History of the Flower Guild

A Legacy of Beauty and Faith in Worship: The History of the Flower Guild

"We loved having Nancy White's very knowledgeable mother Gertrude Dempster as a mentor. It was she who taught, "Pittosporum covers a multitude of sins." It does and I have never forgotten it."

ANNE PITTENGER

Organized in the late 1970s, the First Presbyterian Church Flower Guild was founded by a group of creative and dedicated members who desired to bring beauty and intention to worship. Before the Guild’s formation, arrangements for the Sanctuary were provided by Johnson Florist and delivered each Saturday. Under the leadership of Carol Schmid, the newly formed Guild began creating arrangements supported by honoraria and memorial gifts, offering a more personal and meaningful connection for the congregation. Donor cards were placed in the pews, and soon memorial arrangements became a regular presence in the Chancel.

Carol organized the Guild into weekly teams responsible for arranging flowers for the Chancel, beneath the mosaic of Christ, as well as for the Narthex and the Wednesday Chapel service. Alongside Carol, early pioneers included Martha Burkey, Marie Clapp, Gertrude Dempster, Barbara Evans, Barbara Garlington, Jo Kern, Frances Klein, Kae Laeknan, Frances Lothrop, Anne Pittenger, Nancy Rodgers, Mary Spengler, and Sara Stokes. Membership eventually grew to more than 30 participants.

In those early years, members accessed the church through a door along the north side of the Sanctuary and arranged flowers in a small workroom, spaces that were later removed during renovations. The Guild also developed a strong tradition of mentoring and shared learning. Anne Pittenger recalls, “We loved having Nancy White’s very knowledgeable mother, Gertrude Dempster, as a mentor. It was she who taught, ‘Pittosporum covers a multitude of sins.’” Her lighthearted advice became a favorite reminder that creativity, resourcefulness, and grace often go hand in hand in floral design.

Over the years, Guild members sought opportunities to expand their skills and deepen their understanding of floral artistry. Becky Tate remembers that arranging at First Presbyterian "provided many learning experiences," through learning from one another, professional florists, and educational presentations. She notes that Mary Beth Roberts, Nancy White, Anne Pittenger, and Becky herself were sponsored by the church to attend an intensive four-day floral design program at the Washington National Cathedral. While there, they studied floral design, attended Evensong, climbed the Cathedral bell tower to observe the ringers, and were welcomed into the Dean’s residence, experiences that enriched both their artistic abilities and their appreciation for the role of beauty in worship.

The Guild also participated in flower festivals at St. John’s Cathedral, where congregations from across the region were invited to create large-scale floral installations. Becky recalls one year when Guild members hand-crafted a twenty-five-foot garland of fresh greenery to drape across the backs of pews. On another occasion, they designed arrangements for ten eight-foot wall sconces throughout the cathedral. These ambitious projects challenged members to think creatively, work collaboratively, and bring beauty to sacred spaces on a grand scale.

Then, as now, the Flower Guild’s work is an expression of faith. Through their arrangements, members help shape the visual life of worship and extend care beyond Sunday services, delivering flowers to those who are hospitalized, grieving, or celebrating life’s milestones. Becky Tate reflects that one of the joys of mentoring new arrangers is reminding them not to be intimidated by the task. “The congregation is open to the colors, special shapes, and the effort we put in,” she says. Her encouragement reflects the welcoming spirit that has sustained the Guild across generations.

Today, the Flower Guild serves under Presbyterian Women and the leadership of Chairperson Holli Rogers (2019–present), and is represented on the Worship Committee. Following the 2015 renovations, the Guild now has a dedicated flower room equipped with storage, a sink, cooler, work space, and a practice shelf modeled after the Chancel.

For more information about the Flower Guild, please contact Holli Rogers at hollinger4611@gmail.com.