THE SACRED HOOP GARDEN AT NORTHBRAE
A WALK AROUND THE GARDEN
The garden is entered through a gate off the church parking lot, next to the dawn redwood. The entire area is enclosed by a stone wall six feet high made from rock matching the church walls. A narrow path leads up to the center. The garden is encircled with plants, all native to this area, each used in some way by the Huchiun people. A flat clearing on the north side is dominated by one large coast live oak. The clearing is large enough for about 30 folding chairs so that small ceremonies can be held in the garden.
In the center, low sitting stones surround a medicine wheel. The medicine wheel is an eight foot diameter circle of stones on the ground. It is one of the universal symbols of spirituality for Native Americans.
To the south is an area of large rocks and wildflowers. The columbarium is tucked in the southwest corner, separated from the rest of the garden by a low rock wall. The columbarium wall, 5' high and 20' long, looks out on the garden.
The stained glass windows in the Chapel of the Northbrae Community Church honor every major religion in the world except indigenous religions. In the years since 1959, when the chapel was built, Native American religions have taken their place as a major source of inspiration and spirituality. This garden will honor them. It will also honor all those who came before us, the Huchiuns who were here first, and all who have been here since. It is a place where we ourselves can be remembered. It will be a place where our history can be remembered.
We intend this to be a simple, elegant, natural area - a quiet, secluded place - a sacred place - a place where friends and neighbors of the church can find peace.
A WALK AROUND THE GARDEN
The garden is entered through a gate off the church parking lot, next to the dawn redwood. The entire area is enclosed by a stone wall six feet high made from rock matching the church walls. A narrow path leads up to the center. The garden is encircled with plants, all native to this area, each used in some way by the Huchiun people. A flat clearing on the north side is dominated by one large coast live oak. The clearing is large enough for about 30 folding chairs so that small ceremonies can be held in the garden.
In the center, low sitting stones surround a medicine wheel. The medicine wheel is an eight foot diameter circle of stones on the ground. It is one of the universal symbols of spirituality for Native Americans.
To the south is an area of large rocks and wildflowers. The columbarium is tucked in the southwest corner, separated from the rest of the garden by a low rock wall. The columbarium wall, 5' high and 20' long, looks out on the garden.
The stained glass windows in the Chapel of the Northbrae Community Church honor every major religion in the world except indigenous religions. In the years since 1959, when the chapel was built, Native American religions have taken their place as a major source of inspiration and spirituality. This garden will honor them. It will also honor all those who came before us, the Huchiuns who were here first, and all who have been here since. It is a place where we ourselves can be remembered. It will be a place where our history can be remembered.
We intend this to be a simple, elegant, natural area - a quiet, secluded place - a sacred place - a place where friends and neighbors of the church can find peace.
