A Place to Pause: Quiet Garden Prayer Walk in Ballymoney

Wednesday April 29th 2026

The Rev Patrick Barton, centre, rector of Ballintoy, Dunseverick and Rathlin, was among the many guests who travelled to Ballymoney for the first Quiet Garden Prayer Walk. More pictures in our gallery below.

Nestled behind St Patrick’s Church in Ballymoney is a small space that has become a gentle source of peace for many who visit it, writes Kasala McCurdy.

Kasala is a parish reader in St Patrick’s, and she and her husband William manage the running of the Quiet Garden – including weeding, planting and events.

Over the past months, members of our parish have been developing a Prayer Walk within the Quiet Garden – a reflective pathway marked by simple stations that invite visitors to slow down, breathe, and draw close to God.

The project grew from a desire to create a ministry that doesn’t rely on programmes or events, but on presence – the quiet, steady presence of God meeting people where they are. Each marker along the path offers a short reflection or prayer, encouraging worshippers and visitors to engage with Scripture and with creation at their own pace.

Whether people come seeking comfort, gratitude, guidance, or simply a moment of stillness, the garden provides a safe and sacred space to meet with God.

What has surprised us most is how many different groups have found the garden meaningful. Individuals stop in after school runs or shopping trips, parish organisations have used it as part of their devotional time, and those walking through town have paused to read, reflect, and rest.

The Prayer Walk has become a ministry of quiet hospitality – a place that welcomes without words and speaks to hearts without hurry.

In a world that is often noisy, fast-paced, and demanding, spaces like this are deeply needed.

The Quiet Garden invites us to step aside from the pressures of daily life and remember that God meets us not only in our churches and services, but also in our silences, our questions, and our moments of stillness.

We would love to encourage other parishes across the Diocese of Connor to consider making use of this ministry. Whether you bring a group for a guided reflection, plan a parish quiet day, or simply encourage individuals to visit, the garden is open to all. Our hope is that it can be a blessing not only to Ballymoney but to the wider church family.

If your parish would like to explore the Prayer Walk, arrange a visit, or learn more about how it can be used, you are warmly invited to get in touch. The garden is a simple space – no fuss, no agenda – but God has been using it in gentle and meaningful ways. We would be delighted to share it with you.

You can contact Kasala McCurdy at kdlg82@hotmail.co.uk to book a Prayer Walk or to receive notes for a self-guided walk.

Our photo gallery includes visitors from Mothers Unions in the area, Ballymoney Parish itself, and others who came along for the first Quiet Garden Prayer Walk.