This is the Presbyterian (USA) Retreat Center in Montreat, North Carolina, and is known universally among Presbyterians in the southeast as simply, "Montreat." It was my pleasure to go on a retreat with church friends there last weekend. A walking tour, shortly after we arrived, lead us past beautiful Lake Susan.
The conference center contains these old pews made of black walnut wood that have weathered over the years. I love that they look so well-used and at peace.
This mural in the Chapel of the Prodigal, is of course, the Return of the Prodigal, painted as a fresco by artist Ben Long. You can read more about it here.
And I loved this inset in the stone work in the courtyard of the Assembly Hall, where we slept. Such a beautiful, peaceful place. Now I know why everyone speaks the word Montreat in such hushed tones.
