Montreat Conference Center
Encyclopedia
Montreat Conference Center (also known as the Mountain Retreat Association) located in Montreat, North Carolina
, United States
, is a conference center serving the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
. The word 'Montreat' is a contraction of the words 'Mountain Retreat'.
and in close proximity to Black Mountain, North Carolina
. Montreat consists of approximately 4000 acres (16.2 km²) of land, 2,460 of which are protected under a conservation easement.
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, is a conference center serving the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
. The word 'Montreat' is a contraction of the words 'Mountain Retreat'.
Geography
Montreat Conference Center is located just east of Asheville, North CarolinaAsheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
and in close proximity to Black Mountain, North Carolina
Black Mountain, North Carolina
Black Mountain is a town in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 7,511 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town is named for the Black Mountain range of the Blue Ridge range in the Southern Appalachians.-History:Black...
. Montreat consists of approximately 4000 acres (16.2 km²) of land, 2,460 of which are protected under a conservation easement.
History
- 1897 – A group of ecumenical church leaders, led by congregationalistCongregational churchCongregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs....
minister John Collins, formed the Mountain Retreat Association (MRA). Its purpose was to establish an interdenominational resort and retreat center. - 1905 - J.R. Howerton and the Synod of North Carolina purchased 4000 acres (16.2 km²) of the valley to be owned by the Mountain Retreat Association.
- 1907 - The Mountain Retreat Association holds the first PresbyterianPresbyterianismPresbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
conference. - 1922 - Construction completed on Anderson Auditorium, a large meeting space able to seat 1,500 people.
- 1924 - A concrete dam was constructed (to replace an old wooden one) with funds donated by Susan Graham and her son, Allen. The resulting Lake Susan, a prominent feature in Montreat, was named in her honor.
- 1924 - Construction of the Assembly Inn was completed.
- 1933 - Montreat Normal School became first Montreat Junior College and then Montreat-Anderson College.
- 1967 - The Town of Montreat was incorporated.
- 1974 - The Mountain Retreat Association and Montreat-Anderson College became two separate organizations. Montreat-Anderson College then became Montreat CollegeMontreat CollegeMontreat College is a private, four-year, liberal arts Christian college with campuses located in Black Mountain, Asheville and Charlotte, North Carolina, United States and its primary campus in Montreat, North Carolina. The college offers on-campus traditional four-year degrees, an adult studies...
. - 1983 - The Mountain Retreat Association became known as Montreat Conference Center when the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of AmericaUnited Presbyterian Church in the United States of AmericaThe United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America was the largest branch of Presbyterianism in the United States from May 28, 1958 to 1983...
reunited with the Presbyterian Church (US) to become the Presbyterian Church, USA. - 2004 - 2460 acres (10 km²) of Montreat was placed under a conservation easement to protect the valley from development.