St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church reveals makeover in Milton

St. John the Baptist has had a makeover. That is, the Episcopal Church by that name in Milton has had the makeover. Acquiring a large neighboring property, the parish razed a deteriorating building and created a crisp, blacktopped parking lot with a white-stone border. Parishioner Scott Kresge, chair of the garden committee, decided what plants should be placed around the parking lot with an eye to year-round beauty.

The result was alternating creeping blue juniper, dwarf heavenly bamboo, dwarf crepe myrtle and other low-rise plants. The parishioners themselves did the planting in the first of many work bees. Around the church, parishioners then weeded, rototilled, planted flowers and mulched. They also pruned encroaching bushes and trees. To maintain a weed-free property, Kresge leads a work bee every two weeks. "It's really fun!" he says. Whether it is or not, enough volunteers always appear.

Father Tom White, rector, is happy with the new look. "Not only do we save resources by doing it ourselves, the work promotes unity and a sense of ownership. It's a win-win-win situation, and also enhances our welcome to visitors and regular worshippers alike."

For more information, go to www.saintjohnsmilton.org.