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Highland's Machen begins to grow
McDOWELL - The Machen Retreat and Conference Center nestled in Highland County about nine miles south of McDowell on 678, seeks to provide a haven of respite for Christian families from all over the East Coast and beyond.
MRCC was initially conceived by Paul and Jane Cunningham, as they wanted to share the beauty of this part of the country with fellow Christians. The couple provided the acreage, vision, knowhow, and initial work on this center.
Situated on 32 acres, Machen consists of a main lodge with a commercial kitchen, dining and meeting areas, bathrooms, a laundry facility, and an open pavilion area. Within 100 yards west of the main lodge there are three winterized cabins. East of the lodge four screened-in summer cabins overlook a ridge. The cabins are essentially bunkhouses, sleeping 12 persons on six sets of bunk beds. A large recreation field, with a protected fire-pit, round out the facilities. All this is without direct road frontage and, therefore, MRCC's driveway passes through two neighbors' property.
MRCC is now looking into building duplex cabins with integrated bathrooms and kitchenettes.
MRCC's official mission is 'to extend the ministry of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church by providing facilities and programs consistent with the reformed faith intended to enable covenant families and individuals in the body of Christ to rest and retreat from the normal distractions of their lives in order to nurture their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ through conferences, retreats, and family vacations.'
Machen is owned and operated by the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, a national denomination of approximately 30,000 members.
Machen organizes and hosts several conferences each year. This year there will be four family conferences, two singles retreats, a men's and a women's retreat, two worldview conferences (one for teenagers and one for young adults), and several work groups. These events feature biblical teachings, accommodations, and food, all provided for a modest fee.
The next event like this is its first-ever Maple Festival Family Conference, March 14-16. For this event MRCC will supply lodging, some meals and snacks. All are invited to join for worship on Friday and Saturday evening as well as Sunday morning. The conference schedule will leave sufficient time to enjoy the Maple Festival.
The Highland County community and all visitors are invited to attend any or all of the three times of dedicated worship. Services will begin Friday, March 14 at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 15 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 16 at 10 a.m.
Personal, church, small group and youth group retreats by Orthodox Presbyterian churches also occur here often. In addition MRCC is available for rent by professing Christians for personal and family use. However, each request has to be evaluated individually given current MRCC governance restrictions.
For more information on MRCC, or to suggest how to physically assist someone in our county, visit , call or call Dave Tack (540) 369-4323, or chairman, John Jamison at (434) 946-2913.
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