Back Story
Church is another variety that was part of the 2021 SSE adapt trials. I was able to find a little more info on this variety prior to planting the first seeds, namely that it was a pink tomato. Several smaller independent seed companies have since picked up this variety and have noted that it came from the Church Family of Hot Springs Virginia. The tomato is supposed to be a descendent of the legendary Radiator Charlie’s Mortgage Lifter (if you aren’t familiar with that tomato it’s got quite the story).
Our Experience Growing Church
Anyway, I was excited to see how Church would turn out. I don’t think I’d ever grown a pink tomato. Church proved its worth that year and every year since! It’s usually late to the party with enormous 1lb+ fruits ripening in September. The texture is superb: meaty with just enough juiciness to be sweet and flavorful too. 2 or 3 Church tomatoes are more than enough tomato for a hearty batch of tomato soup. Another noteworthy feature of Church is it’s unique shape. It’s a rather blocky tomato that is nearly as tall as it is wide, more square than oblate (like a classic beefsteak). The funky shape, superb flavor, impressive tomato weights, and all-around usefulness of this tomato have made it a staple in our garden year after year.
