Montreat Minute for July 24, 2026
Tree Board Working with Chestnut Foundation
The Montreat Tree Board is now working with the American Chestnut Foundation and bringing back chestnut trees to Montreat. Multiple plantings are planned in the very near future in the Town along with educational programming about the chestnut trees for the benefit of our residents.
Montreat was once the location of one of the largest chestnut forests in America! Stay tuned for more on this important subject.
Anne Chesky Closes Out Adult Summer Club Summer Speaker Series July 29th
Join other Montreaters and friends to hear Anne Chesky, Presbyterian Heritage Center Executive Director, speak on the Gospel in Appalachian wood carvings. The PHC is fortunate to have a robust collection of fascinating wood carvings by Presbyterian pastor Rev. Dr. John Mack Walker.
Dr. Walker had a passion for Gospel stories, so much so that he began carving statues representing 64 different stories. His carvings reflect both their “matter-of-factness and mystery.” He based many of the figures on real people he knew and carved them in 20th-century attire. The PHC is honored to have 29 of the 64 carvings in its collection. Anne will share the story about Dr. Walker’s unique ministry and display some of the carvings.
Refreshments in Gaither Fellowship Hall will follow Anne’s presentation.
Please note the location for this year’s speakers: Graham Chapel in Gaither Hall.
Second Mahjong Fundraiser this Sunday, July 26th
The Montreat Town Hall grounds are still not fully recovered from Hurricane Helene. A group of dedicated Montreaters is working to remedy the situation and make it look as beautiful as it was when it opened on July 4, 2020. “Tiles for Town Hall” is a fundraiser to do just that.
The first Mahjong fundraiser for the Montreat Town Hall grounds was a success with fun, fellowship, and learning—so much so that a second night has been scheduled for this Sunday, July 26th. The second night is a game night for more experienced players. with added games, prizes, and a bigger raffle. The second event will also be held at Que Sera restaurant, 101 Black Mountain Avenue. There is still room for teams and tables. The night promises fun games, great prizes, and delicious bites– all for a good cause.
Doors open at 5:00 pm, with social time and food at 5:30. Play begins at 6:15 and the night caps off with a raffle at 8:00. Cost is $50. Players should bring their own sets and cards. Text or call Lisa at (803) 322-4521 to reserve a spot.
Did You Know?
Ed. Note: Montreat has had its share of fires in the past, some very monumental. Today’s “Did You Know?” offers a story behind one of those fires. Stay tuned for others in the future. And, PLEASE be FIreWise!
Early Montreat buildings were constructed almost entirely of wood. Many of them were erected quickly to meet an immediate need. Hence it is no surprise that fire often damaged and sometimes completely destroyed these structures.
One particularly devastating fire occurred in January, 1924 when Hotel Montreat burned. Since it provided housing for the students of Montreat Normal School (none of whom were injured in the blaze), the most imperative concern was rehousing them. They moved into three other buildings that had heating facilities, including two at Camp Montreat for Girls. Dr. Robert C. Anderson, president of the Mountain Retreat Association, then turned his attention to replacing the hotel. In his annual report, he noted that “the building was old [constructed hastily in 1900], very inferior on the inside and not well equipped.” The insurance claim totaled $15,000, an amount that he knew would only be seed money for the new facility he had in mind.
He immediately set out to raise the necessary funds, which he estimated would be $300,000 for building and furnishings. In his pleas to the General Assembly, presbyteries, churches, and individuals, he noted that while the Hotel Montreat had been “altogether inadequate,” the shortage of accommodations was now “painful and distressing.” He pointed out that while individual churches spend thousands of dollars annually on their physical plants, “the Assembly is doing practically nothing to house the thousands who desire to attend her conferences.” To drive his point home, he claimed that “Thousands for the lack of suitable accommodations in Montreat are attending worldly resorts and the loss to the Church in spirituality and the consecration of wealth is beyond estimation.”
Montreat’s Board of Directors requested that the Stewardship Committee of the General Assembly authorize a special campaign for $200,000 to meet the conference center’s immediate needs. On July 6, 1924, the committee passed a resolution urging
churches and individuals to donate to this fund, but it did not authorize the use of any funds on hand. Rather, the General Assembly authorized Dr. Anderson to raise the funds. Since he chose not to incur debt, construction was slow. In his annual report of 1926, he noted that contributions to date totaled $777.29 from churches, $1500 from the Woman’s Auxiliary, and $55,857.68 from individuals. The 1927 Annual Report contained a picture of the partially completed Inn and a statement that $144,000 was still needed. In 1928 Dr. Anderson indicated that the interior, still incomplete, could be finished with $50,000. Eager to open the Inn, he borrowed that amount of money. The General Assembly agreed to assume this debt if he would raise $25,000 to support the construction of a building on the Montreat College campus. He secured such a donation from his wife, Sadie Gaither Anderson; thus Assembly Inn was completed and Gaither Hall was begun.
Updates and Reminders
· We welcome Hunter White as the newest Montreat Town staff member. Hunter is working full time in the Sanitation Department, as Drew Brown has moved over to Public Works- Streets Department. Welcome Hunter when you see him.
· Do you receive your own copy of the Montreat Minute or know someone who doesn’t? Sign up for the Sunshine List to receive the Montreat Minute and stay “in the know” about the Town’s happenings. CLICK HERE to sign up for the list!
· Do you receive Montreat Code Red alerts, an emergency communications system used a number of times during the hurricane and wildfires? To learn more about Code Red or to be added to the list, CLICK HERE.
Questions or Comments?
Do you have Town-related questions or comments to offer? If so, please send them to Angela Murphy at info@townofmontreat.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Have a great weekend!
