Labyrinth

St. John's Cathedral is fortunate to own a lovely canvas labyrinth, in the eleven-circuit style found in many churches. This labyrinth usually is in the North Transept of the Cathedral, May through September, for meditation and prayer. Contact the Cathedral office for more information. This labyrinth is not available at this time.

During August of 2013, a second, permanent, labyrinth was installed in the tile floor of the Great Hall. This presentation is an adaptation of an ancient North African design, which is a square instead of a circle. This labyrinth usually is available 10am-3pm, Monday through Friday.

In summer of 2020, an outdoor labyrinth was created on the lawn just south of the Cathedral, with access from 12th Avenue. This labyrinth is available all of the time. Parking is usually available on the south side of 12th Avenue. The outdoor labyrinth is given in memory of Polly McMahon, a long-time Cathedral member.

Labyrinths: A Circle of Meditation

A labyrinth is a pattern with a purpose, an ancient tool that speaks to a long-forgotten part of our consciousness. Lying dormant for centuries, labyrinths are undergoing a revival of use and interest. They offer a chance to take time from our busy lives, to leave schedules and stress behind. Walking a labyrinth is a gift we give ourselves, often leading to discovery, insight, peacefulness, happiness and well-being.

The labyrinth represents our passage through time and experience. Its many turns reflect the journey of life, which involves change and transition, rites of passage, cycles of nature. Different from a maze – which has dead ends and false passages – the labyrinth has a single path that leads unerringly to the center. No time or effort is ever wasted if we stay the course, every step, however circuitous, takes us closer to our goal.

During the Middle Ages, many Gothic cathedrals designed eleven-circuit labyrinths as substitutes for the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, for use as penance, and in other sacred devotions. The most famous of these is the one at Chartres Cathedral, outside of Paris, France.