Congress Street Church Opened Annual Pumpkin Patch
The Lafayette church has launched its 24th annual pumpkin sale to benefit local non-profit organizations.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Congress Street United Methodist Church has opened its Great Pumpkin Patch at 2010 Congress St. in Lafayette. The seasonal initiative aims to generate funding for several community groups through the sale of pumpkins and gourds.
Why it matters
The pumpkin sales serve as a vital ministry and fundraiser for the church, with proceeds directly supporting educational and community health programs. Last year, the effort successfully raised $3,000 for each of its primary mission partners.
The patch offers an initial inventory of 2,500 large pumpkins alongside mums and gourds. The fundraiser has operated for 24 years, with a new shipment of inventory scheduled to arrive on Oct. 17.
The players
Congress Street United Methodist Church
This Lafayette religious institution hosts the annual pumpkin patch to support local charitable initiatives.
Civitan Club
This service organization receives proceeds from the sale to support Modified Athletics for Kids and Shine On University.
Beta Sigma Phi
This women's international social and cultural organization receives proceeds to benefit the Community Cancer Network and Oakland Elementary School.
The details
Volunteers from the Wesley Foundation and the McCutcheon girls softball team are providing assistance with the setup and operation of the site. The patch is open Sundays through Thursdays from noon to 6 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 7 p.m.
Timeline
The Great Pumpkin Patch opened for the fall season in 2026.
A refill shipment of pumpkins is scheduled for Oct. 17, 2026.
Market Landscape
This initiative follows the established pattern of community-based seasonal fundraising used by religious organizations to support local social services. It represents a long-standing model of local philanthropy that relies on seasonal inventory to drive volunteer-led revenue streams.
Local residents can support the fundraising efforts by purchasing pumpkins and gourds directly from the church lot. The proceeds contribute directly to educational and health resources for children and cancer patients in the community.
The takeaway
Supporting this seasonal patch provides a direct way for residents to contribute to local cancer and education initiatives. Those interested in shopping are encouraged to visit during the afternoon and evening hours to select their pumpkins while supplies last.
Further reading
For more information on local initiatives, visit the Lafayette Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WLFI News 18.
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Do you prefer buying holiday items from local charitable causes over traditional commercial retailers?
