ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The ashes of more than two dozen people were moved this week from a memorial garden at an Orlando church.
The move from the Pershing Avenue Church happened after the church agreed to sell the property to the Orange County School district, a school spokesperson said. The elementary school plans to expand on the church's property.
[ Read: School expansion threatens nearly 50-year-old church where ashes were spread ]
The church on Pershing Avenue has been around nearly 50 years.
“It’s just extremely hard,” said Allison Sherard.
Sherard’s father died in 2011 and was a founding member of the Pershing Avenue Church. He was one of the 26 whose remains were moved to Greenwood Cemetery.
“That was probably the hardest thing for a lot of us, especially the ones that have loved ones in that special garden,” Sherard said.
Family members and friends held a ceremony Thursday to remember their loved ones and planted a new tree at Greenwood Cemetery.
“We hope it will be here for many years, and give us shade for people to come visit their loves ones,” Sherard said.
For many, the church was a symbol of strength.
“It’s a small, family-type church and we are a small family together and they are supporting me,” said church member Pat Blue.
The final church service is the last Sunday in August. After that, churchgoers will have to find a new place to go.