Cathedral garden restoration began with Mary, rest of the grounds to be restored in 2027

Multimedia Correspondent

Staff Writer

As construction wrapped up on the stonework of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, equipment and machinery that needed to be stored on cathedral grounds left the Marian garden and other green areas of the cathedral grounds in what Cathedral parishioner volunteer gardener Mary Jo Stull described as “great distress.”

Having been affiliated with the gardens previously, Ms. Stull was asked to assist in restoring the gardens alongside vice rector Msgr. Kurt Kemo — and the two of them worked together organizing landscapers and choosing plants to beautify the greenery of the cathedral’s exterior.

The first project within the gardens completed was Mary’s garden, built around a previously standing statue on the south side of the cathedral. Because of previous issues, the garden surrounding her was never able to be completed — until now, and Msgr. Kemo said that since the cathedral was named for Mary, “it was appropriate that her garden would be done first.”

Oliver Lester, of tree health professionals Gregory Forrest Lester Inc., was instrumental in the design of the garden, according to Ms. Stull and Msgr. Kemo. Mr. Lester ensured that each plant and tree chosen for the garden was intentional with Scripture references and sacred symbolism.

While visitors to the cathedral will not be able to enjoy the gardens in full bloom until next spring, flowers planted in front of the statue of Mary are planted in blankets of carefully chosen colors — blue, her most associated color, into white, symbolizing her purity then red, representing her Immaculate Heart. These colorful flowers serve as the “focal point,” said Msgr. Kemo, “trying to highlight the different shades and colors of her life.”

With Mary’s garden completed as “Phase One” of the gardens’ restoration, Ms. Stull and Msgr. Kemo have begun plans for Phase Two — which includes the currently unfinished area around the cathedral’s fountain, as well as the inner courtyard by the rectory. Work on the rest of these gardens is set to begin next year.