Welcome to 
The Presbyterian Church in Needham's Prayer Labyrinth

The prayer labyrinth at The Needham was built in 2003 by a Boy Scout from Needham as an Eagle project. Many people from the surrounding community are enjoying the spiritual renewal offered by the prayer labyrinth. Currently The Presbyterian Church in Needham is conducting a series of discussions on prayer labyrinths. The labyrinth dates back to prehistoric time, and is perceived as sacred space. It seems to have been an integral part of many cultures, such as Celtic, Mayan, Greek, Cretan, and Native American.

The oldest exisitng Christian labyrinth is probably the one in the fourth-century basilica of Reparatus, Orleansville, Algeria. And while Christians used labyrinths on pre-Christian sites and modeled their own after ones used by earlier cultures, the development of the high medieval Christian seven circuit labyrinth was a breakthrough in design. Its path of seven circles was shaped like the Cross, and thus incorporated the central Christian symbol. Use of these labyrinths flourished in Europe throughout the eleventh and twelfth centuries and beyond, especially in the French cathedrals of Chartres, Sens, Poitiers, Bayeaux, Amiens and Rheims and in the Italian cathedrals at Lucca and San Maria-di-Trastavera in Rome.

From June through August, the congregation of The Presbyterian Church in Needham worship every third Sunday outside at the Prayer Labyrinth enjoying the wonderful memorial garden surrounding the labyrinth. Join us for breakfast at 9:30, worship at 10:00, fellowship at 11:00 and adult bible study at 11:30.