The Hermitage

At the heart of the Hermitage are the five individual sleeping shelters, or hermitages, which foster a sense of solitude, simplicity and silence. They are nestled in the forest away from the main house. Careful placement and forest barriers allow each hermitage to be in close proximity to others while maintaining a feeling of privacy and solitude.

Each individual hermitage is furnished with a single bed, a comfortable armchair, a writing desk, and is heated with a small wood stove. As the shelters have no plumbing or electricity, a water jug, candles and portable toilet are all provided. The bed has one pillow, but retreatants should bring their own pillow case and warm bedding.

The trails from the main house to the hermitages are rocky and in some cases a bit hilly. Retreatants need to bring a flashlight so they can navigate this trail at night.

The Forest House of Prayer

The Forest House of Prayer is where our retreatants prepare their meals, use the bathroom facilities, explore our small library and art space, and gather for communal prayer times.

Silence is held by all in the house and we encourage retreatants to be mindful of moving quietly. They are communally responsible for keeping the house clean and tidy for one another and for those who follow them.

The house has an inviting common room with a wood burning fireplace and small individual dining tables to facilitate solitude within the shared space.

There are two bathrooms in the house, one with a tub and shower and the other with just a shower. Retreatants can store their toiletries in a cubby hole in one of the bathrooms.

Everyone is responsible for preparing their own meals and cleaning up after themselves, and being considerate of others who are doing the same. The kitchen is fully equipped with dishes, pots, pans, cutlery and utensils, as well as some basic supplies such as cooking oil, salt, pepper, sugar, and some spices. There is a microwave oven, as well as a gas stove with two ovens. Your host will direct you to to find an empty shelf in the fridge to store your perishable items. In the kitchen pantry, there is a drawer labelled with your cabin’s name where you can store your dry goods.

Above the kitchen is the Prayer Loft, where retreatants gather at 8am and 5pm for Centering Prayer. If you choose not to participate in the gatherings, we ask you not to use the kitchen during those times as noise travels easily through the house.

Downstairs there is an art table and some art supplies. There is also a spare bedroom on the lower floor for those retreatants who have difficulties accessing the cabins.

The Forest House of Prayer is not wheelchair accessible.