What is a columbarium and who does it benefit?

A columbarium is a contemporary setting for the church cemetery. The setting allows for ease of visitation and for meditation and prayer. The columbarium for our church is composed of walls with niches (vaults) to store the ashes (cremains) of our church members and their families. A total of 336 double niches are available in Phase I and Phase II.

Niches in the columbarium are available for members, families, and ministers of First Presbyterian Church. Each niche holds up to two urns. Plaques in the memorial wall recognize members of our church family who are or will be located elsewhere.

Why at our church?

Interment on church grounds is a visible statement of faith in life eternal. It reminds us that the church ministers to the spiritual needs of its members - from baptism through life to death.

Purchase Information

Niche: A niche contains up to 2 urns and includes a cover, which is engraved with names, date(s) of birth and date(s) of death. The cost of one niche is $3,500. A deposit of $1,750 is required with the balance paid in 1 year.

Memorial Plaque: A memorial plaque can be purchased to recognize members of our church family whose remains are or will be located elsewhere. The cost of a memorial plaque is $500.

Chronicle

First Presbyterian Church is the only columbarium on Chronicle, an innovative online tool that provides up-to-date information on our available, reserved, and occupied niches. The interactive map allows you to visualize the Columbarium in a unique way.

Memorials for those who are already inurned can be purchased and placed on our Chronicle site for all to view. A portion of your memorial purchase will directly benefit the church.

Click Visit FPC Chronicle to view First Presbyterian's Columbarium on Chronicle.

Visit FPC Chronicle

Choose First Presbyterian Church Columbarium and zoom in to see the sections of the Columbarium.

If you would like to search available niches or memorial plaques, please click Advanced Search, Plot, and choose the status "Vacant". Zoom in on the interactive map and click the area of interest.

To purchase a niche or memorial plaque, please complete the appropriate Certificate below:

Columbarium Rules and Regulations

Project History

A committee, formed at the urging of the late Dr. William Hamilton, has spent more than ten years studying the concept of a columbarium at First Presbyterian and considering designs and policies. The committee visited columbariums at other churches, researched the need and feasibility, and worked with columbarium planners, McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, and Landscape Architect, Stewart Winslow. Our priority is to maintain the aesthetic integrity of our beautiful church campus.