Hinton Rural Life Center began in 1957 with a vision, a building, and four and one-half acres of land in Hayesville, a small town in the mountains of Western North Carolina. The Center came into being as the result of a gift of property from J. Walter and Velma Moore of Hayesville; a gift of money by Alice Lanier Hinton in memory of her late husband, Harold H. Hinton, of Athens, Georgia; and contributions of money, materials and labor made by people and churches interested in the development of a rural life center under the auspices of the United Methodist Church.

Present Day

Today the Hinton Center is a mission agency of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church and occupies about thirty-three acres. Facilities include the Gentry administration building, the guest lodge, two cottages, lake house, the Day Commons room, the Dysart Chapel, John C. Carter kitchen, dining area, and gift shop. The most recent facilities include an outdoor worship chapel, challenge course, Hermitage Houses, and the Joe Ervin and Nadine Johnson Retreat Houses. Hinton's facilities include 70 individual guest rooms.

Mission and Vision

The mission of Hinton Rural Life Center is

• to be an advocate for the small membership church within the United Methodist connection
• to assist small membership churches in becoming healthy and effective
• to provide opportunities for missional involvement
• and to be a place of hospitality, spiritual growth, and renewal.

We at Hinton envision a world in which small membership congregations and town and country communities are recognized, appreciated, affirmed, empowered and adequately resourced because all people, congregations and communities are of value in God's creation.