In a city that loves motors — the faster and louder the better — places for quiet contemplation can be hard to find. At Grace Episcopal Church, a garden of simple stones offers an antidote to engines, and lives, that move too fast.

Diana Parker/News-Herald Photo Rev. David Richardson, rector of Grace Episcopal Church, stands inside the labyrinth he designed on the grounds of the church at South Acoma Boulevard and Bunker Drive. A replica of the famous labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral in France, the Grace Episcopal labyrinth is open to the public for reflection, meditation or prayer.

From a distance, the labyrinth looks like a random scattering of rocks. Up close, its complex circular pattern becomes clear, as clear as a labyrinth — which can have mysterious powers for those who walk it — can be.

"It's not a maze — you cannot get lost. The object is not to lose you," said Rev. David Richardson, rector at Grace Episcopal. "It's a walking path that leads into the center and out again."

It takes about 20 minutes to wind one’s way to the labyrinth's center and out again, a journey of exactly 1,000 feet.

"It's meant to give you the opportunity to reflect on anything you want to reflect on — your finances, your marriage, your faith," he said. "I use it to relieve stress. I've actually composed a couple of sermons walking this."

Labyrinths aren't restricted to prayer or religious practice.

According to Veriditas, a San Francisco nonprofit devoted to labyrinths, the constructions actually pre-date Christianity by more than a 1,000 years. They share characteristics with mandalas of the south Asian Buddhist tradition and the Japanese Zen practice kinhin or "walking meditation."

The Grace Episcopal labyrinth is listed on Veriditas' Web site as well as the site of the Quiet Garden Movement in Britain. It's the only recognized quiet garden in Arizona.

Richardson started designing the labyrinth, which is an exact replica of the famous labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral in France, about a year ago. He wanted a true desert labyrinth, so he chose to outline the 50-foot diameter design with 20 tons of Sedona rock.

The project got a jump start from a generous donor who paid for concrete work, walls and benches. Church and community members contributed gravel and trees to complete the landscaping.

The labyrinth will be dedicated today by the Bishop Kirk S. Smith, who visits the church just once every three years.

In April, Richardson will offer instruction on the use of the labyrinth, which he says should be a approached with deliberateness. The classes will be open to anyone who's interested.

"My hope is the community will find ways to use it. It's not just for the church," he said.

You may contact the reporter at dparker@havasunews.com.