Georgia Magazine - May 2022 - 28

Around GEORGIA
R.L. Hughey and Debbie McNeil designed and
constructed the mosaic bench positioned in
the center of Franklin's labyrinth.
The Labyrinth of Rome was built in 2010 at the site of an
erosion-control pond from the Great Depression era.
Continued from page 26
Like Dent, thousands of people worldwide have
discovered that navigating the curves of labyrinths
helps them quiet their busy minds and find focus.
Some describe them as tools that aid meditation,
prayer and spirituality.
Others say that the experience enhances
problem-solving skills, creative thought and rightbrain
activity.
A quick search of the World-wide Labyrinth
Locator at labyrinthlocator.com reveals that
Georgia is home to more than 90 of these intricately
patterned walkways. They come in all shapes and
sizes and embellish parks, churches, backyards and
the interiors of buildings.
Here are a few notable labyrinths in the Peach
State.
The Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta
bit.ly/stphiliplabyrinths
Material: Brick/paver
Size: 39 feet diameter
Year installed: 2012
" Along with the indoor, canvas labyrinth that we
open on the third Monday of the month from 7 to
8 p.m., we have an outdoor labyrinth-modeled after
the design in Chartres Cathedral in France-that's
open to the public daily, " notes Jeannie Mahood,
program coordinator for spirituality at the Cathedral
of St. Philip. " Though not an exact replica, the geometry
of it is similar and it has 11 circuits as well. "
Circuits are the paths radiating from the
center. Larger, more intricate designs with many
circuits require a longer walk to navigate to the
center and back.
" We also have a third labyrinth [made of canvas]
that we loan out to local groups, " Mahood adds.
28 Georgia Magazine May 2022
Labyrinth of Rome, Rome
romegeorgia.org/labyrinth
Material: Grass and brick/paver
Size: 90 feet diameter
Year repurposed: 2010
With a nice mix of sun and shade, the stone-and-brick, multitiered
design near the Jackson Hill trail system forms a large labyrinth in a parklike
setting. Its history is one of metamorphosis.
During the Great Depression, a Works Progress Administration work
crew built an erosion-control pond at the site. By the 1960s and 1970s, folk
artists had adopted the space, which was bowl-shaped like an amphitheater,
for poetry readings and small, intimate musical performances.
The late Ed Baker of Rome had another idea. Baker, who worked in the
restaurant industry, was a fan of labyrinths and didn't know of any within
50 miles of Rome. He collaborated with local government officials and
volunteers to transform the area into a labyrinth. Baker dedicated it to his
daughter, Sarah, noting: " May love guide us. May fear leave us. May peace
be with us all. "
Heritage Baptist Church (HBC), Cartersville
hbccartersville.org/hbc-labyrinth
Material: Grass and brick/paver
Size: 62 feet diameter
Year installed: 2017
Members of the HBC congregation had discussed installing a labyrinth
on church property when Morgan North, a Cartersville resident who now
is enrolled at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, approached Pastor
Michael Tutterow to discuss potential Eagle Scout projects. The timing was
perfect.
" Morgan secured the donations of materials and money, " Tutterow
says. " He did the research and found the design. Dozens of volunteers
came out to help, and after four weekends, we had this beautiful labyrinth
at the back of our church property. "
Open to the public from dawn to dusk, the five-circuit labyrinth winds
to a center that features a wooden cross and views of nearby hills.
" We hold our Easter sunrise services there, " Tutterow adds. " We walk
Continued on page 30
toward the cross that morning and reflect. "
BETH BURGOON
AMBER LANIER NAGLE
http://www.romegeorgia.org/labyrinth http://www.labyrinthlocator.com http://www.bit.ly/stphiliplabyrinths http://www.hbccartersville.org/hbc-labyrinth
Georgia Magazine - May 2022

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