The Garden of the Holy Innocents is a unique burial section within the Catholic Cemeteries of Columbus. Although it is located at Resurrection Cemetery in Lewis Center, Ohio, it serves our entire Central Ohio area by providing a dignified and sacred resting place for infants who were miscarried or full-term infants who died and were cremated.
Fr. Homer Blubaugh,
chaplain for Back in His Arms Again ministry,
blessed The Garden of the Holy Innocents on April 12, 2014. Over the years, thousands of parents have chosen this consoling option to bury their babies. It is the final resting place for nearly 4,000 babies.
The Garden of the Holy Innocents is available to any parent free of charge. Cemetery staff will go to any hospital in
Columbus to take the infant into their care, or parents may bring their
baby to the cemetery if the miscarriage occurred at home. At a time of
heartbreaking loss, the Garden of the Holy Innocents provides a family with a
peaceful, prayerful place for healing.
A Visual History
The Garden of Holy Innocents suffered major, unrepairable storm damage in 2023.
This visual history walks through its original state, the storm and its current state, and our vision for the future.
We ask you to join us in honoring these lives by supporting the garden's renewal.
2014
Created with the Feast of the Holy Innocents in mind, this tranquil garden was blessed on April 12, 2014, by Father Homer Blubaugh, chaplain for Back in His Arms Again ministry.
2014-2022
The Garden of the Holy Innocents has been a consoling refuge, providing over 3,500 babies a dignified and sacred resting place. Available to any parent at no charge, our dedicated staff extend their support far beyond the confines of our cemetery, offering to take infants into our care from any hospital in Columbus.
2023
March 2023 marked a challenging chapter for The Garden of Holy Innocents when a fierce storm inflicted significant damage upon this hallowed space. The original statue was beyond repair and was removed from the grounds.
2024
Recognizing the importance of this sanctuary, Catholic Cemeteries of Columbus is committed to not just restoring but enhancing the Garden of Holy Innocents. Enhancements will include a more resilient statue of Our Lady with Child, ensuring a perpetual symbol of hope and protection. A permanent memorial wall will be erected, alongside rejuvenated landscaping, serene benches, and a contemplative path, enriching the space for reflection and remembrance.
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Join Us in Our Renovation Campaign
CATHOLIC CEMETERIES OF COLUMBUS IS TAKING ON A RENOVATION OF THE GARDEN OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS.
This sacred area needs renovation. The original donated statue was not meant to withstand years of wind and weather and needs to be replaced. The original bricks are settling, and the landscaping is overgrown. The proposal is to add a new statue depicting “Our Lady with Child,” new memorial bricks, landscaping, a shaded structure, benches, and a path. The project budget is $110,000 with an added fund created to pay for continued upkeep of the space and expansion.
The Garden of the Holy Innocence is not complete but we would like to acknowledge those businesses that have donated towards the renovations:
The Catholic Foundation Mt. Carmel Foundation Oakland Nursery St. John Baptist Church Good Samaritan Ministry at St. John Neumann Catholic Church St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic Church Knights of Columbus #10863 | St. Brigid Council Knights of Columbus #11445 | St. Michael Council
Thank you to the families and individuals who have generously donated.
We are currently at $47,000.00 of the $110,000.00 goal.
PLEASE JOIN US IN THIS MISSION.
You can help a mourning family by donating to the beautification of this peaceful place. Please join us in supporting the Garden of the Holy Innocents at Resurrection Cemetery. There will be opportunities for recognition if you are interested.
