ShrinesMarian Reyes

Public expressions of faith are not unusual in Latino-owned homes and businesses, and the hand-painted sign, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” crowning the gable of Reyes Towing and Auto Salvage on the outskirts of Austin, TX, wouldn’t necessarily cause a second glance. But just to its left is a small garden with various shrines created by Marian and Richard Reyes, a garden that has become a sanctuary for their family on this busy state highway. But too, with the business open 24 hours a day, Richard is often the one who will pick up damaged cars after accidents in the middle of the night, and as their dazed owners or family members come to collect them, the garden has become a sanctuary for these visitors as well.

This property was purchased by the couple in 1978 from Marian’s father, who had purchased it in 1959 after immigrating from Mexico. Marian had always liked to garden, and, when they moved to this larger lot she was able to let aesthetic expressions of her faith flourish. Among the shrines are those dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Saint Francis, and Our Lady of Lourdes. While the religious statues are commercially produced and were purchased by the family, their placement has been personalized by a variety of planters, flowers, interesting-shaped rocks, and found objects. Radiator fan blades were repurposed as monumental flowers, a stock tank was buried to create a pond for the Lourdes shrine, shells and flowers are carefully placed throughout. Marian is the inspiration behind the adornments, and Richard utilizes the equipment from his towing company to help her move the larger pieces into place.

Much of the garden is viewable from the street; if family members or workers are on site, they are generally happy to share the back shrine areas with visitors.

~Jo Farb Hernández, 2018

Jo Farb Hernández

7913 South Highway 183
Austin, Texas, 78747 us
Latitude/Longitude: 30.142505 / -97.695737

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