Carmichaels church plans memorial playground
A Carmichaels church plans to honor two children slain in a murder-suicide by erecting a playground in their memory.
“It will be a healing process,” said the Rev. Chuck Durso, pastor of Carmichaels Free Methodist Church.
The memorial playground will honor Madison Teagarden, 8, and Kevin (K.J.) Teagarden Jr., 22 months. Police said their father, Kevin Teagarden, 42, shot and killed the children and their mother, Tammy Teagarden, 40, in their Morgan Township home before turning the gun on himself Sept. 25.
Durso explained members of both sides of the family are members of the church. He said Tammy and Madison Teagarden had attended church together. Kevin Teagarden came for family events and Christmas. Tammy Teagarden stopped coming in the past year but Madison Teagarden continued to attend church with other family members.
In the wake of the shooting deaths, Durso said, “We had some financial donations given with the request that something be done for the family.”
The congregation decided on a memorial playground after several members proposed the idea.
“It was probably God telling us what to do,” said Durso.
The congregation wants to place a small playground in the back of the church behind the parking lot. They have decided on a play set with a Noah’s Ark theme.
“The kids can climb on it and slide down a pole in the middle,” said Durso. “There are attachments that include a swing set and a 5-foot, mini rock-climbing wall. We also want to have a picnic table and a stone fire pit for a bonfire.”
The entire project will cost about $10,000. The church has started fundraising and accumulated almost $1,000 in donations.
“We’re off to a good start,” said Durso.
The church hopes to raise enough money to start building the playground in April.
Contributions to the project can be sent to CFMC — Madison and K.J. Memorial Fund, 202 E. Church Ave., Masontown, Pa., 15461