CHARLESTON — An old well, which outlived its usefulness at Sacred Heart Church in Charleston, has new life.
A prayer garden was blessed Aug. 11 by Bishop Anthony B. Taylor and the well was turned into a fountain. During the bishop’s visit, a handicapped entrance and Ten Commandments stones were also blessed.
The idea of building a prayer garden and rebuilding a handicapped entrance was tossed around for many years, according to Deacon Mark Verkamp, a member of the building committee. At the center of the prayer garden is the fountain that sits below the feet of the statue of the risen Christ. The fountain is surrounded by plants and flowers, landscaped by Barbara McGuire and other parishioners. Surrounding the fountain are a natural stone patio and several stone benches.
“In the late 19th century when Sacred Heart Church was built, people got to church on horseback and used the well to water their horses before the journey home,” Verkamp said. “Now that it’s outlived that purpose, we decided to provide water for the fountain by pumping it from the well.”
Verkamp said an increasing number of elderly members use wheelchairs and walkers.
“We had a long metal ramp that went into the sacristy, but once people got into the sacristy they couldn’t get down the altar steps to sit in the pews,” he said.
The wide cement ramp leading to the west entrance of the church has a long, graduated incline and a metal railing for those using walkers, leading to two wide glass doors near the rear of the church.
The 30-by-36 stone tablets bearing the Ten Commandments sit in front of the church, directly on State Highway 22, Charleston’s main road. They were donated by Paul and Barbara McGuyer.
After two years in Charleston, Father Patrick Watikha, AJ, was officially installed as pastor.
“Jesus gave us pastors as shepherds,” Bishop Taylor told the congregation. “The Lord is our shepherd, and the rest of us are like sheepdogs. I’m the sheepdog for the diocese, and Father Patrick is the sheepdog for Sacred Heart.”
Father Watikha, a Ugandan priest who is a member of the Apostles of Jesus, said, “I’m very happy to be here. It’s a very good parish.”
Because of its proximity to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, he has also led some services for students on campus and in their new campus ministry house.
During a reception following the installation and the blessing of the new construction, parish religious education students and members of the youth group entertained the bishop and parishioners.
“Father Patrick is a great pastor; he’s good with everybody,” Verkamp said.
