A labyrinth being built behind Abbeville's Trinity Episcopal Church is coming along quite nicely.
A labyrinth, broadly speaking, is a maze of paths, and the people of Trinity are hoping that it will provide a source of meditation and reflection.
Erskine professor and Trinity parishioner Dr. Rob Elsner has been a guiding force behind the labyrinth project.
It is expected to be constructed of bricks and gravel, and members of the public are welcome to purchase benches to be placed in and around the labyrinth in honor or in memory of a loved one.
The labyrinth, which is expected to be finished over the next several weeks, is a manifestation of a symbol replete with spiritual significance.
"A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness," according to lessons4living.com.
"It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. The labyrinth represents a journey to our own center and back again out into the world."
The labyrinth will feature Bible verses on plaques beside the paths.
The church anticipates that the labyrinth "will be a wonderful asset to the prayer life of the whole community and it will be advertised as such at the appropriate time," according to the Trinity newsletter, The Abbeville Anglican.
When complete, the labyrinth "will be dedicated to the Glory of God in an afternoon prayer service which will be advertised in Abbeville, Greenwood and Anderson newspapers and on Facebook."
Trinity itself is an iconic landmark of Abbeville. Completed on the eve of the Civil War, this example of Gothic Revival architecture is today the focus of a massive restoration effort.
