The Gardens of Saint Patrick are due to open April 1
On a stretch of land beside St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Maysville, Kentucky, a long-undeveloped patch of land is being transformed into a new destination rooted in faith, art and landscape. Set to open this spring, the Gardens at Saint Patrick will span eight acres, guiding visitors through a re-creation of the Stations of the Cross—Jesus’s passion, crucifixion and burial– in a setting designed for reflection.
Jerry Lundergan, lifelong Maysville resident and parishioner of St. Patrick Catholic Church, says the gardens are “a sacred space for reflection and spiritual renewal,” where visitors are invited to engage with “Christ’s suffering, sacrifice, and love” through a combination of natural and manmade surroundings. The garden has a walking path throughout, allowing guests to move at their own pace.
The idea for the project traces back to Lundergan, who grew up visiting the cemetery with his family. Those early experiences instilled “a deep reverence for sacred spaces,” he says. Later, this would perhaps lead to a vision for something more permanent. Developed alongside his wife, Charlotte, the gardens are intended as a gift to the church and community that shaped their lives.
What distinguishes the project is both its scale and its interpretation. In addition to the 14 Stations of the Cross, the gardens include a 15th station representing the Ascension. Organizers say the addition reflects a broader understanding of the story, one that “moves beyond suffering and death to victory and eternal life,” Lundergan says. The final sculpture, he says, is meant to underscore “the promise that suffering is transformed through faith.”
The physical transformation of the site has been years in the making. After more than five years of planning, construction began in June 2025. Since then, crews of 40 to 50 workers have been on site daily, according to Lundergan, to prepare the landscape and install the infrastructure needed to support the installation. The sculptures themselves required more than two years to complete.
To bring the artistic vision to life, the Lundergan commissioned Italian sculptor Reto Demetz, whose family has produced religious works for generations. The official unveiling of the sculptures is scheduled for April 1, 2026, during Holy Week, with a public opening set for May 12, aligning with the week of the Ascension.
While the project is grounded in its religious mission, its impact is expected to extend beyond the church grounds. Organizers say the gardens are designed to draw visitors from across the region, contributing to local tourism and supporting nearby businesses.
At the opening approaches, these investments represent a significant investment in Maysville—one that connects personal history, large-scale craftsmanship and community development in a single space.
