About Us
The Valle Crucis Conference Center is a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina, part of the Episcopal Church.
Located on over 450 acres of mountain woodland and verdant farming valley, the Valle Crucis Conference Center is truly one of the more beautiful places on Earth. With its beauty comes a sense of timeless spiritual grace that transcends denomination or faith tradition.
The Valle Crucis Conference Center is located in the historic Mission School, featuring buildings dating from the late 19th Century and early 20th Century, nearly all of which are on the National Historic Register.
The Conference Center is open year-round to accommodate groups of 5 to 150. Rates include three hearty, nutritious meals a day and arguably the best towels in Western North Carolina lodgings.
Mission & Purpose |
The Story of Valle Crucis |
Board of Directors |
Leadership Team |
Hours & Location |
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Mission and Purpose
Mission: To enable rest, renewal, and transformation through care for natural beauty and a true commitment to hospitality.
Core values:
We embody Christ in the world through a ministry of hospitality by:
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- Preparing a safe, comfortable, beautiful space
- Honoring the seeker, refreshing the weary, and nourishing the hungry
- Being careful stewards of the Thin Place that is Valle Crucis
2024 Board of Directors
Jane Blackburn
Vice President
Brenda Lowman
Treasurer
Lisa Cooper
Secretary
Michelle Leonard
Patricia Dilley
Amanda Hege
Ray Lutz
The Rev. Samuel Tallman
The Rev. Ron Taylor
Sally Warburton
Ex Officio
The Rt. Rev. José A. McLoughlin
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Western NC
The Rev. R. Allan McCaslin
Rector, Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Valle Crucis
Margaret L. Love
Executive Director, Valle Crucis Conference Center
Margaret Love
Executive Director
director@vcconferences.org
Margaret is a native of Columbia, South Carolina and holds a BA in History from Davidson College. She has worked in conference planning, education and training, and grants management for nearly 20 years, and has extensive experience in working with boards of directors, fiscal management, human resources, and professional education and training. She has been fortunate to have lived in Anchorage, Alaska; North Yorkshire, England; and most recently, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. Margaret and her husband share a household with two young children and a rotating cast of dogs, cats, fish, and frogs. She can answer questions about new and existing reservations, marketing, programming, newsletters, social media, history, or general information.
Wendell Seaver
Business Manager
business@vcconferences.org
Wendell has been with the Valle Crucis Conference Center for nearly 28 years. A native of Kingsport, Tennessee, Wendell came to the Conference Center from the former Patterson School in Lenoir. His Schnauzer, Sebastian, keeps everyone in line. Wendell can help you with new and existing reservations, bookkeeping questions, or general information.
Dale Townsend
Property Manager
property@vcconferences.org
Dale has been with the Valle Crucis Conference Center since he was a wee pup. His expertise and skill keep everything running smoothly. Plus, he knows where all the bodies and pipes are buried. Questions regarding maintenance and repairs are best directed to him.
Deana Coleman
Guest Services Manager
guestservices@vcconferences.org
Deana started working at the Conference Center before she could see over the counter in the kitchen. She has moved up the ranks of housekeeping to head the department and has expanded the role to include retail management, guest comfort such as set up and clean up of meeting spaces, Lost & Found, and program assistance. She has the highest standards of cleanliness of anyone we've met.
Amanda Crump
Food Service Manager
dining@vcconferences.org
Amanda has served up yummy meals for years. With a culinary degree from Caldwell Community College + Technical Institure, baking is her speciality. Contact her to talk specifics about menu planning.
Hours & Location
- OFFICE HOURS:
- Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- On call and by appointment on weekends
- We strive to have a representative available most of the time, but given our small number of office employees, there may be times when the office is un-staffed.
The Valle Crucis Conference Center is located just off Highway 194, halfway between Boone and Banner Elk. The Conference Center is approximately two hours from both the Tri-Cities Regional Airport in Johnson City, TN, and the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in Charlotte.
Our street address is 146 Skiles Way, Banner Elk, NC 28604.
Our GPS coordinates are Latitude: 36.197556 | Longitude: -81.78906
♦ From Boone, head southwest on Highway 105 toward Banner Elk.
♦ Turn RIGHT onto Broadstone Road.
♦ Go approximately 2.9 miles and turn LEFT onto Highway 194 South.
♦ Go 1.1 miles. Round the top of the hill at the cemetery, and turn RIGHT into the Holy Cross Church parking lot.
♦ The Inn is the large building just past the church. The office is located in the corner facing the church.
Our mailing address is PO Box 654, Valle Crucis, NC 28691.