A sacred space for retreat and reflection

ABOUT THE HINTON CENTER

A sacred space for retreat, reflection, and renewal

HINTON CENTER'S MISSION

Inspired by Jesus Christ, Hinton Rural Life Center's purpose is to engage individuals,
congregations and communities in transformation through retreat ministry and missional outreach.

ABOUT US

Hinton Center is a Christian retreat and conference center where guests can come to retreat, reflect and renew. We provide day meeting spaces as well as overnight accommodations for groups up to 200. We are a mission agency of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church. We are ecumenical and welcome interfaith and non-faith based organizations who uphold and honor the values of our organization.

Many of our guests come to make a difference in this rural community by participating in mission outreach, making homes warmer, drier and safer for our neighbors in need.

We hope you’ll take time to experience for yourself the Christian hospitality at Hinton Center. You can participate in a community of giving by staying at Hinton, making a financial contribution to support our work, or by helping us spread the word about our mission and vision.

THIS IS HINTON CENTER

50 YEAR HISTORY

It began as a vision…

welcome-center-hinton 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

Celebrating our 50th anniversary in ministry in 2011, the Hinton Center today 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, two lake houses, 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, prayer and memory garden, labyrinth, Hermitage Houses, and the Joe Ervin and Nadine Johnson Retreat Houses. Hinton’s facilities include 76 individual guest rooms.