Celtic christians developed the concept of a “thin space” which they described as a location where heaven and earth come together. To me, it’s a place where I’m more aware of God’s presence all around me and it usually occurs in nature. There are places I can revisit, again and again, where that feeling is consistent and those become sacred spaces for me. For this photographic essay, I documented places that are sacred to me, but I also included places that are sacred to others, particularly the Acjecheman people who are the indigenous tribe in my area. As you review these photographs, I hope they bring to mind the thin spaces in your life where you become intimately aware of the God who surrounds us.
Christ Cathedral (formerly the Crystal Cathedral). It is the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange and is believed to be the first protestant church to be converted to a Catholic place of worship.
The Bolsa Chica Mesa is an Acjecheman sacred site. A collection of cogged stones were discovered at this site that are unique in anthropology - found only here and at a site in Chile. Their use is still unknown, but they were likely used for ceremonial purposes.
Santa Ana Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in Orange County. One of my brothers is a pastor and I remember him telling me how he finds conducting funerals satisfying, even for people he doesn't know, because the barriers people use to protect themselves come down when faced with their own mortality.
This is the labyrinth at Shepherd of the Hills Methodist Church in Rancho Santa Margarita. Slowly walking a labyrinth is an ancient method of meditation. You can find one near you at: https://labyrinthlocator.com
This is the location of Panhe, an Acjacheman village where they first had contact with the Europeans who would colonize them. The first Christian baptism in California occurred up this canyon on July 22, 1769.
My church family - Trabuco Presbyterian
One of my favorite hiking trails in O'Neill Regional Park. I feel closest to God when I'm out in nature.
This is a statue of Corrone who was the female chief of the Putuidem village. It is located on the campus of JSerra High School and was built to help assuage the Acjecheman people when the school built a soccer field over their ancient burial site.