Ignatius Jesuit Centre
The Ignatius Jesuit Centre property consists of a green belt stretching from the Guelph Lake Conservation Area to the Guelph–Elora Trail. The property is separated into east and west parcels by Highway 6 North. To the west of the highway, the property is over 200 hectares in size: to the east, roughly 40 hectares.
The land exists within the Marden South Wetland Complex — designated “provincially significant” by the Government of Ontario. The land to the east of Highway 6 is managed by the Grand River Conservation Authority. The west parcel, consisting of three higher, arable areas accommodates numerous buildings, forestry and agricultural uses.
There is something about this land that invites the experience
of community, life, and God. Truly the land sustains us.
—
Land Features
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Marden Creek Wetlands
The Marden Creek runs through approx. 2.5 km of the property, of which two ponds are part of the Creek’s watershed. On the southeast corner of the property, the Marden Creek meets the Speed River, a significant joining of two watersheds that have shaped Guelph’s infrastructure.
Mill Ruins
The attrition of a fieldstone foundation: remnants of a saw mill built in 1833 by the land's original owner, Charles Julius Mickle.
Location: East of Hwy. 6 | South of Marden Creek
Organic Apple Orchards
The most widely recognized feature of our lands are the apple orchards. In total, 10 acres of land are dedicated to growing various apple varieties used for cider, butter, sauce and syrup.
Ignatius Farm
The Ignatius Farm accounts for roughly 150 hectares of the Ignatius Jesuit Centre lands. The farm consists of a wide range of crops, apple orchards, Community Garden Plots and our Community Shared Agriculture
Jesuit Cemetery
The Centre is honoured to be the final resting place of many of Canada’s Jesuit brothers.
Statuary
One of many unique statuary on the property. This marble depiction of Our Lady and infant Jesus is located in the Orchard Park Business Centre courtyard.
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Walking and Ski Trails
Over 15 km of trails available for both walking and cross–country skiing. See “Nordic Ski Club” for membership details.
Living Willow Dome
Erected from live Willow plants by volunteers on behalf of Spark of Brilliance, activities at the dome draw from native American sweat lodge ceremonies.
Stations of the Cosmos
An exciting project began in the summer of 2008 at the Centre; the creation of the Stations of the Cosmos. Thomas Berry, Passionist priest and eco-theologian, argues that our culture needs a New Story to guide it into a less destructive ecological age. Such a story integrates the scientific story of evolution with the experience of a sacred presence within the universe. By way of a spiral meditative walk, the Stations of the Cosmos will depict significant “moments of grace” in this Story. Unique to the meditative walk will be the incorporation of stations depicting the Development of Religion, and the traditional Stations of the Cross. The latter is a devotion practiced by Christians for many centuries, depicting the story of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.
The Stations are located in the field next to the apple storage and the community gardens. We are grateful to the Catherine Donnelly Foundation and individual donors for support of this project.
Peace Pole
Each of the more than 200,000 Peace Poles worldwide carry the message “May Peace Prevail On Earth” in a variety of languages and dedicate the surrounding space as a place of peace.
The Ignatius Peach Pole was erected in May of 2009 thanks to many kind donors.
Our Pool
Our swimming pool is just a short walk from Loyola House and Orchard Park Office Centre. The pool is open in the summer and is used my our retreatants and tenants.
Labyrinth
Created by Land Manger, Craig Chamberlain, the Labyrinth suggests a Chartres Cathedral design — a reworking of the ancient labyrinth geometry in which an equal armed cross is emphasized.
Typically there are three stages to walking the labyrinth: “releasing” on the way in, “receiving” in the center and “returning” when you follow the return path back out of the labyrinth. Symbolically, you are taking back out into the world that which you have received.
“Over the last 10 years I have been coming to the Ignatius Jesuit Centre for retreat work, women’s circles, and offering Labyrinth workshops. Each time that I spend there, I come away with a sense of being prayerfully held and guided in my life’s work. In my mind and heart, the Centre holds space for the sacred to make itself known to those who come into this loving and well–grounded environment.” D. Brown, Markham, Ontario
View our Labyrinth brochure for more information
Hermitage
For those seeking an uncommon solitude, the hermitage serves to unwind unbecoming precepts of life in the 21st century.
Location: West of Hwy. 6 | West of Marden Creek
Land Management
The Ignatius Jesuit Centre land supports a diversity of ecosystems, wildlife habitat, micro–climates and adaptive plant species. Growing environments include grassy plains, deciduous and mixed forest, meadows, urban fringe, naturalized and ornamental landscapes, Class 1 & 2 agricultural land and Class 3 provincially significant wetlands.
Land Manager, Craig Chamberlain, maintains all non–agricultural land on the estate. Over 90 hectares of native and ornamental landscapes that facilitate prayer, meditation, education, recreation and community outreach programs.
Affirming our commitment to right–minded environmental stewardship, Craig and his crew maintain our land without the use of synthetic or petroleum–based constituents.
