I will lead the blind
by a road they do not know
by paths they have not known
I will guide them.
I will turn the darkness before them
into light,
the rough places into level ground.
These are the things I will do,
and I will not forsake them.

Isaiah 42:16

Welcome

Welcome to the Courtyard of All Soul's at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Port Townsend, Washington. You are welcome to spend time in the courtyard, enjoy the garden, and walk the labyrinth.

We hope you will find this to be a place of reflection and peace.

History of Labyrinths

The labyrinth is a tool for contemplative prayer and meditation that dates back thousands of years before Christ. Some form of the labyrinth is found in almost every culture and religious tradition. The earliest Christian labyrinth was found in Algeria in the 4th century. Walking the labyrinth became an acceptable alternate form of pilgrimage offered to medieval Christians who found travel to Jerusalem too difficult. Even today, the center of the labyrinth is know as the "New Jerusalem" or "City of God." Walking the labyrinth can be seen as a metaphor for our own spiritual journeys.

Walking the Labyrinth

A labyrinth is a single meandering path which leads to an inner circle. The same path is followed to leave the labyrinth. Unlike a puzzle maze, a labyrinth is designed for you to find your way with no wrong turns, obstacles, or dead ends.

There is no right or wrong way to walk a labyrinth. The only choice your need make is to enter the path. As you enter the labyrinth, you may find it helpful to pause at the threshold, become aware of your body, and set an intention for your walk. "I am a pilgrim seeking--"

As you begin to walk, allow yourself to find the pace your body wants to go. If you share the path with others, feel free to pass around one another.

Going in can be a time of releasing--letting go of distractions from your path. Arriving at the center can be a time to stop and be fully present. Stay in the center as long as feels right.

When you are ready, walk out on the same path you walked in. Carry your unique experience with you out into the world.

The Labyrinth in the Courtyard

The Courtyard of All Souls at St. Paul's was installed in June of 2004 after nine months of prayerful planning. Over 100 volunteers from the parish and community worked on its planning or installation.

The courtyard is built of sand-set pavers and includes a labyrinth modeled on the 11-circuit design of the Chartres Cathedral in Northern France. The labyrinth is 30 feet in diameter. The stones in its mosaic rosette center were collected on local beaches and donated to the parish by members of St. Paul's and the larger community.

The entrance to the labyrinth is located at the east corner of the courtyard, near the steps to the sidewalk on Jefferson Street.

For more information about St. Paul's courtyard, or to schedule a guide labyrinth walk for your group, contact Margaret D. McGee at  (360) 385-3489. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it