The Cedar Ridge Property

Located along the prayer walk on 63 acres of pastoral meadows and woods, the labyrinth at Cedar Ridge is a sacred place of beauty and peace where people come to draw closer to God. All are welcome to walk the winding path of the labyrinth –an ancient spiritual practice dating back thousands of years.

This 1910 wood structure was renovated in 2001 and again adding more structural security in 2008. The Historic Structure was built when the land was owned by William Spencer. It is a 2-story structure that was used as a dairy barn- stalls on the first floor, hay storage on the second. Since those farming days, the barn now functions as meeting space for the Cedar Ridge community. Youth activities are held there on Sundays.

This farmhouse was originally constructed around 1855, and is a rare surviving example of a once common Georgian Revival type, locally known as the “Spencerville style.” The building is symmetrical and has an almost flat roof. The third story is distinctive, having half-sized windows located directly under the boxed cornice and extending into the roofline. Under the house, there is a full depth basement, which was rare for the time.

The solar farm at Cedar Ridge is a community solar project that provides renewable energy for up to 350 families in our area, including those who live on low to moderate income. Dedicating some of our land to solar energy production is one way we are seeking to live out our vision to treasure the Earth.

Our farm is a little over a half-acre of vegetable and fruit crops, tended by the Cedar Ridge community. Each year we grow well over a ton of organic food, which is given to local groups that serve the hungry and homeless. Although Maryland is the wealthiest state in the US as measured by median household income (and Montgomery County is the second wealthiest county in Maryland) poverty and hunger are widespread and growing problems.

Ten years ago, we installed honeybee hives at Cedar Ridge as part of our commitment to manage our resources well, and from a desire to contribute to the environmental wellbeing of the broader community. Our honeybees not only pollinate the plants on our property, but also pollinate other plants, typically within a two-mile radius. By avoiding use of any chemical treatments, we promote healthy bee colonies by allowing nature to choose genetically stronger bees.

Established in partnership with the University of Maryland Pollinator Meadow Initiative, this garden is planted with a mix of wildflowers and grasses that attract a wide variety of endangered, native pollinators including many different species of butterflies, bees, moths, beetles, flies and birds.