California
Atherton
Sacred Heart School, Chartres Labyrinth
The labyrinth at Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton is located in
Conway Court
between the Main Building and the Campbell Performing Arts Center. It
is a
replica of the labyrinth at the Chartres Cathedral in Paris. It was placed
in the courtyard as the symbolic center of the campus and is used by
students during various classes for prayer and meditation. Guided by
faculty
members, students engage in quiet walking meditation along the winding
path
of the labyrinth, symbolizing the human journey for the search for God
in
their lives. When not in use, the labyrinth becomes a decorative background
and conversation piece for ceremonies and other events that take place
in
this multipurpose space. Unbeknownst at the time by the committee who
chose this design, the labyrinth at Amiens, home of the first Sacred
Heart School, is also a replica of the Chartres design.
Long
Beach
Grace Brethern Church Labyrinth
The
Grace Brethren Labyrinth was commissioned as part of a multi-million
dollar reconstruction of a two-block religious complex that includes
a church, school, preschool, offices, and recreational area.
As the centerpiece of a covered courtyard that connects the main buildings
of the complex, this magnificent 1,250-square-foot labyrinth is an exact
replica of the original Chartres design, minus the lunations. The path
is 12.5 inches wide and extends a total of 750 feet in length. Pausing
stones lead up to the entrance, encouraging people to reflect on their
intention before entering the
labyrinth. Molded concrete meditation benches around the perimeter of
the space provide plenty of space for private meditation and prayer.
When not in use, the labyrinth becomes a decorative background for the
fountain that adds even more beauty to this multipurpose space. Each
petal of the center features a spout that adjusts from the off position
to 6-inch gurgles to 15-foot jets of water with the turn of a gauge.
A large drain in the middle of the concave center ensures proper drainage.
Truly a marriage of form and function, the Grace Brethren Labyrinth is
a work of art that demonstrates our award winning excellence in labyrinth
design and installation.