The Gospel Garden

Welcome to the Gospel Garden!

Founded by St. Mark’s parishioner Brian Hollstein, the Gospel Garden began when a visit to the New Canaan Food Pantry revealed a lack of fresh produce for its clients. Moved by this need, Brian envisioned growing vegetables at the church to supply fresh food to the pantry. His detailed plan quickly gained support, marking the start of this fruitful journey.

Each year, the Gospel Garden grows over 2,000 pounds of organic vegetables, which are distributed through the New Canaan Food Pantry and Person-to-Person. The garden was inspired, in part, by the Victory Gardens from World War I and II, where communities including New Canaan cultivated gardens to support the war effort and ensure food security. This ministry is part of the Good News Gardens movement within the Episcopal Church, with St. Mark’s being at the forefront since the Gospel Garden’s founding in 2009.

Join us in the Gospel Garden this Spring!

Gospel Garden Clean Up and Planting Sessions

May 16, 9–11AM: Sign Up

Location: St. Mark’s Gospel Garden

Spring has arrived, and we need your help to kick off this year’s Gospel Garden season! We’re rolling up our sleeves to clean up the beds, get them ready for planting, and put the first vegetables in the ground.

The Gospel Garden grows organic produce that is 100% donated to the New Canaan Food Pantry and Person-to-Person in Darien — two organizations facing growing demand. In one of the wealthiest counties in America, food insecurity is a real and rising problem: many families struggle to afford nutritious food as grocery and housing costs climb, and federal food assistance is being cut for tens of thousands of Connecticut families who depend on it.

No experience needed — just bring yourself (and your family or friends). This is hands-on work that makes a real difference.

John Michael Bain-Colon, Project Manager & Team Leader since 2024
The Rev. John Kennedy, Priest for Outreach Ministries

Leadership Team Members:

Bob Bouton
Brian Hollstein
Margaret Roscoe

Community Partners

We are grateful for the support of our community partners:

Copia Home and Garden
Summer Rain Sprinklers
Hutchinson Tree Service
The New Canaan Community Foundation
Rotary Club of New Canaan
Boy Scouts Troop 70, New Canaan

We also extend gratitude to the New Canaan Food Pantry and Person-to-Person in Norwalk, who distribute our produce to those in need.

Want to know more? Be in touch by email, or call the church office at (203) 966-4515.