Collegiate Times

The labyrinth at Blacksburg's Christ Episcopal Church is designed for meditation and prayer, with one route to the center and back.

"We did the whole thing ourselves," Russell said. "We actually ordered the stones from a kit."

The space does not feature merely the labyrinth but also several benches and plants on the perimeter, as well as a handicap-accessible ramp.

Johnson said this was the first time handicap access was available directly into the main sanctuary of the church. Previously, those with mobility issues had to walk a much longer route through the church's library.

The courtyard also features a peace pole, which is a signpost with prayers for peace written on it in several different languages. The final addition to the courtyard will be lighting, Russell said. After the lights are added later this fall, the church's gardening committee will take over the care of the courtyard.

The final plan is to have a large garden cultivated around the labyrinth. Johnson's future vision is to have a therapeutic garden.

"These trees around the labyrinth need to grow so that while you're walking you're only seeing green and Hokie stone," Johnson said.

Various religious groups have used labyrinths since the Middle Ages.

The first recorded labyrinth used in a modern religious setting was around 1201 in the stone floor of the Chartes Cathedral in France. This labyrinth is a smaller model of the one in Chartes.

"They're an aid to meditation and prayer," Russell said. "Many people find it very peaceful because you know you'll get to your destination."

Russell said that he hopes students and town residents will use the labyrinth along with church members.

"We want it to be open 24 hours a day," Russell said. "People can come here to walk the labyrinth of course, or just sit and eat lunch on our benches."

The labyrinth was blessed by the regional Episcopalian bishop this past Easter. The dedication ceremony on Sunday officially opened it to the public.

"The desire was not to create a memorial," Johnson said, "but rather to create a place for future generations to find quiet and peace."

Johnson said since the church is the oldest in Blacksburg, they wanted to make sure that they offered something to the community that came from the whole congregation.

"Virginia Tech has always been connected to the community," Bergquist said. "This is a cool way for the church to offer a place for students to reflect."

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