Welcome to the St. James UMC Pumpkin Patch
The highly anticipated St. James UMC Pumpkin Patch is back! From Saturday, September 28th to October 31st, our patch will be open from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday - Friday, and 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Saturdays & Sundays.
Located conveniently off St. James Ave. (Highway 176) in Goose Creek, SC, our church grounds transform into a haven of fall festivities. As we celebrate our 23rd year of the St. James UMC Pumpkin Patch, our commitment to creating a joyful and family-friendly environment is stronger than ever. Our dedicated church family, brimming with enthusiasm, is here to ensure your visit is filled with cherished memories.
Our volunteers eagerly await to assist you on this exciting pumpkin adventure! Whether you're searching for the perfect pumpkin or enjoying the enchanting atmosphere, our patch is designed to provide the best experience for all. Discover more about the St. James UMC Pumpkin Patch below. Your support directly contributes to the wonderful ministries and missions of St. James United Methodist Church. Thank you for being a part of our vibrant community!
Parking
When you arrive to St. James United Methodist Church, you are welcome to park in any of the available spots in our parking lot. We are located at 512 St. James Ave. Goose Creek, SC 29445.
Volunteers and Atmosphere
We strive to make the patch a fun and exciting experience for families. We volunteers are made up of our church family and they are happy to see you and your family visiting the patch. They enjoy meeting new families and families from the past each and every year. Our volunteers will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have or assist you with your pumpkins.
Wagons
We have some wagons available for you to take around with you when shopping for pumpkins. You can also use the wagon to wheel your pumpkins to your car. When you're done just wheel it on back or if a volunteer is available at the moment they will be happy to come get it from you.
Cost of Pumpkins
Bulk Pumpkins:
When you enter the patch, if you locate the big white tent you will see a lineup of different sized pumpkins. They are lined up from small to large and will have prices written on them. This is to help give you an idea of how much our bulk pumpkins cost. They are based on size (circumference), and will be measured individually when you come up to the tent to check out.
Small Pumpkins and Gourds:
These pumpkins will be placed separately from the bulk pumpkins and will have a sign close by with a price on it.
Decoration Sticker Sheets:
When you go to check out at the big white tent, we will have decoration sticker sheets on display for you to purchase and use on your pumpkins.
Check Out
When you are ready to check out with your pumpkins, just make your way on up to the big white tent, and our volunteers will be happy to check you out. At the tent, a volunteer will you the pumpkin measuring tool to measure each of your bulk pumpkins to determine their cost. The volunteers will add up your cost and let you know the total. We accept cash, card, and check. We have a touch-less POS system which means you can just insert or tap your debit/credit card to the card reader. There is no tax added to your total. All card purchases must total at least $1.00.
Why No Free Pumpkins?
Unfortunately we are unable to give away free pumpkins, even for a good cause. We also cannot lower the cost for anyone purchasing pumpkins in bulk amounts. We receive these pumpkins at no cost from Pumpkin Patch USA and the Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico. They trust us to be open every day and sell the pumpkins we ask for. While we do keep a percentage of the proceeds from the patch, which go towards the advertised mission organizations, the rest is sent back to Pumpkin Patch USA. This helps provide jobs and financial stability to the large Navajo Indian population in Farmington, NM. This entire pumpkin patch is built on trust and a handshake. We want to make sure we are honoring our promise to them. We hope you will understand why we are unable to give away free pumpkins.
Photo Opportunities
Our patch is a hub of joy, and each year families create cherished moments here. Multiple picturesque spots are ready to frame your smiles. If you're sharing your patch journey on social media, tag us with #stjamespatch so we can revel in your cherished memories together!
Pumpkin Patch Rocks
The members of St. James United Methodist Church have taken time to paint lots of rocks to hide throughout the pumpkin patch. These rocks are for you to find and keep. So that there are plenty of rocks to go around for everyone, we ask that you just take one rock per person with you when leaving the patch. If you find multiple rocks we encourage you to re-hide them within our patch for others to find. We hope these rocks will put a smile on your face and you will remember your time at the St. James UMC Pumpkin Patch.
Missions Supported by Our Patch
At St. James UMC Pumpkin Patch, we raise funds for local and global missions. Your pumpkin purchase supports vital causes such as providing food, clean water, and resources to those in need. Explore our missions below and join us in making a positive impact.
My Sister’s House
My Sister's House is a nonprofit organization in Charleston, SC, dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence and their children. They provide comprehensive services such as shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and education to empower survivors to break free from abusive situations and build safe, independent lives.
Helping Hands of Goose Creek
Helping Hands of Goose Creek, located in Goose Creek, SC, is a community-based nonprofit organization committed to assisting individuals and families facing financial hardships. They provide essential support through food, emergency financial assistance, and educational programs, fostering self-sufficiency and resilience in the community.
Water Mission
Water Mission, based in Charleston, SC, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing safe and sustainable clean water solutions to communities in need worldwide. They design and implement innovative water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions, transforming lives and improving health for vulnerable populations. Water Mission's work empowers communities to thrive by ensuring access to clean water and promoting long-term sustainability.
Healing Guatemala
Healing Guatemala is a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing vital medical care and surgical services to underserved communities in Guatemala. They are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Guatemalan individuals and families by offering essential healthcare services, including surgeries, consultations, and medical outreach programs. Healing Guatemala's mission is to transform lives by addressing the medical needs of those who lack access to adequate healthcare in the region.
A Legacy of Trust and Community
Pumpkin Patch Fundraisers began in 1974 in North Carolina with 3 acres of pumpkins and a partnership with one church. We agreed to let the church sell the pumpkins and they would share the proceeds. There was no contract, no legal proceedings…just a handshake and trust in each other. Richard and Janice Hamby have been growing pumpkins and adding partners ever since.
It's a wonderful partnership of trust. The churches and non-profit organizations trust us to grow and deliver great pumpkins. We trust those organizations to be diligent in selling their pumpkins, honest in reporting their sales, and attentive to paying our percentage of sales. We are responsible for all of the costs associated with growing, harvesting, and shipping. To ensure that our partners have a successful patch, we bear all of the risks of loss due to theft and spoilage. While it is unusual in the business world, this relationship of trust has been very effective throughout the years. In fact, that first church, Centenary United Methodist Church, is still with us today.
After being hit by Hurricane Hugo we moved our farming operations to the Navajo Indian Reservation in Farmington, NM. In cooperation with the Navajo Nation, we grow 1,200 acres or approximately 2 square miles of pumpkins and employ over 700 Native Americans during our harvest months of September and October. We also have a full-time off-season NM staff that is comprised of entirely Native Americans. This has a positive and lasting impact on a region with 42% unemployment.
Since 1974, our pumpkin patch family has grown to over 1,000 organizations covering the Continental US, representing 25 denominations of churches and youth groups, scouts, schools, fraternal organizations, habitat groups, and other civic organizations. The Hamby’s son, John, has now graduated from college and joined the company to continue another generation of family-focused business. The entire project is still based on trust.