The view of KWU's devotional garden in this artist's rendering looks north toward
Pioneer Hall from above Cloud St. (Image provided by Bob Brown)

New devotional garden to enhance
green space behind Pioneer Hall

MEDIA CONTACT: Leslie Eikleberry, Director of Public Relations, 785-827-5541 ext. 1127

July 7, 2010

Later this summer, an area dedicated to devotional contemplation will grace the Kansas Wesleyan University campus. A new devotional garden is scheduled to be dedicated in October during the opening week of KWU’s year-long 125th anniversary celebration.  The first stages of construction have begun this week, and passersby on Cloud Street can watch the construction progress.

An artist's rendering of the view looking toward Cloud Street

“This is a tremendous and much needed addition to the campus,” said President Fletcher Lamkin. “Many years have passed since the campus had an area dedicated to devotional contemplation. This garden is a beautiful way to fill that need as well as to reaffirm our ties to the United Methodist Church in a meaningful way that benefits our community.”

The devotional garden, located on the lawn south of Pioneer Hall, will include a seven-ring labyrinth based on the Chartres Labyrinth design from the 13th century, said Bob Brown, KWU Groundskeeping Supervisor, who designed the garden.

“Prayer or meditation labyrinths were common in Europe as a way to foster mediation and to get closer to God.  During the 17th and 18th centuries, this dropped off due to the perception that labyrinths were connected to paganism.  Interest in prayer or meditation labyrinths began to grow again in the 19th century and they are now popular with contemporary Christianity, he said.

Brown explained that the four quadrants of the labyrinth symbolize the cross. The center of the labyrinth symbolizes a return to the pure state from which we were born.  The pathway leads us to this state both spiritually and metaphorically.

“The prayer or meditation labyrinth garden has one entrance and one exit.  You cannot get lost. There are no tricks or secrets to it.  You walk with an open heart and open mind,” Brown said.

The devotional garden will include a large United Methodist cross and flame, benches, and numerous plantings. The estimated cost of the garden is $27,000. Naming opportunities will be available. For more information about naming opportunities or how you can contribute to the KWU devotional garden, please contact Doug Burgardt, Director of Development, at 785-827-5541 ext. 1123.