Most Charming of Chapels

The Garden Chapel at Unity Village is a gem hidden in plain sight

I am an introvert by nature. Sure, I’ll dress up in the occasional apple costume and skip around the fountains here at Unity Village, but for me, blatant displays of extroversion like that are few and far between.

For the most part, I’m a fairly chill, reserved person whose moods don’t swing too high or too low. I try to stay as centered as possible, and working at Unity Village has helped me in this endeavor.

One of the things I enjoy most about the grounds is that you are never far from a chapel, place of worship, or some type of sacred spot where you can calm your thoughts for a few moments and enter the Silence.

Examples include the Chapel in the Woods, the Unity Village Chapel, the Silent Unity Chapel, and the Fillmore Chapel, each offering its own unique atmosphere. But my absolute favorite is the Garden Chapel, which just might be one of the most overlooked places on campus.

An Outdoor Chapel for All Seasons

To find this hideaway, walk into the Silent Unity Building from the door the faces the Unity Tower, and turn right. Then look for the large open-air courtyard through the glass doors on the left. This beautiful space is more or less hidden in plain sight. It’s one of those places where time seems to stop, chaos becomes calm, and the quiet is as comforting as a favorite blanket.

During the spring and summer months the space is bursting with life. Flowers are in bloom and green is everywhere, yet there isn’t any busyness about it—the sanctuary remains peaceful.

In the fall and winter, quiet and solitude take over. It’s during this time when the Garden Chapel is at its most tranquil. There’s something beautiful about sitting in quiet prayer as crisp, clean winter air fills your lungs. Even the cardinals that fly overhead seem to stay quiet as they perch for a rest in one of the four Bradford pear trees that stand in the courtyard’s corners.

The courtyard is small, only about 46 feet by 60 feet, although it looks a little bigger because there is no roof over it. The focal point is a modest concrete fountain, topped by a pair of affectionate-looking birds.

In winter, the fountain is transformed into a Christmas tree, and in summer, the bubbly sound its water makes gives you a sense of sitting near a trickling creek.

The ground here is lined with slate. Nestled among the modest flowerbeds are four benches set to the compass points and facing the center of the courtyard. The arched glass windows (tinted to lessen distraction from the lobby) on all four of the courtyard walls add an almost monastic element.

Introvert, with Nature

The Garden Chapel reminds me of one of my favorite Bible verses, which describes my approach to praying (since I’m not really big on outward displays of emotion): “Whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6).

Ever since I was little, I’ve always felt more at peace in nature than in a church, and maybe that’s why I find the Garden Chapel so inviting. It’s as though it’s a special place just for me where I can go when I feel that God and I need to have a quick chat.

Of course, Unity Village offers many different places to spend some quiet time with Spirit, and each of them has its own personality and appeal. But I’ll take the Garden Chapel any day. After all, this special spot is introvert-approved.

This article appeared in Unity Magazine®.