Doves in flight to be featured in COVID-19 memorial

Posted March 1, 2021

By Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian Mission

A temporary, outdoor art installation of over 500 handmade fabric doves is being created by members of the First Presbyterian Church of Holt to honor the more than 500,000 people who have died from COVID-19 in the United States.

The doves will be suspended in strands from the bell tower crosses of the church, located at the northwest corner of Aurelius and Holt Roads. The memorial will be dedicated in a 7:00 candlelight vigil on the evening of March 10, marking the anniversary of the first COVID-19 case in Michigan.  The vigil will be livestreamed March 10th at 7:00 PM.

According to Rev. Kirk Miller, one of the pastors at the church, the intent is to help the congregation and larger community acknowledge and process the monumental loss of life from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The memorial—which will be visible night and day—will remain on display until the pandemic lifts.


Names and stories of those who have died from COVID-19 are sought

Anyone wishing to honor the life of someone who has died from COVID-19 can visit www.fpc-holt.org or call the church office at 517-694-8151.  They will be asked to provide their beloved’s name, date of birth and death, and three words that speak to their life. The biographies will be displayed on the doves as well as the church’s outdoor electronic sign.