The Opening of New Katherine and Thomas Belk Center

Rain did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the large gathering of friends and neighbors that joined with members of the Belk family Saturday afternoon for the dedication of Montreat Conference Center’s new Katherine and Thomas Belk Center at the Left Bank. Extensive renovations to the Left Bank building were made possible through a grant from the Katherine and Thomas M. Belk Foundation of Charlotte, N.C. The grant was a gift initiated by the Belk’s children in memory of their father, Thomas, who served as the chair of the Board of Directors of the Mountain Retreat Association, and in honor of their mother, Katherine, who attended Saturday’s dedication ceremony.


“This is a most special day for our family,” said Belk. “We are excited and humbled to have been a part of this project.” She went on to express thanks to all who had played a role in turning the Left Bank building into a state-of-the-art conferencing facility, admitting with a grin that, although she was not sure exactly what all the technology was, she knew it was a good thing.

Designed by the Rev. Dr. Robert Campbell Anderson in 1925, the Left Bank building overlooks Lake Susan and has served numerous purposes over the years, most recently as both housing and office space. But as one guest at the dedication noted, “Offices in a place like this are great for the people working there, but something this beautiful should really be for Montreat’s guests.”

Although the historic integrity of the gracious 85 year old facility with its elegant lakeside verandas was painstakingly maintained throughout the renovations, architect John Legerton was commissioned to bring the building up to exacting standards structurally, technologically, and environmentally. “As beautiful as it was on the outside,” said conference center president Pete Peery, “we literally had to gut the interior completely.” Energy efficient window replacements were installed and two spacious conference rooms were equipped with leading edge video and audio equipment as well as options for videoconferencing and teleconferencing. In addition, a ramp and lift were added to increase accessibility. “If not for these renovations,” admitted Peery, “this building likely would have soon rotted away. This gift truly does open a new door for Montreat,” he concluded. “We’re so grateful to all of you children of Kat and Tom for your gift honoring your parents.”

Montreat Conference Center is a national conference center serving the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Annually, approximately 50,000 people of all ages and from all walks of life come to Montreat for rest, renewal, and recreation. For more information about Montreat and the new Belk Center, visit www.montreat.org.