Meditation Garden of Truth and Reconciliation News – Videos and QR Codes

With the Dedication and Blessing of the Meditation Garden in April of 2025, we welcome guests to enjoy this important addition to our Mepkin Gardens. The power and beauty of the Garden dedicated to all the enslaved is a unique component to the history of enslaved here at Mepkin and to the story of all the enslaved in our country.

You can visit the graves of the enslaved who worked the land at Mepkin and were discovered behind the Laurens Cemetery. Also be enlighten by the 7 meditations that make up its inspiring message. Along with the meditations is the beautiful life size bronze sculpture of the Crucified Christ entitled “Thy Father’s Hand” by the artist Garland Weeks.

The historic Henry Laurens Family Cemetery has been restored. Please be sure to visit the graves of Henry and his son John who have been recently honored with special Medallions naming them Patriots by the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution.

Now that all is complete, we offer the opportunity to view three videos of the Meditation Garden: the history of the Laurens family, the Meditation Garden itself and the video of the restoration of the Laurens Cemetery. You can view these three videos on our website at mepkinabbey.org. In addition, a QR Code is available on each of the meditation stands in the garden to make it more convenience to have access to this information.

For the handicapped, a QR Code is available at three locations on the Mepkin property. One is right outside of the gift shop. Another is at the parking area of the Luce Gardens. The third place is at the beginning of the Meditation Garden walk near the opening of the Columbarium and the sign to the Henry and John Laurens Cemetery.

We hope you enjoy the videos and the convenient access to to view these important messages.

WE hope you find the new Garden Map at the top of the steps of the Luce Garden will help you more easily navigate your way to the points that are of interest at Mepkin.