Labyrinths, Fountains, and Faith: A Wednesday Walk to Piedmont Community Church

There was a strong turnout of 48 walkers and four K-9 best friends at the Exedra last week for our Piedmont Recreation Department’s Walking on Wednesdays walk. Additionally, we had four special guests.

Walker and Piedmont Community Church member David H had recently told the group about a new memorial mediation garden at the church, and we wanted to see it. The garden, which includes a labyrinth and fountain, is dedicated to church member Judy W' late husband, Bob, who died in 2024.

Church member Sonja ten G, who will be attending Boston University in the fall, brought the garden to life as a Girl Scout Gold Award Project. Church member Suzie S, Church Council President Paul S, and a host of volunteers dedicated their time and energy to create the garden. Donations from church members and friends paid for its construction.

Before we walked to the Community Church some of its history was shared. The Piedmont Sunday School was started in 1900 and met occasionally in various homes until the San Francisco earthquake in April 1906. It moved soon after to a home’s carriage house on Hillside Avenue. Enrollment grew and the Sunday School Association was formed. In 1907 Reverend Mowbray led the Sunday school as an interdenominational project, and Mowbray Hall was built in 1908/09 on Vista Avenue, opposite Piedmont’s Albert Farr-designed City Hall. The Masons acquired Mowbray Hall in 1912 and used it until the mid-1950s when it was razed to extend the new Havens School playground.

In 1910 the Church of Piedmont was organized and in April 1912 the Sunday School Association united with the Church of Piedmont to become the Piedmont Community Church. Piedmont philanthropist Wallace Alexander and his wife Mary made it possible to acquire 1.5 acres for the new church in November 1913. Albert Farr also designed the church building. Its groundbreaking was in 1916, and the church was dedicated on January 6, 1918. Planning for the Christian Education Building started in 1947 and was dedicated in September 1949.

With this historical information, we made the short trip across Highland Avenue and up to the church’s side back walkway. We went up to the new meditation garden where Sonja ten G and her mother, Lisa F, with their K-9 best friend, Auggie, met us.

Judy W started off by telling us that she and her husband, Bob, moved to Piedmont in 2000 and became involved in the church. After Bob died, Judy wanted a memorial at the church for him. About this time Sonja also wanted to create a meditation garden for her Gold Award project, which requires more than 80 hours of work. Judy said Bob loved labyrinths. The area at the backside of the church was an ugly patch of weeds and they collaborated with other church members to transform it. It took two years, during which Paul Schroeder almost single-handedly removed a concrete wall, and the resulting garden is lovely.

Sonja explained that the garden with its labyrinth and the fountain are intended to bring nature into lives and encourage contemplation about life and what a person wants to do with it. Sonja and Suzie S selected a handsome rock for the fountain. Paul said two new benches were included in the garden and lights in the trees will brighten the walkway at night. Sonja said her project, like all Gold Award projects, should have a lasting impact on the community. This space is open to the community for quiet meditation and reflection.

After Judy, Sonja, and Paul finished telling us about the garden, walker and church member Dottie Hutch took us for a church tour. She led us into the youth chapel, and we were impressed by its stained glass windows. Then we walked to the church courtyard and through Guild Hall, where countless community events have been held. For a finale, Dottie took us into the church’s K-9 best friend friendly sanctuary with its beautiful woodwork, impressive ceiling trellises, and pipe organ with 3,000 pipes.

Dottie, David H, and Paul S more information and answered questions. The church is the oldest nondenominational church west of the Mississippi River. About 300 members regularly participate in services in person and online. The church’s historical mission is than of service to the community, the local area, and the world. The meditation garden is just its latest contribution. The visit to the Community Church was an uplifting and very enjoyable Wednesday morning walk.

P.S. Attached are a group photo of us at the meditation garden and also a fun photo of the church in the early 1900s.