Archive Article: Getsemane Gardens in New Zealand. 19 Dec 03.
December 23, 2008

European cathedrals developed stained glass windows as “visual aids”. They told Bible stories, which members of the congregations could “read” during the service. I have just returned from a conference New Zealand, held at Wellington University’s historic old library. That has a stained glass window telling the story of New Zealand’s participation in World War I.

The next part of my lecture tour took me to Christchurch, on the South Island. While there, I visited the Gethsemane Gardens on the outskirts of the city of Christchurch. The Gardens tell the Bible story in flowers. Bev and Ken Loader bought the then isolated land near the top of Clifton Hill in 1957. This was thought of as just grazing land. But they eventually made their living as market gardeners. The land has a “micro climate” – a weird aspect of nature that has, over the thousands of years, meant that the top of the hill has become incredibly fertile with over four feet of topsoil.

In 1987, Bev and Ken Loader opened a perennial flower nursery. The gardens now cover four acres. They portray the Christian message in variety of ways.

The St Cecilia Chapel is in the middle of the Gardens and is available for weddings, baptism, funerals and other services. It looks out over the sea and across to the mountains of the Southern Alps.

A central building, based on the colours and form of Moses’ Tabernacle, is used as a reception venue or tearooms, seating up to 70 people.

The Jerusalem Garden depicts the life of Jesus from His birth to His resurrection.

The Prayer Garden contains the Lord’s Prayer written in box hedging. People are invited to walk up a small tower and look down on the gardens to read the prayer.

There is a Rosary Maze spelling Jesus’ name in flowers and shrubs.

There is another large garden laid out to spell “Gethsemane”.

The entire site, with the appropriate name of Revelation Drive, has been financed in a very creative way. When Bev and Ken Loader bought the land, it was just deserted grazing land. They were able to finance their Christian vision by selling off lots for housing development. Therefore a small suburb has grown up around the lower part of the hill. It has become a very fashionable location to live. Bev and Ken are still working on the site. Additional facilities are being created. When they need the additional finance, they simply sell off some of the sub-division.

On the morning I called in, they were both working in the gardens, tending the flowers and trees. They are a quiet, modest unassuming couple – with an inspired and inspiring vision.

Their labour of love – a “romantic garden with a Christian theme” – has become a major attraction in Christchurch. While I was there, there were various events being organized.

This Advent season – the arrival of Jesus – is often obscured by crass consumerism. Some people overlook that “Jesus is the reason for the season”. The Gethsemane Gardens – like the old cathedral stained glass windows – are a reminder of the importance of Jesus for all of us.

Broadcast Friday 19th December 2003 on Radio 2GB’s “Brian Wilshire Programme” at 9pm