Last month, a unanimous ruling from the North Carolina Court of Appeals reversed a trial court decision that set aside a Special Use Permit for the Mountain Retreat Association (MRA, dba Montreat Conference Center). The Court of Appeals ruling restored the Special Use Permit that the Town of Montreat had granted the conference center to build a new lodge on its campus. You can read the court’s 48-page ruling here. On Wednesday, we were notified that the neighbors opposing our project have filed a petition to the North Carolina Supreme Court for discretionary review of the Court of Appeals decision. The petition …
Press Release: Mountain Retreat Association Announces New Vice President of Development
MONTREAT, NC — The Mountain Retreat Association, Inc. (MRA) is excited to announce the Rev. Dr. Marti Reed Hazelrigg as its next vice president of development. “Marti brings exactly the kind of energy and enthusiasm that Montreat needs in this moment,” says MRA President Richard DuBose. “Her deep love for Montreat and the church, her proven leadership experience, and her engaging presence make her an ideal fit for this role and a tremendous addition to our senior leadership team. We are thrilled to welcome Marti as our new vice president of development.” As a member of the senior leadership team, Marti …
Press Release: Appeals Court Reverses Lower Court Decision on Montreat Lodge Permit
MONTREAT, NC — A unanimous ruling through a 48-page opinion from the North Carolina Court of Appeals has reversed a decision by a trial court that set aside a Special Use Permit for the Mountain Retreat Association (MRA, dba Montreat Conference Center) to build a new lodge on its campus. The Court of Appeals ruling restores the Special Use Permit to build the lodge. The MRA’s Board of Directors approved the plan for a new lodge in 2021 and has repeatedly affirmed its intention to develop the site for the MRA’s mission and ministry. The special use permit was granted to …
Press Release: Montreat Conference Center Receives a Grant to Strengthen Churches Amid Shifting Landscapes
MONTREAT, NC — Montreat Conference Center has been awarded a nearly $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. as part of its Thriving Congregations Initiative 2025 Scaling Program to continue its work on congregational vitality. This new four-year grant will enable Montreat to work with 75 congregations, building on the success of its initial phase, which concludes this year. That phase supported 30 congregations across three cohorts. The expanded program will welcome additional congregations into the full cohort experience and establish two regional hubs to broaden the initiative’s reach and impact. “This generous support from Lilly Endowment affirms the importance of our work with congregations and provides us with the resources to deepen the impact of the program,” …
Press Release: Renovation of Lake Susan Begins
On October 31, 2024, the Mountain Retreat Association (MRA) dba Montreat Conference Center began a project to restore and revitalize the much beloved Lake Susan on its campus in Montreat. The lake and accompanying dam have long served as an important stormwater reservoir and flood control device. During Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, significant amounts of sediment and debris were captured in Lake Susan, only increasing the importance of the previously scheduled dredging. Equipment staging and site preparations began on October 30, 2024. Parking on Assembly Drive above the lake will be closed until project completion, scheduled for the end …
Nurturing Young Adults at The Manna Retreat
The Manna Retreat is an initiative to create a conference space for young adults at Montreat Conference Center. This column by Rev. Sarah Speed recalls the first iteration of the event.
Mountain Retreat Association Files Notice of Appeal
Mountain Retreat Association files notice of appeal regarding new lodge permit.
Superior Court Reaches Decision on MRA Lodge Permit
Superior Court Sets Aside Mountain Retreat Association’s Permit to Construct New Lodge
Board of Adjustment Approves Application for Montreat Lodge
of Montreat Board of Adjustment to begin work on a new lodge in Montreat, the conference center’s first significant new building in 30 years.
Erdelyi Family’s Montreat Story
The First Visit The Erdelyi family first discovered Montreat when Mike volunteered to join his church’s youth director, Michelle Thomas-Bush of Riverside Presbyterian Church – Jacksonville, FL, at the 2000 Montreat Youth Conference. It was the Sunday after leaving his job at UPS to be a stay-at-home parent, allowing Susan to focus on her role as the City Attorney for Jacksonville Beach. So, he packed their two girls, Alexis (8) and Laura (6), into the car and headed to the mountains. Their first impression was of both excitement and welcome. As they pulled up to the Currie Craft Center, the first person they saw was Ann Laird Jones, their church’s former interim youth minister. She joyfully shouted, “Welcome, Erdelyis!” From that moment on, they were “totally in heaven.” The girls felt like rock stars playing on stage in Anderson Auditorium, and they loved their time in clubs. Mike was really impressed with how well the …