St. Paul the Apostle Rectory Garden

This landscape design project transformed the grounds of a historic church and rectory into a welcoming garden that serves both the neighborhood and the priests who call the rectory home.

The church’s front yard was designed as an inviting extension of the community. With open lawn, generous pathways, mature plantings, and gathering spaces, the garden has become a place where neighbors and parishioners gather, school children play, and the entire community can enjoy the landscape much like a small neighborhood park.

The rectory garden offers a more intimate retreat—a private oasis for the priests and their guests, while also providing a beautiful setting for parish gatherings and special events. A magnificent 60-year-old Majestic Beauty Olive tree was carefully craned into the garden, creating an immediate sense of maturity and permanence.

A custom built-in bench, clad in colorful tile, draws inspiration from the original Spanish architecture of the 1920s rectory. Its warm palette connects the new landscape to the historic character of the building, creating a garden that feels both timeless and welcoming.