Christ Lutheran Church’s “Love Grows Here” community garden in Hellertown is a multi-faceted organic only garden intended to provide fresh vegetables for those in need in the community as well as to teach responsible planting techniques.

Originally, the church had a garden half the size in the front. In October 2017, the Church started construction to move the old garden to a larger area in the back of the church property. The new site allowed for more crop planting and easier access for vehicles bringing supplies in and out.

A team of at least two dozen volunteers consisted of family and friends of the church built the new garden. In addition, the old beds which were made out of wood were replaced with aluminum siding donated by Kunsman Roofing with assistance from Kevin Gough. Each bed measures 12 feet long by 3 feet wide.

The garden project is spearheaded by Angela Drake who is the Community Garden Project Leader along with assistance from Nancy DeVogle and Lou Savant. According to Drake, the garden helps supply local food banks and two senior housing centers. Plans are also in the works to bring vegetables to homebound seniors.

In addition to donating fresh produce, Angela and the others help assist those who want to learn more about organic gardening. Topics covered include pest control, soil control, planting techniques, gathering, timing of harvests and ways to keep it organic by avoiding pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

Crops are grown between March and November and donations to the community are made between May and November. Crops are often changed and rotated. Some of the current set of crops include kale, lettuce, melon, snap peas, spinach, red cabbage, beets, cauliflower, carrots, lima beans, broccoli, cucumbers, egg plants, peppers, tomatoes, squash and blueberries.

In addition to the maintaining the community garden, volunteers at Christ Lutheran also make meals for New Bethany Ministries in South Bethlehem. The church also donates non-perishable foods to New Jersusalem Food Bank, helps build houses for Habitat for Humanity, holds bingo and social events for Seniors at the Front Street Apartments along with other various outreach activities.

Christ Lutheran Church is located at 69 Main Street in Hellertown.