Did You Know?
Charles A. Rowland (1870-1964), a wealthy businessman from Athens, Georgia, provided significant support for Montreat from its inception until his death. His interest in Montreat was sparked by Weston Gales, an evangelist, whom he had met when Gales visited Athens to conduct a two-week session of evangelical services. Gales, one of the co-founders of Montreat, approached Rowland to be an initial member of the Managing Committee. Rowland, an active member of the Presbyterian church and heavily involved in the work of the YMCA, agreed.
In 1900, Rowland provided 25% of the cost to construct the community building (current Post Office). He organized the first Mission Conference in 1901. He negotiated with John Huyler, a wealthy New Yorker who had assumed the presidency of the Mountain Retreat Association, to fund the debt incurred as Montreat struggled to build a small community. Although initially hopeful that Montreat would remain an interdenominational conference ground, he eagerly supported the Presbyterian purchase when that became the most feasible way for Montreat to continue.
Although Rowland never constructed a home in Montreat, he remained quite involved in its growth. He was particularly interested in the World Mission Conferences, attending many of them until shortly before his death. Rowland wrote a pamphlet, “Genesis of Montreat,” that is available to read in the Presbyterian Heritage Center.