Zelda Fitzgerald returned to her home town of Montgomery in April 1940 with a wounded spirit. She came to Montgomery alone to live with her mother following her discharge from Highland Hospital, the most recent psychiatric hospital where she had been treated for schizophrenia. Years of struggling with the disorder as well as the electro-shock treatment Zelda had endured had taken a toll on her.
St. John’s Episcopal Church became one of Zelda’s primary places to seek solace in those days. While she attended Sunday services at her childhood parish, Holy Comforter, she told her friend Sara Mayfield that most weekdays she sat “in peace and serenity” in St. John’s Episcopal Church.
This geocache is hidden in the front courtyard of St. John’s which boasts an impressive brick labyrinth. A labyrinth is an ancient meditation tool in which one releases worries and distractions while walking the path to the middle, remains in the middle while opening oneself to the divine, and walks back out into one’s life, empowered by the spirit. You are encouraged to walk the labyrinth while you are there to seek the same sort of “peace and serenity” Zelda found at St. John’s during her own struggles.
The courtyard is gated, but is open to the public at all times. The geocache was placed here at the request of the church, so feel welcome to linger and enjoy the courtyard. You are looking for a small square camo matchstick holder. Log only.