(9-26-23) The Angel of Hope Committee has been working with an anonymous donor for the past six months to build an Angel of Hope for the St. Marys and surrounding communities. The groundwork has begun, and the committee is planning a dedication ceremony.

On October 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. the Angel of Hope Committee will reveal and dedicate the Angel of Hope located in Gethsemane Cemetery, St. Marys, Ohio. The dedication of the Angel of Hope at the Gethsemane Cemetery is open to any parent, grand-parent, or family member that has experienced the death of a child either before or after birth and regardless of the age of the child. The angel statue honors the lives of all children gone too soon and serves as a place of hope and healing for parents, families, and friends dealing with the loss of a child.

History of the Angel

The Angel of Hope statue in St. Marys, Ohio is one of more than 150 angels across the United States and worldwide.  The original Angel Statue was introduced to the world in the book The Christmas Box, a worldwide bestseller and movie by author Richard Paul Evans.  In the book, a woman mourns the loss of her child at the base of an angel monument.  Though Evans story is mostly fiction, the angel monument described in the book once existed but was later destroyed by a flood. In response to reports of grieving parents that were seeking out the angel as a place to grieve and heal, a new angel monument was commissioned by Richard Paul Evans.  The monument was dedicated on December 6, 1994, corresponding with the date of the child’s death in the story.  

Our Angel

The Angel of Hope Monument and Prayer Garden is being constructed with the hope of providing grieving families a place to remember and honor the children they have lost.  An anonymous donor has donated the bronze angel and the Angel of Hope Monument and Prayer Garden to the community for all individuals.  Even though the angel is placed in the Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery, it is open to all grieving families of all faiths as a place of healing.  The Angel of Hope Monument area will have sidewalks leading to the Angel Monument with bench type seating for visitors.  In addition to the Angel Monument there will be an area located to the north of the angel with a bench and cross for anyone visiting the cemetery to use as a place of prayer and to be at peace while thinking of their loved one.  

The bronze angel, with its child’s face and outstretched wings of hope, measures 4’3” tall and has a wingspan of 5’2”.  If you look closely, you will find the word “HOPE” written on the angel’s right wing.  

Please join us for this dedication to help bring peace and healing to all who are grieving the loss of a child. 

Invitation to the Angel of Hope and Prayer Garden Dedication Ceremony

Who is Invited:  All Grieving Families of All Faiths

Date:  October 21, 2023

Time: 10:00 a.m.