Writings and FAQ

Writings and Correspondence

This Month in Montreat – March 2021

| Posted on 03/05/2021

Plans for a New Lodge

| Posted on 03/12/2021

Lodge Site Selection

| Posted on 03/19/2021

Looking Forward: Our Mission and Calling

| Posted on 03/26/2021

On Growth, Change, and Montreat’s Essential Character

| Posted on 04/09/2021

Year End Thoughts and Thanks

| Posted on 04/23/2021

End of Fiscal Year Update from MRA Board Chair

| Posted on 04/30/2021

Thank You for Your Support of the Montreat Fund

| Posted on 05/07/2021

With Gratitude

| Posted on 07/16/2021

An Update on MRA’s Lodge Project

| Posted on 08/24/2021

Board of Adjustment Approves Application for Montreat Lodge

| Posted on 01/07/2022

An Update from Richard DuBose on the Lodge Permit and Huckleberry Renovations

| Posted on 04/08/2022

Reality Check

| Posted on 07/15/2022

The Gift of Being Together

| Posted on 07/22/2022

The Perfect Church

| Posted on 07/29/2022

Superior Court Reaches Decision on MRA Lodge Permit

| Posted on 05/25/2023

Mountain Retreat Association Files Notice of Appeal

| Posted on 10/20/2023

Testing Board Decisions and Assumptions

| Posted on 07/19/2024

MRA Board of Directors: Meeting Summary for Fall 2024

| Posted on 12/02/2024

My theology and beliefs remind me that we are gifted to give. We are blessed to bless. This is the very ethos of the MRA. May we all collectively seek to hear God’s voice over and above our own.
- Rev. Amantha Barbee, MRA Board Member

Frequently Asked Questions

Unlike a hotel and just like other lodges we operate on our property, the new lodge will mostly be available for group rentals. It will provide a shared, residential experience, discreet sleeping, meeting, and eating spaces. The lodge concept allows groups to cook for themselves and manage their time together while participating in our programs.

Unlike a hotel, the lodge is open only to participants in our programs, not the general public.

The design contains 40 rooms. The conceptual design had 48 rooms, but a clear preference for “quality over quantity” emerged during the schematic process, and so the final number was lowered to 40. Regardless, there is a need for more guest rooms on the conference center campus. Less than 30% of summer conferees stay in one of our lodges or Assembly Inn. At the same time, as church and retreat groups become choosier about where they will retreat, we must update our lodging options to attract these groups in the fall, winter, and spring.

These additional spaces will allow the new lodge to host either one larger group or up to three different groups, each with their own assigned meeting and eating spaces. In similar fashion, the meeting spaces in the new lodge will be designed to create a “sense of home” for groups to gather throughout their time in Montreat. Providing multiple, discreet spaces for up to three groups presents a challenge to our architects, and our team is still planning and evaluating how best to design flexible kitchen facilities and meeting spaces to meet these needs.

The Town of Montreat’s ordinance for parking requires that our design provide one parking spot per room. The proposed plan for parking does add parking spaces on Georgia Terrace and does provide substantial underground parking. Of course, since the new lodge is being designed to accommodate groups, guests will often arrive in mini-busses or by carpool, lessening the demand for these parking spaces, and we don’t expect much competition for parking spaces most times of the year. Nevertheless, the plan will accommodate our guests as necessary.

As the founders and original developers of Montreat, we want to preserve the area’s architectural and pastoral charm more than anyone. Our architects are taking the look and feel of Montreat’ s unique style into account as they craft the design of the lodge. Rooflines, wood, stone, and craftsman styles have all been a focal point of this project in hopes that it will pay homage to the architecture of this place.

While they have served Montreat guests for many years, the three lodges currently on the property do not hold any historic designation. Chestnut Lodge and Lord Apartments both require significant, expensive renovations, which are not prudent given the age and condition of the buildings. The Galax house, while in good condition, only sleeps eight people, and is presently used for weekend family groups and small gatherings. Our current lodge design will pay homage to the Galax house by incorporating some of its features, including a beautiful gathering porch as a focal element.

Absolutely. In fact, we can’t afford not to. For the future health of Montreat, and our ability to host more families, church groups and individuals, it is necessary that we create more guest lodging on our property and to support our ministry. Our financial position is strong, and a separate capital campaign for this project is in the “quiet-phase” planning stages, and is exceeding expectations so far.

As the original stewards of Montreat, the MRA continues to maintain our commitment to preserving and protecting the beauty of our surroundings.

We have placed the majority of our land, approximately 2,500 acres, in conservation and greenspace so its natural beauty will be preserved forever.

Preservation of Montreat’s natural beauty is closely tied to the long-term prosperity of Montreat itself: our respect for its history, hopes for its future, and an outcome in this process that serves all who come here.

Most of the spaces in Montreat are available to the public and maintained by the conference center. We are gratified that our hiking trails, Robert Lake Park, Lake Susan, the tennis courts, and swimming pool are enjoyed by so many each year.

The MRA-owned land is zoned for lodging, the purpose it serves today, with three small lodges on the site. This project will be considered by the Town of Montreat Board of Adjustment at its next meeting¹.

If all goes as expected, we hope to break ground in 2023.

¹A previous version of this FAQ refered to a Board of Adjustment meeting in late August. In fact, the Board of Adjustment meeting will be scheduled upon submission of finalized plans and the attendance of its members.

Email lodgeproject@montreat.org