In August of 1987, our family heard that a meditation garden was being planned at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Plain, Wisconsin. Donations were being accepted for a statue to be placed in the meditation garden. According to a letter dated October 13, 1987 by the parish secretary, "Maria Plain will be a lasting tribute, established during this Marian Year, to Mary."
On October 16, 1988, the "Maria Plain Meditation Garden" was dedicated at St. Luke's Catholic Church after the 11 a.m. Mass held by Father J. Thomas Fitzgerald. A Madonna with Child statue (facing southeast) was placed beneath maple trees on the south lawn between the church and school building.
Picture from the dedication day:
About October 1995, two angel statues (genuflecting and with hands folded in prayer) were added to the garden, and were placed on each side of the Madonna with Child statue.
Here is a beautiful fall scene of the Maria Plain Meditation Garden in October 1995 before a plaque was installed:
In June 1996, an engraved plaque with names "In Thanksgiving and Appreciation" and "In Memory of" was installed and blessed by Father Michael Resop.
The Maria Plain Meditation Garden in June 1996, showing the new engraved plaque:
Maria Plain Courtyard
Home News, Spring Green, Sauk County, Wisconsin
May 19, 1999, page 16
"May Crowning of the statue of the Virgin Mary at St. Luke's School in Plain on May 13."
In 2002, the Maria Plain Meditation Garden was renovated and re-dedicated as St. Luke's Courtyard, and also known as Maria Plain Courtyard.
From the June 30, 2002, St. Luke's church bulletin in Plain, Wisconsin (Pastor, Fr. Mike Resop):
This project will consist of building an underground drainage system, waterproofing the school and church basement walls in the courtyard, new sidewalk, lights, benches, bricked area around the State of Mary, a reflection pond and landscaping. Monies to be used are from the church reserve account, estate and memorials and individual donations. We are looking at purchasing 3 benches @ $800 each and lights @ 500 each, the reflection pond will cost $2,000 and the trees and plants will cost $3,500. . . .
The maple trees were removed and new trees were planted.
The 1996 plaque was removed from the Madonna with Child statue and replaced with two new engraved plaques. The Madonna with Child and two angels statues were moved so that they were facing north (toward the church) with the school building behind them.
St. Luke Church Bulletin
October 6, 2002, page 3
"St. Luke Courtyard Project: An additional bench has been purchased. A patio table and chairs will be added to the project. If you would like to make a donation for the table & chairs, please call the parish office this week or drop it in the mail. Dedication and blessing ceremony will be the weekend of St. Luke Fest Day: Oct. 19-20.
Blessings, Fr. Mike"
Home News (Spring Green, Wisconsin)
October 20, 2002, page 1 and 19
St. Luke's courtyard dedicated
A courtyard garden and pool between the St. Luke's Catholic Church and school were dedicated and blessed by Father Michael Resop Sunday, October 20 following the 9 a.m. mass. Pictured before the pool with Father Resop are, from left to right, Theresa Coleman, Sister Gertrude Geigle, Sister Helene Marie Doll and alter boys Andy Kraemer and Cody Bindl. The pool is dedicated to Sister Helene. For more pictures of the event, see inside.
Home News photo by Bob Holding.
Sister Helene Marie Doll (center) joins Sister Gertrude Geigle (left) and Theresa Coleman at the dedication of the St. Luke's Church courtyard.
Members of the St. Luke's Catholic Church parish gather for refreshments Sunday morning October 20, in the renovated courtyard following mass. Father Michael Resop dedicated and blessed the courtyard, which includes a small waterfall and pool.
A view of the renovated courtyard area, including the pool dedicated to Sister Helene Marie Doll, before the dedication.
St. Luke Church Bulletin
November 17, 2002, page 3
"Maria Plain Courtyard is Complete! Thanks so much for your donation of
time, talent and treasure to this project. Engraved plates will be
placed in the courtyard remembering and honoring the people who gave
their time, talent and treasure."
New plaque in 2002: "In Thanksgiving for Madonna & Child Statue in Maria Plain Courtyard"
New plaque in 2002 "Maria Plain Courtyard Renovation 2002"
Maria Plain Courtyard, July 2003:
Maria Plain Courtyard, June 2008:
