Garden of Hope for the U.N.

Located on 47^th street between 1^st and 2^nd avenue, almost secluded from the hustle of the big city is Saint Mary’s Garden of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church. Appearing protected by the great walls of the church, this breath-taking garden offers peace and tranquility to anyone seeking a moment. Walking through the gates of this garden almost feels as if you’re passing through to another realm, offering the wonderful architecture of the bridge along with two pools of water on each side. This bridge leads to the focal point of the garden, a statue of the Saint Mary almost hovering above anyone who walks up to it. The aluminum statue provides a sense of hope for those who enter the garden.

The church as well as the garden was built on a stable and was dedicated in 1965 to the needs of the United Nations community and Turtle bay Parish. The statue of the Virgin Mary was cast in Italy. Although this garden is unique because of its urban setting, Mary Gardens are very common throughout the world. Often starting as Parishes planting symbolic flowers eventually growing into gorgeous gardens. There is no particular guideline to adhere to when creating a Mary garden, but all serve the same purpose, create a place for peace and tranquility for one to pray.  

While researching information on Mary garden I could help but feel the creation of these gardens related to Henry Beecher, author of “Religion and the Beautiful”. Beecher spoke on how people were afraid to spend money on beautiful things because they were afraid spending on non-necessity was sinful. These gardens are not a necessity, but provide a beauty that shows God in the garden itself because these gardens are symbolic for life and life is within God. 

After spending some time in the garden of Mary you really do leave feeling a sense of hope and at peace. I am not the most religious individual, but I can see how these places, as uncomplicated as they are provide hope. Perhaps what I like the most about the garden is it does not exclude people from it because its entrance is located on the street. I feel as though the garden welcomes anyone to take part in the peace, which reflects on the church as a whole. Overall I found this adventure through New York to find a religious piece to be a personal experience because I had to select one that stood out to me.