San Diego First Methodist Church and Labyrinth, April 18, 2013

When I was at the Presbyterian Church on the hill, I was sharing with one of the office workers and she recommended I visit a Methodist church on a hill over the I-5 freeway that has a labyrinth and is a San Diego Landmark. The next day I took my car into the Buick dealer for oil change, and right next door was the very church recommended. It didn't take long and I was soon immersed in beautiful music in a beautiful sanctuary as the organist was practicing for a funeral later that afternoon. This is how I saw the First United Methodist Church from the Buick dealer parking lot.

Driving into the church was straight up a hill. They had 4 tiers of parking.

The black part is
digital and changes.

From the street.

This First Methodist Church was originally on Ninth Ave and 'C' Street in San Diego. When they built this new one they brought the cross that stood over the entrance that was hand chiseled stone in 1907. They have used the stained glass from the original church in the entryway of the new one and several places around the property, including one over the secretary in the church office.

Under the cross

Overlooks the day school.

In the foyer. Aren't these stairs beautiful!

The stained glass from the original church.

Imagine walking into this beautiful sanctuary that was consecrated in 1964 with the music playing.

The stained glass is darker near the top
and gets lighter as it goes down.

Close up at the top.

The altar in front of the hill behind.

Close up of the mosaics.

Small kneeler and baptismal font.

I believe they get communion in the pews.

Lectern

This organ has pipes
on both sides of
the altar.

Side of the pews are mosaic.

Same mosaics around the wall light
and the ceiling lights.

Looking at the back from the altar
with all these pipes for the organ.

First time I have seen aids
for the hearing impaired.
Our church could use these.

Other places around the church.

Stained glass windows
from the first church over
the secretary's desk.

A small chapel, very modern
and intimate.

Although this is a small
chapel, it has a pipe organ, too.

If you've looked closely at
the Methodist symbol, you'll
see the Holy Spirit flames.

Outside the small chapel is the labyrinth.

The Labyrinth tucked away in a corner.

Sit down with me and rest awhile...
This bench is placed on the one edge
of my photograph that you can't see.
I thought of Fr. Reed and his bench.

They are narrow circuits.

Small but powerful!

In the back is a memorial garden and columbarium and bells.

A mausoleum may contain crypts
and columbarium niches for burials.
(I had to look up the difference in the words)

Effective way to use a hillside!
This is only s small portion of the wall
that winds around the back of the property.

Memorial Bell Tower

Cross on top of the bells.

The bells