Following an inspiring visit to the Church of St. Joseph’s gardens at Kelly’s Cross, P.E.I. and having received suggestions from and the blessing of the congregation, planning began under the guidance of retired Truro landscape architect, Ron Laking, with project priorities established as follows:

• accessible and welcoming for all
• multiuse: meditation, worship, entertainment, gardening mentorship
• sensory engagement through carefully chosen plantings and features
• environmental stewardship
• the establishment of living memorials
• selection of species likely to be long-lived
• ease of maintenance to ensure the long-term viability

Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.~ Warren Buffett

We are indebted to our forbearers in the church who had planted a variety of trees and shrubs, now grown to maturity and offering a vibrant setting for our contemplative garden.

All water is holy water. ~ Rajiv Joseph

Gifted by Ethel Rudolph and family, in memory of Inez, Johnnie, and David Rudolph, our water feature was created by Andrew Marshall of North Shore Ballast & Concrete Works, Pictou from retired grindstones donated by Angie and David Burrell in memory of Fraser Burns, Doug and Sylvia Hayward in loving memory of Ellen & Jack Hayward, Sandy and Ruth Mackay in celebration of their families.

Be still and know that I am God ~ Psalm 46

The Tree of Life finger labyrinth guides visitors gently into meditation. Mounted atop a pedestal embellished with ancient Celtic medallions, the sculpture of Wallace Quarry sandstone is the creation of stonist Colin Craig of Craig Stone Works, Wolfville, and gifted to the garden by Rev. Mary-Beth Moriarity.

The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper name.~ Confucius

Distilled from names suggested on our Ponderings Door during the September 2019 dedication service and with a nod to the small, secluded valley that embraces the garden between Faulkland Street and the church, “Spirit Glen” was determined to be the “proper name” for our contemplative garden.