The Sheep of St. Peter's Receive a New Shelter

In the spring of 2003 St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley chose to introduce several sheep into our 300-year old churchyard ( what is historically called "the sacred acre" ) as a way of naturally trimming the grass around the centuries-old tombstones. After learning through experience the correct number of sheep for the allotted space, their stay with us has exceeded our expectations. Not only does our ewe and her lamb act as nature's grass-cutters, but they evoke a sense of calm and serenity within our churchyard.

With winter fast approaching, the issue of keeping the sheep outside throughout the winter has been controversial, especially among the uninitiated. Many are unaware that nature has wonderfully given sheep the ability to internally generate heat at a level which keeps them contented at temperatures far below a human's comfort level. In all but the most severe weather, sheep not only remain more comfortable but far healthier when free to roam as opposed to living in a confined environment.

There are times, however, in conditions of blizzard and extreme wind chill, when a three-sided roofed shelter providing protection from the strong prevailing winds will strike a balance for the sheep between protection and freedom. With this in mind our own Rob Wiltshire designed a structure that not only fits this balance for our animals, but is architecturally and historically consistent with our parish environment.

The shelter seems rather small, 6' deep by 8' wide with a maximum height of 4', but is perfectly sized to the needs of our ewe and her lamb. The walls are red cedar, planed by Rob in a 'tongue and groove' pattern, and the roof uses the same cedar shakes as found on the church roof. The shelter's open side faces south, maximizing radiant warmth while providing protection from the prevailing winds which blow atop the high hill on which our parish sits.

On December 12, 2003, a veteran construction crew of parishioners from our Good Works ministry comprising Tom Brehm, Art Wrenn, and Roger Thorne, with the invaluable assistance of Tony Morris, virtually completed the building project. As darkness fell on that first construction day, Tony introduced fresh straw within the new enclosure and the sheep followed behind. On December 13th Tony continued the process of cedar shake installation, and on December 16th Rob Wiltshire, Tony Morris and Roger Thorne completed the job! The sheep seem 'underwhelmed' by it all, but then .... that's sheep.

Click on the thumbnails below to get a sequential look at this latest St. Peter's construction project, and when next at the parish come and observe our sheep and their reaction to their new home.