Garden Church recreates landmarks from Jerusalem

He hopes to bring them closer to God. For 30 years, it has been the Rev. Bryan Crow s dream to build an indoor outdoor chapel to resemble biblical landmarks in Jerusalem. In the beginning of August, he and the Anaheim Hills Garden Church members will finally see this project reach its genesis. Crow said the church, which sits on a hill, is the perfect setting, for this miniature Holy Land and permanent sanctuary. It was an idea borne 30 years ago when he realized Southern California s climate resembles that in Jerusalem. Church members such as Cindy Maddox are excited about making this church, which is a garden, more distinctive. I think it might draw new people in. Some people don t have the means to go to Jerusalem. Soon, people can go there and see Jesus life beginnings, said Maddox, who s never been to Jerusalem, but would like to go. The constnictimi includes a replica of the Garden Tomb, believed by some to be the burial plac grove where Jesus was said to pray before his crucifudon; and die Hill of the Cross, the skull shaped area where Jeans is have been crucified. A stream representing the Jordan River will be completed by Easter, with the garden to follow by late 1999, officials said. Jimmie Robeson says the biblicallandmark, scheduled to open Sunday, will spiritua connect her more to God. I think it s terrific. I think anytime you do anything to remind you of Jesus Christ s beginning, you feel closer to him. I (would) feel a kinship, said Robestm, who s been attending the church for five years. Robeson, who has lived in Southern California for 10 years, thinks you should be able to bask in the sun during worship. We re so privileged to have wonderful weather in California. We need to have outdoor worship, she said. Nie indoor outdoor chapel is to seat about 300 people. The chapel will be the first permanent building for the church. For nine years, It (the chapel) is a beautiful, casual outdoor place to worship and study, he said. His City Council approved zoning for the chapel Ju ly 14. As far as Crow knows, there is no other chapel around like the one to be built. The idea was spariced by church trips to Jerusalem. Crow has not received any opposition to the construction of me chapel.