Human Flower Project

St. Luke in the (Urban) Fields

”Hot town, Summer in the City!” John Borden discovers a green, flowering hideaway in the West Village of Manhattan.

A visitor relaxes in a rare pool of New York City shade,

the garden at the Church of St. Luke in the Fields

Photo: Garden at St. Luke’s



By John Borden

It was a completely unexpected find: through a small, arched brick entry into a courtyard of flowers, trees, birds, butterflies, and—gloriously, in Manhattan—nice shaded benches. 

On a hot summer day of morning errands, I treated myself to lunch of pho and a pulled pork sandwich at a small West Village restaurant.  Combining Vietnam with North Carolina is the kind of meal you find at New French; at a lunch special $12, that’s a bargain in downtown.  I was ready for a nap, out in the heat on the corner of Hudson and Barrow, when the archway beckoned from across the street.

What’s that? Am I allowed?  On entering, the feeling of an urban oasis takes shape.  It’s empty—is it safe?— it must be.  I take a seat in a secluded corner and a pigeon the size of a small chicken ambles up, relaxing next to my feet.  That seemingly attracts several tiny birds who begin to hang out in my corner as well.  A butterfly hovers.

An ivy-laden tree sands at the center of the garden’s main courtyard

Photo: NY Daily Photo

Looking around the large courtyard: there’s an old, thick, ivy-covered tree in the center and slate pathways moving diagonally toward it as well as around the edges of the garden.  And it is a garden, with flowers of many types—being a flower idiot (sorry HFP readers) I can only describe them as lavender, purple, small yellow marigold types, pink roses, white impatiens. And there are many more, all overarched by shade trees in the four corners.  This is The Gardens of Saint Luke in the Fields Church.

After a recuperative sit in my corner, I began to walk around and spotted a gardener at a small hut.  He was maybe in his seventies, shorts and a t-shirt, robust and bright eyed and willing to chat.  Here was Richard Bentley, a member of the church and a volunteer gardener, one of many who assist a professional gardener on the church staff. Mr. Bentley told me that I had seen only one of six distinct gardens surrounding the church, an area covering an entire city block that has been owned by St. Luke’s since 1821.  Mr. Bentley was especially excited about a garden that has 22 cherry trees which come alive with blossom in mid-April. 

He found a fairly used-looking small brochure in the hut and gave it to me. Here are some excerpts:

The garden is a stopover for migratory birds and overwrought city dwellers alike

Photo: Omoo

“Welcome to some of the more distinctive gardens in New York City, which are comprised of more than three acres of walks, lawns, and a fine collection of garden standards, rare hybrids, and native American flora.  The gardens’ southwest orientation and heat-retaining brick walls create a warm microclimate, allowing a wide variety of flora and fauna to thrive.  This green space with its abundance of berries and flowers provides a small but important way-station for migrating birds and butterflies during the spring and fall season.  Over 100 species of birds and 24 types of moths and butterflies have been sighted and recorded.

Open to the community as a place of respite, we ask you to respect the sanctuary of this space.”

What a “lovely” place, and that not a normal word in my vocabulary.  Mr. Bentley and I chatted more and he told me a little about the church’s many community outreach programs, welcomed me to visit, and just about handed me a shovel.  He didn’t even mention religion.  Walking away after a handshake, I thought, “now that’s a real church.”

Note: The Hudson Street gate is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sundays.

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