A Newton landmark, the 'angel tree', will soon be no more just like the old St. Thomas Catholic Church. Crews have been in town looking at the tree-its end is near, although it doesn't have to be.
This tall, majestic tree, that God created over 130 years ago and helped to form into an angel, that is visible from many directions around Newton, will soon meet its demise.
And, although it is hard for some to believe this tree has given comfort to many, it has. Joe Bergbower stopped by the Press office a couple of years ago and was discussing the tree and destruction of the church. After telling him that my young daughter looked to the tree as a way of knowing that God was with us after a traumatic experience in our life, he stated that it reminded him of a song by Hank Williams that says, 'Praise the Lord, I saw the light.' Bergbower commented, "That tree was created by God without a face so that we can see our loved ones that we have lost in the arms of the guardian angel. When I drove back by the angel tree, I saw the tree and placed our son's face, who we lost at the age of eleven, in the arms of the angel. It brought tears to my eyes to think that such a God-created phenomenon, only one in the world, could be destroyed."
This tree has survived many storms and tornadoes only to be cut down to make way for progress - a parking lot. It has been stated that it would cost too much to put up a retaining wall around it to protect it. Good-bye old tree. Thanks for all your years of comfort.
