Labels

Mt Calvary Retreat Center Destroyed


One of my favorite spots in Santa Barbara was Mt. Calvary Retreat Center. It was, until last night, an Episcopal monastery sitting on a point high above the city. You could see up and down the coastline. I loved to take visitors up there because it had one of the best views around. It was also a wonderful place to spend a retreat day -- to enjoy a wonderful library, bookstore, gardens and more. I enjoyed sharing in the noon Eucharist and then lunch. I remember receiving spiritual direction from Brother Robert. It was a special place to me these past ten years.

It apparently has been caught in the Tea Fire. Hearing this, something I feared might happen knowing its location, deeply saddens me, for it was both a hidden treasure and a spiritual blessing.
Email Post
Labels:

Comments

advaid said…
When I saw the picure of the burnt front mural I thought, "It can't be!" I cried when I read the news. I visited only once or twice a year, but in a sense Mount Calvary was my spiritual home, a place to re-find my center and remember my purpose. And the Brothers are my dear friends. What Now? Ariane
11:14 AM
Anonymous said…
Thank you, Bob, for your reflection. I will miss this special place, and am glad its hospitality and ministry reached so many. TBTG the brothers are safe.
1:45 PM
Cassandra Wallstrum said…
heaven on earth...........having spent time there...
my mother is a sister of the holy nativity... and gave me this retreat to experince as a young child.....

is there anything we can do to help rebuild????
11:18 AM
Robert Cornwall said…
On Mt Calvary's future -- I expect that the website will offer guidance as to what they plan to do. That which was can't be replaced, but the setting is so wonderful, I hope that something can be rebuilt there.
2:33 PM
Anonymous said…
It was a beautiful house. I have childhood memories visiting my great uncle, Hobart Skofield, and having tea there (Hobart is buried in the garden next to Fr.Tiedemann ).My great grandfather, Ray Lester Skofield, built the house when he moved to the West Coast. Whenever I visited Uncle Hobart,I knew that we would dine at Pea Soup Andys, hike Rattlesnake Cannon (sold-more or less donated-to the city by my uncle and grandmother, Erminie Skofield Reynolds}, and have tea with the brothers.

I visited in 1994 with my eighteen month old daughter and her mother. My daughter started running, skipping and laughing through the hall. I was slightly embarrassed. The brother simply said, with a broad smile, "don't worry, she's home."

Ironic, it was destroyed by the Tea Fire. I am heart broken.
5:17 PM
Sue Spencer said…
This is heartbreaking news. I discovered Mt. Calvary in 1993 when I was pastoring a congregation in L.A. The first time I walked in the front door, I had such a strong sense of being centered and grounded. Mt. Calvary became my "spiritual home away from home" during the time that I served in L.A., and I still consider the Brothers my friends. I'm so glad that they are all safe, and receiving hospitality from St. Mary's down the hill.
2:25 PM
Post a Comment

Popular Posts