Welcome to The Trees. Given to St. Philip’s Episcopal Church as a gift, this sacred home and land are open for community gathering, individual 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 and evening use, The Trees is a community resource available for individuals and organizations to build community, experience contemplation and connect to creation. The house and land are ideal for meetings, discernment work, solo and group quiet days, small worship gatherings, trail walking and family programs.
What can you imagine bringing to The Trees?
How could you, your nonprofit or faith community benefit from this space?
Our core values
Contemplation
Come spend time in a place rich for meditation, just outside busy Triangle life.
Community
The Trees offer multiple spaces for intimate and open gathering areas.
Creation Care
Connect with creation in a beautiful natural setting.
Visit
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 normal life.
Our facilities
- Ideal for meetings, discernment work, solo and group quiet days, small worship gatherings, trail walking and family programs
- Available for day and evening use (no overnight stays)
- Parking for 28 cars
- Maximum capacity: 40 people
- Outdoor gathering area in front of house: 40 people
- Gathering room: 16 people in a circle, 25 in rows
- Conference table: 8-10 people
- Quiet room: 10 people
We are waiving rental fees during 2024. Instead, we ask that you provide feedback for our discernment process as we develop our vision for The Trees. We also welcome in-kind gifts or service work.
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
- Projector and screen
- Kitchen: microwave, stove, oven, coffee pot, refrigerator, freezer
- Plastic 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
Contact us to plan your visit to The Trees
The Trees is available most Tuesdays through Sundays; Fridays are unavailable 12 – 2 p.m.
The Trees is not available Mondays, first Tuesdays, or first Fridays of each month.