Home - Laity Lodge

Recover a Sense of the Sacred.

Retreat.
Renew.
Refocus.

Laity Lodge is a place of subtle discovery: an ecumenical retreat center in the Texas Hill Country. Since 1961, guests from all walks of life have made their way to this outpost along the Frio River, slowing down to discover—in nature, in conversations around the table, in times of quiet reflection, and in participation in the arts—the nearness and goodness of God.

LODGING

RECENTLY RENOVATED, EACH OF THESE THREE LODGING OPTIONS OFFERS NEW APPOINTMENTS AND A MONASTIC ELEGANCE—A RETREAT WITHIN THE RETREAT

LODGE ROOMS

BEAUTIFUL NEW ROOMS SITUATED CONVENIENTLY IN THE HEART OF THE CAMPUS.

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CEDAR BRAKE

FOUR NEW BUILDINGS CLUSTERED AROUND A SHARED KITCHEN AND MEETING SPACE.

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BLACK BLUFF

BUILT ONTO THE CLIFF FACE, THESE ROOMS AND BALCONIES OVERHANG THE FRIO RIVER.

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UPCOMING RETREATS

CLICK ANY RETREAT FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER.
EACH RETREAT HAS ONE LEVEL OF PRICING. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE.

SPIRITUALITY AND THE SEASONS
OF OUR LIVES

JUNE

7-10

WITH

RON ROLHEISER

STEUART PINCOMBE

THE POWER OF GOODNESS
FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

JUNE

14-17

WITH

EARL PALMER

STEUART PINCOMBE

ATTENDING TO GOD
IN AN AGE OF
DISTRACTION

JUNE JULY

28-1

WITH

JAMES K. A. SMITH

ALAN JACOBS

CLAIRE HOLLEY

CREATIVITY WEEK

JULY

9-13

WITH

CAMERON ANDERSON

CHARLES WEBB

ANNE MARTINDALE WILLIAMS

AND MULTIPLE ARTISTS

SHAPED BY STORIES

JULY

19-22

WITH

LAURA HARBERT

MATT RUSSELL

BUDDY GREENE, JEFF TAYLOR

LANECIA TINSLEY

AT-ONE-MENT
AND THE
MINISTRY OF PARTICIPATION

JULY

26-29

WITH

DAVID NIENHUIS

MARY EARLE

LOWLAND HUM

NEVER MISS A RETREAT ANNOUNCEMENT

PREVIOUS RETREATS

PHOTO GALLERIES, AUDIO, ESSAYS, POETRY, AND
OTHER EPHEMERA FROM PAST RETREATS.

VIEW PREVIOUS RETREATS

THE QUIET HOUSE

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SILENCE, STILLNESS, MEDITATION,
AND PRAYER FOR AN INDIVIDUAL OR A MARRIED COUPLE.

VIEW QUIET HOUSE AVAILABILITY

THE ARTS

AT LAITY LODGE

THE CODY CENTER

A PERFORMANCE SPACE, ART GALLERY, AND STUDIOS STOCKED FOR CREATIVE EXPLORATION.

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THE BOX CANYON

AN ONGOING SERIES OF FEATURES–FILMS, ESSAYS, AND OTHER DISPATCHES FROM LAITY LODGE.

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THRESHOLD

AN INTERACTIVE, SITE-SPECIFIC, ART INSTALLATION CREATED BY ROGER FELDMAN.

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LAITY LODGE NEEDS YOUR HELP.

What was once provided solely through the resources of one family has grown to include support from many friends … primarily people like you who have experienced the richness of a Laity Lodge retreat.

GIVE NOW

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1Why is it called Laity Lodge?

"Laity" comes from a Greek word that means "the people of God," and in common parlance is meant to designate those in a church's congregation who are not clergy.

2What does the registration fee cover?

All meals, programs, and lodging are included.

3What are the accommodations?

Laity Lodge consists of three different guest room buildings: the Lodge, Black Bluff, and Cedar Brake. Each offers something slightly unique while maintaining a consistent level of quality and price.

4May I request a particular building/room?

Our Registrar makes housing assignments based on program needs and availability. If you’ve been to a retreat before and have a preference, you can note that in the comments section of your registration.

5Do you have accommodations for special needs?

Please indicate any special needs on your registration. ADA rooms are available. The kitchen will happily try to satisfy any dietary restrictions. Just let us know.

6What time do the retreats start?

Unless otherwise indicated, retreats begin at 6:00 p.m. with a reception and conclude at noon on the last day of the retreat. Arrivals begin at 3:00 p.m.

7What is the typical retreat schedule?

This sample schedule represents the design of all Laity Lodge retreats. Every retreat is unique, however, and the official schedule for your retreat will be posted at the hostess office. Note: for 3-day retreats (Fri.-Sun.), simply substitute the Thursday schedule for Friday's.

THURSDAY

6:30 | Reception
7:00 | Dinner
8:15 | Large group session
9:30 | Refreshments

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

8:30 | Continental Breakfast
9:30 | Large group session
11:00 | Brunch
12:00 | Departure

8What activities can I expect at a retreat?

A relaxed pace allows time for developing new friendships, sharing in small groups, interacting with gifted resource people, or enjoying solitude. Afternoons afford a variety of recreational activities. Depending on one’s individual need, ample opportunities abound for canoeing, hiking, reading, study, a paddle-boat ride, kayaking, biking, a set of tennis, arts/crafts, or simply a peaceful nap in a hammock. The Laity Lodge bookstore offers countless volumes of varied literature for hours of reading pleasure.

9Will my mobile phone/computer work?

Mobile phones don’t work in the Canyon. There are no telephones, televisions, radios, or internet access in the rooms. Limited Wi-Fi is available in and around the Great Hall.

10How can I be contacted in an emergency?

Call Reception at 830-232-3640. Our staff will relay the message promptly.

11Do you offer group registration for retreats?

We do! Contact Sheila Chandler during business hours at 830-315-9240, or email her at schandler@laitylodge.org.

12Can I bring my children? Pets? Firearms? Tobacco?

We hope that your experience at Laity Lodge is one filled with mutual care and respect for friend and neighbor; that you share in a place where we honor our time together. While Laity Lodge is an adult retreat center, high-school-aged children are welcome to attend a retreat for the same registration fee as an adult. Although we welcome registered service animals if they are needed to assist you during your stay, please leave your pets at home. Please leave your firearms at home as well. If you smoke, we ask that you refrain from doing so in rooms or on room porches and balconies. We trust you will be mindful of other guests in shared, common areas.

13What is the relationship between Laity Lodge and the H-E-B grocery store?

Laity Lodge sits on a 1,900-acre ranch purchased by Howard and Mary Holdsworth Butt in 1954. Howard was the president of the grocery company, which his mother started in Kerrville in 1905. In 1961, Laity Lodge took shape under the direction of their son, Howard Butt, Jr., and now the third generation, Deborah and David Rogers.