Sacred Spaces
Sanctuary
Renowned Vancouver architects Sharp & Thompson designed the original single-aisle church, built in 1913. George Sharp was a member of the congregation and lived across the street from the church site.
The church is Arts and Crafts style, similar to an English village church. It has shingled and board-and-batten walls. Inside are stained glass and brass lanterns.
Ecclesiastical architects Twizell & Twizell designed the 1947 additions to either end of the church. William Rhone designed upgrades in 1989 and 1994.
There are two main entrances: one at the corner of 37th and Larch, and an internal entrance accessible via the main office building.
Memorial Garden
The Memorial Garden or Garden of Remembrance is a beautiful and peaceful place where the ashes of loved ones can be scattered so they can be visited by the parishioners when they come to church so they have a meaningful moment in the presence of God. It can also be a place to spend a moment of tranquility and reflection among the flowers. It is located between the Sanctuary and the Parish Hall.
If you or your family wish to have a loved one scattered in the Garden please do not hesitate to contact the office so we can discuss a possible Garden service. Don’t feel discouraged if you are not yet a member of the parish, you can still submit a request for your loved ones to be added into the Garden.
Labyrinth
In 2012 we integrated a labyrinth into the gym floor when it was refinished. It is a full-sized replica of the one in Chartres, France, which is among the most famous labyrinths in the world and is frequently replicated due to its simplicity.
Labyrinth Background
Labyrinths have roots in Eastern and Western spiritual traditions. For some it symbolizes the path Jesus Christ took in his resurrection: He would cross the labyrinth to defeat the devil, and triumph against death, so He can offer a light to everyone that follows him to eternal life.
Nowadays, it has become established as a metaphor for life's journey. The symbolic voyage takes the spiritual traveller into the depths of the self and then back out into the world. The labyrinth becomes a mirror of where we are in our lives.
The Practice of Labyrinth
Walking the labyrinth is a practice used to connect with oneself, to meditate and find peace, or to reflect on the journey of life. There are no dead ends or false paths in a labyrinth, just one way in and one way out, so as not to get lost. The multiple turns welcome reflection as attention is needed as one walks through. Finally, the walker reaches the center, which can represent various things: the true self, the heart, peace, enlightenment, and more. This way, the crossing of the labyrinth can be a truly personal and moving experience.
Our Labyrinth Availability
The labyrinth is open for public use either during scheduled timeslots or by appointment.
Scheduled Labyrinth Hours:
Sundays 7:30am-12:30pm
Or by appointment – reach out to:
office@stmaryskerrisdale.ca
If you would like some guidance on walking the labyrinth, please reach out to us. We also hope to establish a regular church service that uses the labyrinth – stay tuned for more information!