St. Clare Prayer Room and Prayer Garden

One of our older buildings, previously named The Perry House, was built by Mr. Arthur O'Connor, our benefactor, as a replica of a building that had been on the back of our property. The Perry brothers had lived in the original building during World War II. The Perry House had at one time been a gift shop and a "check-in" office for our retreatants. After the conference center was built with an office, the Perry House sat for many years being used as a storage room.

A stable was built into the back part of the Perry House and was inside a corral. Dr. Patricia O'Connor, daughter of Arthur and Irene O'Connor, had several animals inside the corral: a horse, a mule, and a donkey. After Dr. O'Connor's death in December 2017, some time was spent in gathering thoughts about what to do. The animals were placed in good homes and most of the fence was brought down.

Wes Burford, our groundskeeper, had the wonderful idea of a prayer garden to be in the area of the corral. Wes designed the prayer garden, researched different plants mentioned in the bible and planted trees, flowers, and plants based on his research. Wes carved inscriptions on stones with the type of plants and the Bible reference as markers. While in the garden, one will notice olive trees, fig trees, apricot trees, lavender, rosemary, oleanders, and many other plants. Wes also did the mosaic image of St. Clare that can be seen along one garden wall.

Former assistant director, Beverly Collin and our chaplain, Franciscan Father Albert Haase designed the prayer room. Beverly and Father Albert furnished the prayer room with simple cedar benches, a picture and named it the St. Clare Prayer Room. St. Clare was one of the first followers of St. Francis of Assisi and founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic order for women in the Franciscan tradition. Fr. Albert received a first-class relic of St. Clare from the Poor Clare Sisters in Memphis, TN. The relic is now in the prayer room.

Bishop Joe S. Vasqúez blessed the prayer room and the garden on March 28, 2019.