Our History

Beginnings: A Vision for Community

Hinton Rural Life Center began in the late 1950’s with a vision, a building, and 4.5 acres of land in Hayesville, a small town in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Community members, with the leadership of Rev. H. Claude Young, Jr., of First Methodist Church, had determined a need for a large gathering space for the region. Velma and J. Walter Moore of Hayesville, who were members of First Methodist, got an idea they wanted to share and pray about with Rev. Young. They wanted to buy four acres of property and an unfinished lodge building from Alice Lanier Hinton, whose husband had passed away during its construction, and deed the property and lodge to First Methodist for community ministry. “It was such a good idea, we hardly needed to pray about it,” joked Rev. Young as he recalled his meeting with the Moores. The purchase was made and the property and unfinished lodge deeded to the church. Mrs. Hinton provided funds for the lodge to be completed and named in memory of her late husband, Harold H. Hinton, of Athens, Georgia. There were additional contributions of money, materials, and labor made by people and churches interested in the development of a rural life center in this area. Over the years, as visitors increased and the Center’s work in the community grew, particularly with participation and support from Methodist clergy, church members, and conferences, the decision was made to incorporate it in 1961 as Hinton Rural Life Center, an agency of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of The Methodist Church.

Present Day

Celebrating our 60th anniversary in 2021, Hinton Rural Life Center now has thirty wooded acres, with access to Lake Chatuge. Facilities include the Hinton Lodge, with Welcome Center, meeting and dining rooms, lodging, Hospitality Room, and Market & Gift Shop; three cottages for families and groups; Joe Ervin and Nadine Johnson retreat houses for large groups; four Hermitage cabins for individuals and couples; Gentry Building, with two guest apartments and Hinton’s administrative offices; Young Commons building, for meetings and events; the Dysart Chapel; Lakeside Pavilion & Worship Center; dock for swimming, boating, and fishing; Joe Ervin Sanctuary Trails & Gardens, including a labyrinth, infinity path, and memory garden; Educational Tool Barn; and firewood lot.

Hinton continues to offer exceptional hospitality to support the rest and renewal of guests and, at the same time, provide leadership and impactful work to address the needs and challenges of rural communities through hands-on service, education and training, and local and regional collaborations.

News & Updates

Click on the graphic for our most recent quarterly newsletter.