Welcome to Forest Sanctuary
A restored, historic community space in Forest, Ohio for rediscovering
stillness • shared • music • neighborliness • resilience • and shared care of the land
“A place to resonate with the rhythm of goodness.”
Forest Sanctuary is a season-centered community sanctuary and neighborhood self-sufficiency garden in Forest, Ohio—a living demonstration of how silence, song, food, shared work in the dirt, and creative service to each other can restore our natural sense of time, meaning, and belonging.
Rooted in a beautifully restored, historic former Presbyterian chapel with stunning stained glass murals and a beautifully functioning pipe organ we work to preserve and protect, the sanctuary now serves gathering place for neighbors, local groups, and visitors seeking quiet, beauty, and meaningful time together, as well as including a residence for resident caretakers.
OUR PURPOSE
Our goal is modest and practical: to keep this beautiful third place open, welcoming, and useful to the community. Forest Sanctuary preserves a peaceful gathering place where people can:
- work together in the garden and share food
- learn and practice disciplines that cultivate focus and character
- share music and conversation
- sit quietly and learn stillness
- strengthen the whole family through traditional martial arts
- host community meetings and nonprofit gatherings by donation
The building and grounds are cared for by residents, neighbors, and area volunteers who wish to cultivate quiet, simplicity, beauty, goodness, respect, and community participation.
OFFERINGS
Forest Sanctuary keeps a gentle weekly rhythm open to our village and neighboring communities. Each evening at 7:00 PM the sanctuary is open for quiet sitting meditation. Wednesdays are reserved for youth karate and focus training, and from April through October neighbors gather Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM to tend the community garden together. We also host occasional open houses with music, organ playing, and tea.
You are warmly invited to join us on April 5, 2026 at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary to learn about the 2026 growing season and see how you can participate!