Find Inner Peace at the Hildegarden

We could all use a little sanctuary. The Hildegarden is just that — beckoning people of all faiths to connect with divinity, themselves and each other. The new retreat center takes its mind-body-spirit approach from 12th-century St. Hildegard who was known for her creativity. The former Byzantine Catholic Church in Fairport Harbor, which glows with rainbow patterns from the sunlit stained-glass windows, plays host to yoga, open mic nights and more. It’s a place for the imaginative and inspired. “Part of the vision was that the space could be used as a means for people, wherever they are in their journey, to get reconnected and grow without having to subscribe to a creed or doctrine,” says executive director Shanon Sterringer. Group events include documentary showings, monthly artist markets and discussions such as Encountering the Divine in Fairy Tales. Introverts craving solitary exploration can drop by during weekly quiet hours to meditate, meander through the courtyard or walk a mile to Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park Beach. 630 Plum St., Fairport Harbor, 440-754-8002, thehildegarden.org