An iconic landmark within the Ferguson community, 100 N. Florissant Rd. has served as a place of significant communal influence since the day it was built. Originally one of the first Ford dealership locations in America, the wealthy residents of Ferguson would converge on this corner to socialize with other automobile owners. Naturally, business relationships would form and culture shaping decisions would emerge. More than 80 years later, this building would become The Corner Coffee House, a favorite spot with locals until its sudden closure in December 2017.

Civil Righteousness, Inc. acquired the building in 2019 and began a strenuous five year journey of renovating and reimagining the use of the space.

The Garden was conceived as a means of ecosystem building in Ferguson, Missouri in response to the escalating racial, political, and cultural divides in America. After the 2014 police involved shooting that lead to the death of 18 year-old Mike Brown, we decided to use the space to answer the following three calls to action issued by the Ferguson Commission which were to:

1. Engage the Faith Community in the Racial Equity Mission

   Develop new assets to the region as a resource for racial equity and reconciliation, accessible for use in diverse communities of faith.

2. Create Neutral Space

   Dedicated physical space that is considered neutral for the primary purpose do learning, interaction, and training, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and facilities.

3. Support and Encourage Creative Spaces

   Support and encourage spaces with established community presence that think creatively about use of space and community relationships to welcome and support casual and professional learning, connecting, and dialogue.

Why?

In the Garden of Eden, humans were uniquely designed to live in unbroken fellowship with God and with one another. Jesus reconciled the space between Heaven and Earth, and the space between us. Today, we are tasked with following in His footsteps as reconcilers and peacemakers. Our hope is that The Garden would help Ferguson produce the beauty, diversity, and life-giving fruit that we ultimately long for.