Press Releases
04/09/08
Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden Groundbreaking
On Friday, April 11, 2008, at 11:00am, the Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust, Inc. will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden...
Baltimore, MD – On Friday, April 11, 2008, at 11:00am, the Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust, Inc. will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden. The ceremony will be held at the Garden site, at the corner of Franklin Street and North Charles Street.
Remarks will be offered by Mayor Sheila Dixon; Mr. Michael J. Ruck, Sr., Chairman of the Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust Board; Mr. Scott Rykiel, Vice President of Mahan Rykiel Architects and architect of the Garden; and Most Reverend Edwin F. O’Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore. Other guests of honor will be The Honorable William H. Cole, IV, Councilman of the 11th District; Ms. Robin Budish, Executive Director of the Historic Charles Street Association; Mr. Kirby Fowler, President of Downtown Partnership; and Father Jeffrey S. Dauses, Rector of the Baltimore Basilica, who will offer the opening prayer.
The Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden will serve as a memorial to the late Holy Father and his 1995 visit to Baltimore, as well a contemplative green space in the city. A visit to the Garden is expected to complement a visit to the recently restored Baltimore Basilica, America’s First Cathedral.
The Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden was designed by the Baltimore firm of Mahan Rykiel Associates, Inc. Construction is set to begin shortly after April 14, 2008, and expected to last approximately six months. The general contractor for the garden is Conewago Enterprises. The garden will be funded through private donations, raised by the Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust, Inc., who will also be responsible for the care and maintenance of the park. The garden will also feature a seven-foot tall bronze statue of Pope John Paul II, sculpted by internationally-renowned artist, Joseph Sheppard, who is a native of Baltimore. The statue is modeled after a photograph taken of Pope John Paul II, upon his arrival at BWI Airport on October 8, 1995.
Remarks will be offered by Mayor Sheila Dixon; Mr. Michael J. Ruck, Sr., Chairman of the Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust Board; Mr. Scott Rykiel, Vice President of Mahan Rykiel Architects and architect of the Garden; and Most Reverend Edwin F. O’Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore. Other guests of honor will be The Honorable William H. Cole, IV, Councilman of the 11th District; Ms. Robin Budish, Executive Director of the Historic Charles Street Association; Mr. Kirby Fowler, President of Downtown Partnership; and Father Jeffrey S. Dauses, Rector of the Baltimore Basilica, who will offer the opening prayer.
The Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden will serve as a memorial to the late Holy Father and his 1995 visit to Baltimore, as well a contemplative green space in the city. A visit to the Garden is expected to complement a visit to the recently restored Baltimore Basilica, America’s First Cathedral.
The Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden was designed by the Baltimore firm of Mahan Rykiel Associates, Inc. Construction is set to begin shortly after April 14, 2008, and expected to last approximately six months. The general contractor for the garden is Conewago Enterprises. The garden will be funded through private donations, raised by the Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust, Inc., who will also be responsible for the care and maintenance of the park. The garden will also feature a seven-foot tall bronze statue of Pope John Paul II, sculpted by internationally-renowned artist, Joseph Sheppard, who is a native of Baltimore. The statue is modeled after a photograph taken of Pope John Paul II, upon his arrival at BWI Airport on October 8, 1995.
