The Rosary garden at Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, Md.,was completed in late August 2014 and was blessed by Archbishop William Lori in early September as he celebrated mass with the students and donors. The garden was financed through about 10 donors with McHale Landscape Design donating $65,000 of material, along with pro bono designs. Other donations equaled $50,000, covering the remaining costs to implement the project.

The chapel benches that create the pews are rough cut pieces of 4"x 12" white oak and are stained dark brown. They sit on a textured and sienna colored stained concrete patio. The structure for the chapel was also constructed from heavy timbers with exposed purlins and cedar shake shingles.

Steve McHale, a registered landscape architect, and his family have been a part of Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, Md. for nearly 12 years. His three sons graduated from the high school and the fourth is currently a junior. The Rosary garden was conceived and created as a gift from McHale Landscape Design to Archbishop Spalding to continue to strengthen the school's Catholic identity.

The garden was completed in late August and was blessed by Archbishop William Lori in early September as he celebrated mass with the students and donors. The garden was financed through about 10 benefactors with McHale Landscape Design donating its design services plus $65,000 of material. Other gifts equaled $50,000 covering the remaining costs to implement the project.

The garden has become the centerpiece of the school and is used for classes, mass, and for individual reflection and prayer.

Over the past 10 years, Archbishop Spalding has made major improvements to their athletic facilities, academic spaces and technology but had not found a way to enhance the Catholic identity with something tangible. The Rosary garden was the answer.

A few years ago McHale discussed the idea of an outdoor chapel with the school's administration, but they could not determine the best location for it. One day last spring, McHale was walking through the courtyard that had a few trees and some wild flowers. It occurred to him that this would make a good spot for the rosary garden.

The courtyard was completely secure. Windows of the administration offices and classrooms surround the courtyard so the space can be viewed by many. The space is large enough to accommodate 60 to 70 people but small enough to feel private and intimate.

The design was developed to include three spaces in one: the rosary patio, the chapel, and the bereavement memorial. The intention was to use durable, low maintenance materials and have a comfortable but rustic atmosphere in the garden. The space is a place for prayer, reflection, bereavement and education.

In June 2014, officials from the county, school and archdiocese approved the plans. Construction began with a deadline of the first day of school in early September. The biggest challenge during the construction process was accessing the courtyard through two sets of double doors, about a 7'x 7' entry way. Everything was carried through the doorway including 25-foot long pieces of 4"x 12", 14-foot trees, 10 yards of concrete, 500 sq.ft. of flagstone and three statues weighing 5,000 pounds each.