Welcome to
The Trees
Given to St. Philip’s Episcopal Church as a gift, this sacred home and land are open for community gathering, contemplation and rest.
The Trees is a 50-acre wooded property with a beautiful mid-century modern home nestled amidst the rolling hills just outside Durham, NC.
Available for day use, The Trees is a community resource for groups and organizations seeking to build community, experience contemplation, and connect to creation.
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Our core values
Contemplation
Allow this sacred place to hold and invite you into experiencing God’s presence.
Community
The Trees offer multiple spaces for intimate and open gathering areas.
Creation Care
Connect with creation in a beautiful natural setting.
The Trees Calendar
Check out the many events at The Trees open to the public!
This calendar does not include our private bookings – please contact us for our full availability.
Visit
The Trees
1701 Pleasant Green Rd, Durham, NC
Visits by appointment only.
Just 18 minutes from downtown Durham and 15 minutes from Hillsborough, The Trees is the perfect place to gather away from busy life.
Facilities
- Ideal for meetings, nature-based programming, discernment work, workshops, small worship gatherings, and trail walking
- Available for day and evening use (no overnight stays)
- Parking for 28 cars
- Capacity: 40 people
- Gathering room: 16 people comfortably in a circle, 15 on yoga mats, 25 in rows
- Conference table: 8-10 people
- Two small break-out rooms: 4-6 people each
- Covered porch: 4-6 people
- Quiet room: 10 people
- Outdoor gathering area in front of house: 40 people
- Note: If your group will be in the same room for a full day, we recommend a maximum group size less than 24 people
Facilities Details
- 1.5 miles of walking trails
- Labyrinth
- Gathering area in the woods
- 2 full bathrooms
- Parking for 20 cars near the house, with 8 more spaces farther up the driveway
- Wi-fi
- Easel stand, markers, pad with adhesive paper for posting
- Large TV monitor
- Kitchen: microwave, stove, oven, coffee pot, refrigerator, freezer
- Reusable plates, glasses, mugs, utensils
- Working fireplace
- Portable outdoor fire pit
- Gas grill
Use Guidelines
- Fires only in designated areas (indoor fireplace and fire pit in the open area in front of the house)
- Please drink the provided Durham City treated water instead of the tap well-water
- Please ask participants to bring their own water bottles, use the reusable glasses in our kitchen, or use our reusable plastic plates and cups and load them in the dishwasher – this will minimize landfill waste
- No Styrofoam: If you wish to use disposable plates, please bring compostable or recyclable paper products
- No alcohol except by permission
- No smoking anywhere on the property
- If you bring food, plates, or utensils, please take them away when you leave
- No loud amplified music or noise
Rental fees
Rental Rate: $75 – $125 per hour (minimum of 4 hours)
We have raised our rental rates in 2026 to cover the cost of staff and cleaning for events. Please choose the rate that works best for you and thank you for supporting The Trees with your rental.
If we have openings in our schedule, we have capacity to support a few individuals and organizations each quarter with a reduced rental rate. Please be in touch to request a reduced rate rental.
Contact us to plan your visit to The Trees
Please fill out the form to request a date. We’ll reply with confirmation that the date is available, work with you to find a time for an optional site visit, then proceed to a brief form to complete your booking, including payment.
Donations and Payments
Donate to The Trees
Payments to The Trees