Next week, Broadway’s All Pilgrims will host a forum on anti-LGBTQ hate crime. It’s the kind of community role the venue often plays in the busy commercial core of Capitol Hill. The 1906-built house of worship is also ready to move forward with its new plan to create a different kind of community space — a Same Love Garden green space surrounding the Broadway at Republican church “that has been a leader in the recognition of the full acceptance of persons of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender identities.”

“With increased residential density on Capitol Hill, and the coming of light rail and trolley service to our neighborhood, All Pilgrims wants this garden to be a reflection of the character of our neighborhood and a place of celebration that will serve our growing community,” All Pilgrims pastor Greg Turk said in the announcement of a new fundraising campaign to help pay for the project.

All Pilgrims is seeking to raise $100,000 from the community to match the $100,000 it is putting into the project with a name inspired by the Macklemore and Ryan Lewis song celebrating marriage equality. Part of the community campaign includes a $20,000 online giving goal — You can give here via Indiegogo:

We seek $100,000 from friends like you to match our own $100,000 investment to create a garden memorial to the success of the marriage equality movement and the hope it represents for positive social change.
This Indiegogo site, set up for $20,000, is just one element of our fundraising program.

• Funds contributed will be spent on constructing and outfitting the garden. All designs and permits have been previously acquired. This is a “shovel ready” project.

• We offer various levels of recognition for different levels of contribution.

• Should we not reach our goal within our deadline, the project will be completed in phases as fundraising permits.

Giving gifts include a variety of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis t-shirts and items. For $100, donors can personalize a brick for placement in the garden.

CHS first reported on planning for the project last spring and talked with Turk about making sure the new garden plan also acknowledged concerns about homeless encampments or criminal activity on the church’s grounds.

So far, the giving campaign has raised just over $1,000 of the $20,000 goal. Macklemore gave the project a boost last week:

In 2012 we filmed the Same Love music video at All Pilgrims Church on Capitol Hill because we found a community that welcomed the message of marriage equality. We will be forever grateful to Greg Turk and All Pilgrims for giving us the opportunity to freely film one of the most impactful projects we have worked on to date. Join us in supporting their efforts to build a public garden that will celebrate the community they have been a part of for more than 100 years…

The designs for the project include green space and a labyrinth:

Plans include creation of a labyrinth for walking meditation. Plans also call for maintenance of the English Yew tree which grows in the green space. Considered a significant tree by city arborists, Church tradition holds that it was brought as a seedling from the Middle East by a former pastor. The site plans include an ADA accessible ramp for easier access by persons with disabilities.

The church plans for the garden to be accessible to the public during daylight hours, “offering park‐like spaces for gathering with friends, quiet reflection in either seated or walking meditation.” The garden will also be available to reserve for weddings and “life events” at All Pilgrims or for community uses.

If enough money is raised, construction of the garden will begin “as soon as weather permits in 2015.”