Did You Know?

John Collins, primary founder of Montreat, had a partner- Weston R. Gales. Gales was a Southern evangelist who shared Collins’ dream of a Christian Conference Center in the Appalachian Mountains and joined forces with him to bring the Mountain Retreat Association into existence in 1897. 

In the first early years a lottery system apportioned lots to people who paid $50 for a 99 year lease and some cottages appeared on the landscape.  But Collins was not an effective manager and in November 1899 he returned to New England.  John Huyler became president, C. A. Rowland became vice-president, and Weston Gales assumed the role of general manager.  He moved to Montreat for such a meager salary that he was forced to continue his evangelistic work. While the conferences in the summer were reasonably well-attended, there were few places for people to stay and all meetings were held in tents.  Huyler agreed to build a hotel and Gales began immediately to gather funds to construct a much-needed church and school building.  What we know today as the Community Center (current Post Office) became a reality in the spring of 1900, at a cost of $1870.13.  It was funded entirely by private donations.  Rowland was the largest contributor at $400. 

Beginning in the summer of 1900 this building hosted conference sessions, Sunday and Wednesday services throughout the year, and a day school for local children (most of whom lived outside Montreat) taught by Gales’ daughter Anna.  Gales died on November 20, 1902, following a brief illness, but during his short tenure Montreat gained a hotel and some additional boarding houses, somewhat improved roads, and a church and school building that has served Montreat in many capacities.

Thanks to the Presbyterian Heritage Center, especially Nancy Midgette, for this glimpse from the past. Stop by the PHC for even more Montreat history and so much more.