OUR STORY

William Black Lodge located in Montreat, NC, is a special place and unique facility.  In the middle of preserved wilderness, Montreat Conference Center, and the Town of Montreat, William Black Lodge offers affordable facilities including lodging and food service for church groups, non-profit groups, family reunions, events, for up to 50 persons.   The conference facilities can accommodate up to 65 for meetings, day retreats and other events.
Individuals and families, including PCUSA persons in ministry, can enjoy the private cottage and guest rooms in the lodge as available.
The Lodge is operated as a non-profit facility led by an 12 member board of directors on behalf of the PCUSA Synod of the Mid-Atlantic.
The lodge is just four miles from Interstate 40, a short drive from downtown Asheville and Biltmore Estate.  We're very close to Black Mountain and thousands of acres of the best adventures that Western North Carolina has to offer. 
Facilities include a large meeting room/chapel and guest cottage accessible via West Virginia Terrace or a stairway between the cottage and lodge.   

The original NC Home for Religious Workers was founded in 1915 as a guest house for North Carolina Presbyterian ministers and missionaries and others attending church mission gatherings and events in at Montreat.  We continue this mission and ministry offering lower rates to PCUSA congregations and members as special rates for PCUSA Persons in Ministry throughout the year.
In partnership with Hands and Feet of Asheville, the lodge is year-round residence for Young Adult Volunteers of the PCUSA.  These volunteers reside on the 3rd floor of the lodge and help out with meal service and other hosting roles.
Looking to the future, William Black Lodge is seeking to develop new partnerships with congregations, groups and leaders who seek a space to gather wherein Christian faith and spirituality might be explored and experienced beyond tradition.
As it has for over 100 years, William Black Lodge staff seeks to make each and every guest feel welcome, comfortable and at home while enjoying Montreat and these beautiful mountains.
We invite you to make William Black Lodge the home for your next great experience.

O U R    M I S S I O N

To provide a comfortable and peaceful setting
where all persons are welcome to come for
renewal, worship and fellowship,
​surrounded by the beauty of the North Carolina mountains.

The ministry of the lodge is to provide moderately priced accommodations in Montreat
for persons in ministries of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Meet Our Team

William Black Lodge staff includes:
Rev. Tommy Brown - Director
Rev. Dr. Laurie Furr-Vancini - Guest Services Manager
Laura Austin-Rawlings & Noah Austin-Rawlings, Foodservice & Facility Managers
Katy Creasman Conner - Housekeeping Manager
Harmony Lemerond - Housekeeping
Serenity Wright - Foodservice/Housekeeping
Morgan Clark - Foodservice/Housekeeping
​Dylan Buckner - Foodservice/Housekeeping

Board of Directors

Rev. Peter Hazelrigg - Pilgrimage Professional Development Group - Salem Presbytery - Chair of the Board
Melanie Spencer - Montreat, NC and Philadelphia, PA - Montreat Cottager - Vice Chair & Chair of Development Committee
Melva Lowry - Augusta, GA - Northeast Georgia Presbytery - Secretary
Rev. Bill Buchanan - Director Youth Mission Co - WNC Presbytery - Treasurer
Joy Berry - Business Support Manager, Bank of America - Charlotte Presbytery 
Gary Anderson - Retired Engineer - Salem Presbytery
Rev. Andy Cooke - Pastor, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Augusta, GA - Northeast Georgia Presbytery
Rev. Dr. Joel Alvis - Interim Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS - Presbytery of Greater Atlanta
Donna Fair – Partnership/Community Engagement Freedom Communities – Charlotte, NC
Alala Linda - Lawyer, Author, Retreat Facilitator - Mars Hill, NC
Rev. Nick Cheek - Financial Advisor, Minister-at-large - Hartsville, SC - New Harmony Presbytery

Rev. Tommy Brown - Director William Black Lodge - Ex-Officio