beautiful memory garden in addition to its historic cemetery. The Red Clay Creek Church Cemetery is located next to the church along McKennans Church Road. The cemetery has existed since before the American Revolution with its earliest known gravestone dating back to 1766. Many of the graves are now cataloged and searchable at FindaGrave.com. The cemetery is administered and maintained by the Cemetery Company, which was incorporated in 1865. Since its original incorporation the cemetery has added land through purchases or gifts on five occasions. The cemetery now comprises approximately 12 acres. In 1920, by-laws were written and officers elected so that a fund for perpetual care of the grounds could be established. A new area was constructed in 2006 for the burial of cremated remains. Church members interested in the purchase of lots should review the documentation provided by clicking the button and/or contact Dave Rada at
Memory Garden
In 1990, Red Clay dedicated the Memory Garden as an alternative to the traditional use of the Cemetery. The concept of a memory garden arose after several Red Clay families suffered the loss of a loved one and sought a different way to memorialize them. A task force was appointed by Session in 1986 to investigate the concept. After many planning sessions, a fund-raising campaign was launched to raise the funds to create the garden. In the intervening years the garden has provided a beautiful entrance to our Sanctuary.
Purpose
The Memory Garden provides Red Clay members and their immediate families with a peaceful place to remember loved ones, to reflect and meditate, to educate and celebrate. It is a place, on church grounds, for the placement of cremains or for a memorial service for loved ones. A bronze nameplate is installed on the Garden Monument for each subscriber. By its 30th anniversary in 2020, the names of 122 loved ones had been installed on the Memory Garden Monument.
If you have experienced the death of a loved one or if you wish to reserve a place for the future, please click on the links below. Applications and Rules can also be obtained by visiting the church office.
Memory Garden Committee (2024)
Marcia Kelly, Chairperson
Mark Cozine
Kathe Worrell
Please contact the church office or one of the committee members if you have additional questions or would like to join this committee.