The Richmond Peace Labyrinth and Meditation Garden at St. Alban's Anglican Church

The Labyrinth at St. Alban’s has now been completed, and is open. You are welcome to walk and enjoy it.. 

The Official Opening of the Peace Labyrinth on 21^st June 2009.

We are very pleased to be able to acknowledge funding from New Horizons programme of the Federal Government as well as many local contributions that enabled this project to move ahead.

The Richmond Peace Labyrinth is located on the north side of St. Alban's Anglican Church Hall and was built from bricks in a single winding purposeful path from the edge of the circle to the centre. It is 42 feet in diameter with a 16 inch wide path. It is a replica of an 11-circuit labyrinth of Chartres Cathedral in France that was constructed sometime between 1194 and 1220. A Labyrinth is a walking meditation tool. It represents the journey inward to our own centre and back out to the world again. Labyrinths are known to help promote meditation, a quiet mind, balance, and insight. They are used in celebration, in uniting community, in supporting mental health and as a path of prayer. The health benefits of walking labyrinths have been proven by their use in hospitals, respite and palliative care facilities. They have also been found in parks, churches, schools, prisons, memorial parks and retreat centres around the world. Research conducted by Dr. Herbert Benson from Harvard Medical School’s Mind/Body Medical Institute has found that labyrinth walking is among the simplest forms of focussed walking meditation.  He found that focussed walking meditation was a very efficient way to reduce anxiety and to elicit the relaxation response.  Other effects included lowering blood pressure and breathing rates, reduction of insomnia, improved concentration and well-being.

The Meditation Garden in Phase 2 will also provide a calm, peaceful and beautiful environment for sitting meditation and further reflection in a busy city centre. 

The St. Alban's Labyrinth Team look forward to:

• providing Richmond with its first labyrinth for all people as a cross cultural and inter-faith tool of well-being
• providing an outdoor, accessible labyrinth that is open and available all day for every season
• providing an easily accessible activity for both able-bodied and disabled individuals
• providing seniors and the general public a place and activity that encourages social well-being, physical movement and spiritual practice
• bringing diverse members of the community together to enrich their lives by reducing social isolation and promoting mental and spiritual health regardless of age, gender, physical capacities, or faith tradition
• providing special events, programs, and workshops to community groups and interested individuals by trained facilitators
• providing new opportunities for senior leadership and community service for all

Fundraising Goals:

• To raise additional funds to complete the construction of a labyrinth & meditation garden, for labour, materials and constructions costs through donations from the generous community
• All donations will be gratefully received and a tax receipt will be provided

For more information please contact the office.

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