Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Bring us, O Lord God, at our last awakening into the house and gate of heaven to enter into that gate and dwell in that house, where there shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light; no noise nor silence, but one equal music; no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession; no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity, in the habitation of thy glory and dominion, world without end. Amen.

- John Donne

Cremation is recognized as entirely proper within the Anglican Communion as it does

not conflict with the doctrine of the Resurrection of the Body and is theologically appropriate, ecologically sound and economically sensible. Accordingly, St. Mark's Columbarium was established by and for members of the parish and their relatives. Its site is located along the north wall of the chapel and just east of the education building, where the multi-level landscaping and design provides a quiet and beautiful setting for prayer and meditation.

It will always be a place set apart for this special purpose and will be perpetually cared for through the work of the Columbarium Committee of the Vestry of St. Mark's Church.

From earliest Christian times, the parish church has been the final resting place for the mortal remains of deceased members of Christian communities, and burial within the churchyard was once a very common practice. Cremation has become more common in recent years, and internment of ashes in the churchyard symbolizes the historic concern of the Church for the reverent burial of her dead. In this way, our consecration and use of our own Columbarium reaffirms our parish's link to our ancient Christian heritage.

Columbarium is the Latin word for the dwelling place of a dove, or colomba the bird remembered in the New Testament as the symbol of the Holy Spirit. In ancient Rome, early Christians referred to their burial niches in the catacombs as colombaria because of their resemblance to the nesting boxes provided for doves.

In later years the word came to mean an area of consecrated church ground used for the burial of cremated remains.

When complete, St. Mark's Columbarium will contain:

· 80 wall niches at $800 per niche. Two side by side niches may be purchased for $1,500.

· 60 in-ground plots will be provided at $550 per plot.

Purchasers will receive a license for each niche or plot purchased, and will include a bronze plaque bearing the name and dates of birth and death of the deceased.

Gifts for plantings in accordance with the approved landscape plan are welcome at any time as memorials or for other special reasons.

We invite you to consider taking advantage of this beautiful sacred space and we invite any interested persons to speak with a member of the Columbarium Committee. Appointments can be arranged by calling the church office at 630.858.1020.

Accurate records of each choice and location will be kept in the parish office. Choices of both wall niches and in-ground plots are available for purchase