Sewickley United Methodist Church’s pumpkin patch celebrates 20th year
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A sea of orange has decorated the front lawn at Sewickley United Methodist Church for two decades every October.
There are pumpkins of all sizes in the recognizable bright orange hue as well as other colors, including shades of orange and white, and complementary decorations such as gourds. The annual pumpkin patch is celebrating 20 years.
“People come from all over the city to buy pumpkins,” said church member Lou Ann Scott, who started the pumpkin patch as a youth group project. “We have people stop by to take their photo in the pumpkin patch. They might have to pay a little more, but they know it helps others so that makes them feel good.”
Scott said they have ordered more than 2,500 pumpkins and other decorations perfect for Halloween and fall. They are visible at the corner of Broad and Thorn streets.
Pumpkins are supplied from Pumpkins USA every year. The company was started by Richard and Janice Hamby and has been connecting churches with pumpkins for fundraisers since 1974. Their son, John, also is involved in the business.
Founded in North Carolina, Pumpkins USA has agreements by which churches don’t pay anything in advance. After North Carolina was hit by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, the Hambys moved operations to the Navajo Indian Reservation in Farmington, N.M.
When a pumpkin is sold, the church and Pumpkins USA share the proceeds.
Pumpkins USA handles the costs associated with growing, harvesting and shipping. They grow 1,200 acres of pumpkins and employ more than 700 Native Americans in September and October and have some year-round staff.
They partner with more than 1,000 organizations.
The requirement is to be open eight hours a day (hours can be shorter on Sundays) through Oct. 31. Prices start at $1.
To mark 20 years, the church commissioned Wendell August Forge in Grove City to make a special Christmas ornament. The front reads “SUMC 20th anniversary pumpkin patch 2021,” and the back reads “The church with time and pumpkins for you!” The ornament, designed by church member Jack Moffett, costs $20.
The church’s pumpkin patch has been spotted in a Hallmark Channel movie.
Don’t be surprised to see volunteers dressed in costumes. This project requires a lot of help, Scott said. Volunteers include students from Robert Morris University led by Micah Thompson from the college’s student life office, the North Hills Girl Scouts Troop 52606 and Quaker Valley’s Key Club.
Assisting Scott with the organizing is fellow church member Diane Bartley.
“I would do anything for Lou Ann,” Bartley said. “I love the pumpkin patch, and I love this community. We have kids come by who are in college now, and they remember getting their first pumpkin right here. It’s about tradition. It makes you smile.”
Hours are 11 a.m. to dusk Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to dusk on Saturday and noon to dusk on Sunday through Oct. 31. Sewickley United Methodist Church is located at 337 Broad St. in Sewickley. For more information, call 412-741-9430 or visit sewickleyumc.org.