Photo by Katie Turpen.
Brick Committee Co-Chair Claire Gwaltney, J. Sharp Gillespy IV, Louise Rust Gillespy and Brick Committee Co-Chair Sarah White stand in front of the newly renovated Sibyl Temple. The Gillespys moved to Vestavia Hills in 1960. In May, their brick was one of 54 commemorative bricks installed around the temple.
Efforts have been underway since March to ensure the Sibyl Temple remains a proud symbol of Vestavia Hills. The Alabama Historical Commission awarded the city a $2,500 grant for improvements to the structure and the Vestaiva Hills Garden Club and Sibyl Temple Foundation raised the remaining funds.
"This is the best it has ever looked," said Sibyl Temple Foundation President Celeste David.
The history of the temple dates back to 1925 when George Ward, former mayor of Birmingham, completed his home on the crest of Shades Mountain. The Sibyl Temple was built as a gazebo in one of the gardens as a replica of the Temple of the Goddess Vesta in Tivoli, Italy. In 1972, the Vestavia Hills Garden Club’s president bought the temple. The temple was then dismantled from one location and moved piece by piece to its current home on Montgomery Highway and Shades Crest Road.
The Sibyl Temple Foundation was formed in 1992 with members of the garden club serving to help restore, maintain and beautify the temple. The foundation invites residents to leave their mark around the landmark by purchasing one of the bricks that surround the temple. The bricks are 4-by-8 inches and are $75 each.
“It can be a memorial, honorary, wedding, whatever you want,” said Brick Committee Co-Chair Sarah White. “All money goes to support the Sibyl Temple.”
Residents J. Sharp Gillespy IV and Louise Rust Gillespy are longtime Vestavia Hills residents, having moved to the city in 1960. In May, their brick was one of 54 commemorative bricks installed around the temple. Brick Committee Co-Chair Claire Gwaltney said there will be another installation this fall.
The Sibyl Temple is also available for rent. For more information or to purchase a brick, contact White at 823-0052, Gwaltney at 967-7712 or email sibylbricks@gmail.com
