Welcome to St. Marks Memorial Garden Labyrinth. Our labyrinth is based upon the eleven circuit labyrinth laid into the floor of the Chartres Cathedral in France around 1220 A.D. Our courtyard is open to all parishioners and the public at all times.
Labyrinths are part of our mystical tradition that seeks for a connection to God on a personal nature, and that seeks to share this spiritual life and strengthening in the transformation of the world around us, through us!
The design of the Labyrinth has a complex meaning and possibly served as a calendar for the early church to ascertain the lunar feast of Easter. As you look at the labyrinth you will see that the outer circle contains twenty-eight lunation's (cusps) per quadrant. There are twenty-eight days in a lunar month and the four quadrants equate to the four seasons. The rose in the center of the labyrinth symbolizes the Holy Spirit, beauty and love. The six petals of the rose symbolize the six days of creation.
It is believed that the history of the labyrinth spans over four thousand years. The oldest known example is found in a rock carving at Luzzannas in Sardinia and believed to date from 2500 to 2000 B.C. The term "labyrinth" was first recorded by the Greek Historian and Philosopher, Herodotus who lived around 500 B.C.
In early Christianity in Europe, the labyrinth was used to substitute for the long and dangerous journey to Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Historically, Christian pilgrims walked a symbolic spiritual journey to and through Jerusalem, retracing the Jesus' footsteps.
The labyrinth has only one path, it is not a maze. There are no tricks or dead ends. The path winds throughout and is intended to mirror your life, where you have been, where you are now and where you are being led in the future. It will touch your sorrows and release your joys when walked with a heart and mind open to the presence and spirit of God
Purgation begins your walk from the entrance of the labyrinth to its center. This ancient word comes from the root "purge" means to release, to empty oneself, to center and be still. It is also a shedding of things that hold us down, and a powerful cleansing of mind and soul. We are called to let go of what blocks our connection to the Divine.
Illumination is the second stage found at the center of the labyrinth. It is a surprise when you reach the center because the winding path seems so illogical. After walking and cleansing yourself of mundane concerns, you find the center a place for prayer and meditation. Here you may receive insight and illumination. With an open heart and mind, you are better able experience what God may be communicating.
Union happens as you leave the center and follow the illogical and winding path you entered by. Prayer and meditation in this stage has a grounded and empowered feeling. Often there is inspiration on ways to integrate and act upon feelings and insights you have encountered. The essence of union is communication with God, being absorbed and surrounded by Him in your life.
St. Marks Memorial Garden Labyrinth was constructed by ZeeGee Landscaping, David Zett and Frank Gorschalk. It was blessed by the Reverend Paul Gennett Jr. on November 21, 1999. The people who put the time and effort into seeing this project completed include John and Annis Rogers, Paul and Marilyn Gennett, Bill and Doris Horner, Lisa Bell-Loncella, Susan Kelly, Emily Just, Pat Shaffer, Kitty Batrus and John Bixler.
An Animated Diagram of the Chartres Labyrinth
St. Marks Memorial Garden Labyrinth Slideshow
Making a Canvas Labyrinth Slideshow