Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church Columbarium, Houston

The new columbarium and prayer garden for Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church have activated the most beautiful but most unused area of the campus. The columbarium respects the architecture of the 1972 Sanctuary, designed by Houston architects MacKie & Kamrath. The rhythm of the niche walls and the shade trellises echoes the sanctuary detailing. The gates and fencing similarly respond to the design of the sanctuary. Openings in the walls of the columbarium frame views to the broad front lawn of the church while the fountain provides gentle masking for the street noise. Stained glass panels in the fountain wall visually tie the prayer garden to the columbarium.