9 labyrinths to walk in the Charlotte area

Walking a labyrinth is an ancient practice in many faiths and traditions. Many people walk labyrinths as part of their meditation or prayer. It’s a practice that you can do right here in Charlotte, if you know where to look. 

Many people like to walk a labyrinth on Winter or Summer Solstice.

In addition, World Labyrinth Day is the first Saturday in May every year. Check out one of these labyrinths and see if they’re holding any special events. Or just find one to walk. The official time for World Labyrinth Day is 1 p.m., and participants worldwide will be walking labyrinths at 1 p.m. local time, but events might take place other times.

A labyrinth is a a geometric pattern. Some people think it’s the same thing as a maze, but the big difference is that there’s just one path. You can’t get lost. There are no dead ends.  You simply follow the path to the center, pause, and then retrace your steps on the way out. The one path takes twists and turns, but you don’t have to make a decision about which way to turn. 

Labyrinths are made from many different materials. Some are marked with grass, some are brick, some are stone. Most are outside, but there’s at least one indoor labyrinth in Charlotte.

Walking a labyrinth is a quiet activity. If you meet someone going the opposite way on the labyrinth, simply step aside and let the person continue. Respect other people’s contemplative space by remaining quiet.

Read on to learn about a few of the labyrinths in the Charlotte area. Unless otherwise indicated, all of these labyrinths are open to the public. Please do follow the link for each to get more information, and to ask any questions. We encourage you to verify with the organization that visitors are welcome, and that there aren’t any planned events taking place when you want to visit. 

Looking for more labyrinths? This isn’t a complete list of Charlotte’s labyrinths. We are just including the ones where we were able to get in touch with the labyrinth’s host to verify that it was open to the public. Use LabyrinthLocator.com to find one near you.

The Grove

The Grove
5735 E. W T Harris Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28215
Visit any time

The labyrinth is about a half-acre. It’s natural and rugged. It will look very different depending on when you go. Sometimes the walls are very tall and sometimes  they’re cut short, but the path is always visible. It can be muddy after a lot of rain. Also look out for ant mounds in the spring and summer. You’ll find the labyrinth behind the church, next to the soccer field. Look for the two red squiggly markers to see where to enter the labyrinth. 

First United Methodist Church of Belmont

First United Methodist Church of Belmont
807 South Point Road, Belmont, NC 28012

In March of 2021, First United Methodist Church of Belmont installed this labyrinth on the floor of their outdoor pavilion. All are welcome.

Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center

Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center
200 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204

The Jack Matney Memorial Labyrinth is a memorial to Jack Matney, who was a patient of Novant Health Hospice. During his illness, his wife Linda dreamed of an outdoor spiritual space that was close close enough so that she could be by her husband’s side in a moment’s notice. Through a partnership with Novant Health Hospice, the Jack and Linda Matney Foundation established a fund to construct this labyrinth in the hospital’s center courtyard. Today the labyrinth is a place of peace, solace and comfort to patients, families, visitors and staff.

The Jack Matney Memorial Labyrinth is a collaboration of nationally-recognized artists and architect, Tom Schultz and Linda Matney. The labyrinth design reflects Jack Matney’s life of faith, family and friends.

• The circular paths symbolize the loved ones who walk with us through life.
• The two identical sides signify the children – Jack Jr. and Laura.
• The six-petal center stands for the six Matney grandchildren.
• The labyrinth’s outer “cups” represent the Matney’s overflowing “cup of life.”

In 2008, the Jack Matney Memorial Labyrinth Courtyard expanded to include a Prayer Wall and Prayer Corner and in 2017, a beautiful Remembrance Wall was added to complete the courtyard.

The courtyard is open during the hospital’s visiting hours. Please check with Guest Services regarding visiting hours prior to visiting the facility. 704-384-4000.

Avondale Presbyterian Church

Avondale Presbyterian Church
2821 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209

The Sacred Garden at Avondale Presbyterian Church contains a labyrinth and wind chimes. The labyrinth in Avondale Presbyterian Church’s Sacred Garden is modeled after an ancient design as used in the Chartres Cathedral in France.

Davidson College

The Davidson Labyrinth
Hobart Park, between Faculty Drive and Baker Drive, Davidson

The Davidson Labyrinth is part of Davidson College’s Buddhist and Meditation Initiatives. It’s lit at at night, making it accessible any time. 

Sardis Baptist Church

Sardis Baptist Church
5811 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC 28270

The labyrinth at Sardis Baptist Church is open to the public. Lights are being added, and will be available sometime in the summer of 2024, making the labyrinth available in the evening. Its wide path makes it wheelchair accessible. Visitors can find a guided meditation, as well history and information about labyrinths at the entrance. The church also incorporates the space into their regular worship services, including Easter Sunrise, All Saints Day, Palm Sunday, and Advent. 

Myers Park Baptist Church

Myers Park Baptist Church
1900 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207

The labyrinth at Myers Park Baptist Road is patterned after the 14th century labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral in France. It was created by the artist Tom Schulz, a member of the congregation, and is open to the public 24 hours a day. It’s well lit. Occasionally the space is used for other activities by the Cornwell Center, the church’s family life center, and is not available. If you’d like to bring a group, please contact Rainey Underwood by email at runderwood@myersparkbaptist.org, or by calling 704-334-7232 ext. 125.

McCrorey YMCA — Almetto Howey Alexander Labyrinth

McCrorey Family YMCA
Almetto Howey Alexander Labyrinth
3801 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28216
You can visit this labyrinth any time from dawn to dusk. You don’t have to be a member of the YMCA to visit. The only time it’s not available is when there are special events or YMCA classes taking place at the labyrinth.  You can find a flyer inside the YMCA with additional information. This labyrinth was the dream of Almetto Howey Alexander, a civic and community leader in Charlotte. This labyrinth was designed by artist Tom Schulz. It’s based on the conventional eleven-circuit pattern, but incorporates ancient African symbols. It’s believed to be the first Afro-centric labyrinth in the United States. 

Myers Park United Methodist Church

Myers Park Methodist Church
1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207

Myers Park United Methodist Church has one of the only area labyrinths that is inside a building. It’s open during normal church hours, but it’s a shared space and will sometimes be occupied. If you’re interested in visiting the labyrinth, please email Taylor Pryde Barefoot by email at tbarefoot@mpumc.org, or call the church front desk (704) 376-8584. They’d love to connect with any interested folks. And, in the meantime, enjoy this virtual visit to the labyrinth.

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