Gregory Forrest Lester, Inc. Begins Work to Restore Cathedral Gardens in Covington, Kentucky
The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption is located just across the river from Cincinnati in Covington, Kentucky. This stunning Catholic church, modeled after Notre Dame in France, was built in 1915 and has remained a spiritual and historical landmark in the Greater Cincinnati area. Recent restoration work on the cathedral's stone façade has left the gardens below in distress, requiring work to reimagine the gardens surrounding the cathedral. Working alongside parish leadership, Gregory Forrest Lester, Inc. helped bring expertise, thoughtful design, and intentional plant selections to this meaningful project.
Restoring Mary's Garden
The first phase of the project focused on Mary's Garden on the south side of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption. Because the cathedral is named for Mary, and the garden was previously left unfinished, beginning restoration efforts with her garden was especially fitting. The landscape design was carefully developed by Monsignor Kurt Kemo, parishioner and volunteer gardener Mary Jo Stull, and ISA Board Certified Master Arborist Oliver Lester.
Meaningful plant selections and garden design
Every plant and tree in the garden was chosen for a specific purpose. To ensure that the space remains spiritually and culturally significant for generations to come, Oliver Lester made certain that each plant and tree selected for the garden held intentional symbolism and references to Scripture.
One notable example is the arrangement of flowers surrounding Mary's statue in the garden. In the spring, the flowers planted by GFLI landscapers will bloom in blue, white, and red. Blue is closely associated with Mary, white symbolizes purity, and red represents the Immaculate Heart of Mary. These colors will create a vibrant visual focal point in the garden.
Continuing Cathedral Garden Restoration
The restoration of Mary's Garden was phase one of the plan to restore all of the cathedral gardens. Phase two will include the currently unfinished gardens around the cathedral's fountain and an inner courtyard by the rectory, with work planned for next year.
Gregory Forrest Lester, Inc. is proud to contribute to the restoration of these cherished gardens at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, our team offers expertise in landscape design and installation, along with local knowledge and context, allowing us to reimagine these gardens while honoring their historical and spiritual importance.
We are honored to help restore these gardens and create landscapes that are not only beautiful, but deeply meaningful to the community. Read more about the restoration efforts at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, or explore our portfolio to discover more of Gregory Forrest Lester, Inc.'s landscape design, installation, and arborist work throughout the Cincinnati area.
