Zoar Garden

The Zoar Garden was the Separatists' most public expression of their faith, with religious symbolism masked by its lush beauty, and it gave residents and visitors a place to relax and reflect. This lustgarden, or pleasure garden, and its greenhouse were mentioned by travelers as early as 1829. Although some vegetables and fruits were grown there, the garden was filled mainly with flowers. It represented the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21: the center tree symbolized Christ, or the Tree of Life, surrounded by a hedge representing Heaven; the surrounding twelve trees represented the apostles; the radiating paths symbolized the paths people walk in life; and the path around the garden perimeter represented the World. To get to Heaven, believers had to look toward Christ.

Zoar, Ohio · United States