In Fall 2024, Calvary built a permanent labyrinth and garden on the north side of the church on Lincoln Street for the enjoyment and spiritual enrichment of the parish and the broader community. We continue to raise funds for the completion of the project. Your donation supports this transformative space in downtown Santa Cruz.
Result of Labyrinth Community Build Day, October 26, 2024
For more information: calvarysantacruz.org/labyrinth or
email: labyrinth@calvarysantacruz.org or
phone: 831-423-8787
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a labyrinth?
A labyrinth is a meandering path, often singular (unicursal), leading to a center. Labyrinths are an ancient archetype dating back 4,000 years or more, used symbolically as a walking meditation, path of prayer, or ceremonial site, among other things. Labyrinths are a tool for personal, psychological, and spiritual transformation, also enhancing right and left-brain cohesion. Labyrinths evoke metaphor, sacred geometry, spiritual pilgrimage, religious practice, mindfulness, well-being, and community building. – Adapted fromThe Sacred Path Companion by Lauren Artress, Riverhead Books, 2006.
Why a labyrinth in Downtown Santa Cruz?
Our vision of this project is to provide a place of respite and renewal in the heart of Santa Cruz for downtown residents, workers, and visitors. A 7-circuit classical labyrinth at the center of a vibrant and colorful garden on the grounds of Calvary Episcopal Church will invite visitors to follow its winding path, relax, and reflect. The ancient symbol of the classical labyrinth surrounded by a garden of native California plants will be a fitting testament to the deep roots of this land. At one time, the indigenous people of the Uypi tribe lived and walked here. Calvary Episcopal Church was built here in 1864. Walking the labyrinth will be an opportunity to remember the paths others have walked before us.
Who can use the Labyrinth Garden?
Anyone and everyone! Any time of day! The Labyrinth Garden is a place for the entire community. Once built, you can start, refresh, or end your day with a walk on the labyrinth. Book your group for a bonding exercise, or attend periodic guided walks held for the community.
Who designed the labyrinth and the garden?
Calvary partnered with:
Lars Howlett, master labyrinth designer who developed a custom elliptical design for a 7-circuit classical labyrinth. He will also direct the building of the labyrinth including community involvement.
Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping who developed the landscaping design and will build and install both the labyrinth and the landscaping.
What type of garden is planned?
Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping are specialists in the practice of organic gardening and the ethics of permaculture. They will convert the current gopher-ridden “lawn” with a beautiful, healthy, and sustainable garden of mostly native plants. We look forward to achieving the status of Monterey Bay Friendly Landscaping (green-gardener.org).
What will the labyrinth be made of and how will it be built?
Lars Howlett designed a custom elliptical labyrinth in the 7-circuit classical style to fit the space on the north side of Calvary Church. It will be composed of decomposed granite for the pathways and McNear sandmold bricks for the lines (mcnear.com/paving-brick/sandmolds/). The labyrinth will be installed upon standard roadbase materials and gopher netting. The labyrinth will be built with community volunteers under the direction of Lars Howlett on October 26, 2024. The excavation and roadbase will be installed by Terra Nova Landscaping.
What is the timeline for the Labyrinth Garden project?
Excavation began the week of October 14. On Labyrinth Community Build Day, Saturday, October 26, over 80 volunteers laid 750 pathway bricks in less than an hour. The filling in of the pathways and the installation of the surrounding garden will be complete by Thanksgiving 2024. With rainy and chilly weather, the pathways will take a few weeks to fully dry, and the plants need a little time root and become more established. The protective fencing around the garden will be removed on January 3, 2025 and the garden will be open to the public.
What about security for the Labyrinth Garden?
Calvary is working with Terra Nova to ensure that the Garden has installations to protect the garden, in addition to the security lighting already in place.
How is the Labyrinth Garden being funded?
The project is being funded through grants, church funds, and individual gifts from parishioners and the wider community. The project is expected to cost $160,000. As of December, the church has raised $110,000.
How can I make a donation? Is it tax-deductible?
Donations are gratefully accepted online at calvarysantacruz.org/labyrinth, or by mail to Calvary Episcopal Church (check designee), 532 Center St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (memo line – Labyrinth Garden Fund). All donations are tax-deductible.
Is there a donor recognition program?
We’ve established donor recognition levels to help you reflect on how you might commit to the project. All donors above the level of $500 will be recognized in a prominent display in the garden featuring a cross-section of the Douglas Fir that stood on the property for at least 100 years. Donors in the range up to $499 will be recognized in the program for the dedication ceremony.
Visionaries $5,000 +
Gardeners $3,000 – $4,999
Pathmakers $2,000 – $2,999
Planters $1,000 – $1,999
Groundbreakers $ 500 – $999
Garden Crew $ 1 – $499
Can I make a memorial or dedication gift?
We encourage memorial gifts, honorary gifts, and gifts of thanksgiving. If you would like to make such a dedication, simply include your information in the memo line in the online giving form, or on your check.
How can I help?
- Join our mailing list to stay up-to-date on the project. Email labyrinth@calvarysantacruz.org.
- Attend one of our Open Houses to learn more about the project.
- Tell your friends and neighbors!
- Volunteer to help build the labyrinth at a community day in Fall 2024, under the direction of Lars Howlett, master labyrinth designer.
- Donate to the Labyrinth Garden Project at calvarysantacruz.org/labyrinth, or by mail to Calvary Episcopal Church (check designee), 532 Center St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (memo line – Labyrinth Garden Fund). All donations are tax-deductible.
For more information:
Email: labyrinth@calvarysantacruz.org
Website: calvarysantacruz.org/labyrinth
Phone: 831-423-8787 10/2024