CHURCHES
CRAB ORCHARD FALLS
FARMS
ORIGINAL MAST GENERAL STORE
VALLE CRUCIS CONFERENCE CENTER
Baird’s Creek Presbyterian Church
2147 North Carolina Highway 194 S | Phone: 828.297.4089
This year marks the eighth year Baird Creek Presbyterian Church will host Vintage Valle Music on the 3rd Sunday afternoon of each summer month. The dates this year are June 16, July 21, and August 18, 2019. The time for each is from 4 to 6 p.m., rain and shine as the events are held indoors. As always, there is no charge; however, each month the church features a different local giving opportunity, such as food for the Western Watauga Food Outreach and collecting classroom supplies for our two local elementary public schools.
Find them on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/BairdsCreekPresbyterianChurch/
Sunday Services
Morning Worship 9:00 am
“We have special worship services on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.”
Church of the Holy Cross and
Located one mile from downtown Valle Crucis on Highway 194 | Phone: 828.963.4609
The history of the Episcopal Church is woven through the modern history of the Valle Crucis community. The Right Reverend Levi Ives, Episcopal Bishop of North Carolina came in 1842 and gave the area its name.
Over the next several years, Bishop Ives established the Society of the Holy Cross, the first Monastic Order in the Anglican Communion since the English Reformation of the mid-sixteenth century. The Bishop Ives Cabin, last of the original buildings, now serves as the Church Library.
William West Skiles, who originally came to Valle Crucis to supervise its farming operation, joined the Monastic Order, and in 1847, was ordained Deacon. Brother Skiles kept the Episcopal flame alive from 1852, when the Monastic Order was disbanded, until his death in 1862. Brother Skiles’ inspiration led to the construction of St. John’s Church, where he is buried. St. John’s Church still stands three miles from the Church of the Holy Cross and is used by the parish for special services.
In 1895, Bishop Joseph Cheshire came to Valle Crucis to revive the Episcopal Ministry. Under his direction, several of the buildings, which are still in use, were constructed. In 1898, Bishop Junius Horner was installed as Bishop of the newly established Missionary District of Asheville. Bishop Horner began a renaissance in Valle Crucis. He started a dairy and chicken farm, saw mill and wagon factory, apple orchard, hydroelectric power plant and a school for grades one through twelve. This school closed in 1943. After World War II, the facilities housed a summer training program for seminarians and were used as a resort inn. In the 1960’s buildings adjacent to the Church of the Holy Cross became The Valle Crucis Conference Center, where groups from all denominations participate in conferences and retreats.
In 1925, during Bishop Horner’s renaissance, the present day Church of the Holy Cross was built. The congregation has grown and now serves a wide area of Watauga and Avery counties. In 1982, the Church of the Holy Cross was admitted as a full parish into the Diocese of Western North Carolina.
St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church
Located at 645 Herb Thomas Road off Mast Gap Road, Valle Crucis | 828.963.4609
This rustic chapel was built in the mid-nineteenth century by William West Skiles and his dedicated congregation; a labor of love for a small community. Perched on a hillside, the church is surrounded by the breathtaking mountain woodlands of Valle Crucis. St. John’s Church lies three miles from Holy Cross Episcopal Church, whose congregation has tended this historical venue for decades.
Services
Sunday Services are held at Holy Cross Church 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM every Sunday (except from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.)
Sunday Services (from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend) are held at 9:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church and 11:00 am at Holy Cross Episcopal Church.
Wednesday Services are held at Holy Cross Episcopal Church all year at 5:30 PM with Holy Eucharist and Healing
Mailing Address for both is PO Box 645, Valle Crucis, NC
Physical address for Holy Cross is 122 Skiles Way, Banner Elk, NC 28604
Physical Address for St. John’s is 678 Herb Thomas Road, Sugar Grove, NC 28679
website is holycrossvallecrucis.net
email is holy_cross@skybest.com
The concerts for St. John’s will be on May 26th, then the first Sunday of each month July through September. All events should begin at 5:00 pm.
Clarks Creek Baptist Church
2988 Clarks Creek Rd, Banner Elk, North Carolina
Members of the Baptist Church on Clarks Creek Road built the little frame church together in 1941. As then, today many of the members are generations of residents of Clarks Creek, Dutch Creek and other nearby locations.
Holy Communion Lutheran Church
1525 Clarks Creek Rd | Phone: 828.963.4673 | Fax: 828.963.5446
Visit them on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Communion-Lutheran-Church-111348088910507/
The construction date of the first Lutheran church in Valle Crucis is unknown, as some speculate the first Lutheran settlers arrived in the 1700s, although there are no written records to affirm this. The first church, a log cabin, was named Friedens Kirche, German for Tranquility Church. In 1939 the original church was replaced with a new stone building, changing names to Friendship Church and later to the present day Holy Communion Church.
Sunday Services
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
9:00 a.m. – Unity Breakfast
10:00 a.m. – Worship Service
We welcome ALL people to join us each Sunday for our uplifting services!
L.E.F.A. Community Meal
Holy Communion’s “Lifting Each, Feeding All” – Community Meal
Thursdays from 5:30 p.m until 6:30 p.m.
Come, enjoy the fellowship and help out this great ministry!
Valle Crucis United Methodist Church
2495 Broadstone Road | Phone: 828.963.6085
Find them on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/ValleCrucisUnitedMethodistChurch/
The first church used by Methodists in the valley was a log schoolhouse, although sometimes services would be conducted in the homes of prominent families. In 1870 the congregation built a church at the present location, with significant additions and improvements throughout the following century.
Service Times
Sunday Service begins at 9 a.m.
Sunday School begins at 10 a.m.
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CRAB ORCHARD FALLS
Crab Orchard Falls is a short but steep hike from the Valle Crucis Conference Center.
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FARMS
Apple Hill Farm
400 Apple Hill Road, Banner Elk, NC 28604 | 828.963.1662 | info@applehillfarmnc.com
Apple Hill Farm – A place where animals talk and people listen.
Apple Hill Farm is an Alpaca Farm that sits atop Valle Mountain on the site of a 45-year-old apple orchard. The remaining apple trees serve as the focal point for the property which is now home to alpacas, cats, chickens, dogs, donkeys, goats, horses, llamas and miniature donkeys.
The animals have their own unique ways of welcoming visitors to Apple Hill. Jack and Maw, their full sized donkeys, bray loudly and then snort to herald arrivals. Hannah, their quarter horse mare, bops her lips together to beg for carrots and treats, and July Moon, their friendliest alpaca, will lay at your feet so you can feel her fiber.
Magnificent mountain views, wooded footpaths, and landscaped gardens are the visual backdrop for the barns and animals, providing the ultimate picturesque setting for Apple Hill Farm’s animals and visitors.
Apple Hill Farm started in 2002 with 2 pregnant female alpacas and one young female alpaca. In 2008, we are now home to 22 alpacas. In addition to alpacas, we have added horses (some of ours, and some who board), llamas, goats, donkeys, chickens, dogs and cats. We strongly believe that animals need a purpose, so every animal on the farm has a stated job or position. Our animals are treated with great care, respect and love.
Our passion is empowering people to develop a new and deeper connection with animals. These are some of the ways we convey that passion:
- farm tours and North Carolina School Farm Tours
- Alpaca breeding and Alpacas For Sale
- breeding miniature donkeys
- Boer goat breeding and NC Boer Goats for sale
- Alpacas NC shearing clinics
- Alpacas NC care clinics
- animal communication and Reiki workshops
- aromatherapy classes
- intensive healing care for horses
- gentling of mistreated animals
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Apple Hill Farm at 828.963.1662, info@applehillfarmnc.com or click button below to visit their website.
Visit Apple Hill Farm
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ORIGINAL MAST GENERAL STORE
Charles Kuralt proclaimed the Original Mast Store was “a destination” in his most recent book Charles Kuralt’s America. Since 1883, the Original Mast Store has been the gathering place for the community. Stop in early in the morning for a cup of 5¢ coffee, to pick up your mail, and to get the morning news.
[pull]”All general store are satisfying to visit, but one of them, The Mast Store, is a destination.” – Charles Kuralt[/pull]
The Mast General Store opened in 1883 and quickly grew in reputation for carrying everything from “cradles to caskets.” Even today, you’ll still find shelves packed with all you might need for life in the 19th century and most of this one. Entering this landmark, you’ll notice advertising posters untouched since Mr. Mast hung them decades ago, stand at a counter where locals once bartered their goods or mail a letter at the community’s corner post office. Your might even discover a few old-timey bargains along the way.
The Original Mast Store location features mercantile items that you may remember from your grandma’s house like jams and jellies, real maple syrup, stoneground cornmeal, comfortable rocking chairs, sturdy hiking boots, comfortable casual shoes, and Chacos. Located along the Mission Crossing Scenic Byway, this mountain tradition will greet you with the warmth of its potbellied stove and its people.
[button url=”http://www.mastgeneralstore.com/”] Visit Mast General Store[/button]
[button link=”http://www.mastgeneralstore.com/” color=”#301818″ size=”3″ style=”1″ dark=”0″ radius=”5″ target=”blank”]Visit Mast General Store[/button]
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The Annex – Circa 1909
Mast Annex which is built of wormy chestnut, a hardwood no longer available after the chestnut blight in the 1930s, and completed in 1909, the Annex was originally a competing general store. Now, the Annex blends casual clothing with a mountain outfitters shop, and the original Candy Barrel. The old rolling ladder presently helps reach items on the top shelves, and you can still see the evidence of a foiled attempt to “shop after hours” in a tight pattern of birdshot over the front door. Ask about the Valle Crucis Post Office, which used to be located here.
Hundreds of Old-Fashioned Candy Favorites
Chocolate Covered Peanuts & Raisins • Horehound • Rootbeer Barrels • Chocolate & Caramel Bullseyes • Candy Buttons • Candy Necklaces • Chick-O-Sticks • Maple Nut Goodies • Sanded Drops • Fireballs • Jordan Almonds • Orange Slices • Cow Tales • Toblerone • Giant Jaw Breakers • Boston Baked Beans • Pecan Divinity • Charleston Chews • Smarties • Bit-O-Honey • Peanut Brittle • Wax Bottles • Gummi Bears • Wax Lips & Fangs • Chocolate Non-Pareils • Peanut Butter Bars • 1lb. Mega Jawbreakers • Circus Peanuts • Licorice Crows • Salt Water Taffy & More!
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VALLE CRUCIS CONFERENCE CENTER
Highway 194 | PO Box 654 | Valle Crucis, NC 28691 | 828.963.4453
The Center welcomes a diverse range of groups from throughout the Southeast including church family weekends, youth groups, choir retreats, Christian education programs, family reunions, non-profit organizations, government agencies, college and school retreats, environmental organizations, ski groups and many other special interest groups.
Situated on 450 acres of mountain and valley land, the Center has been serving the needs of this community since 1842 when Bishop Silliman Ives first came here and named this place Valle Crucis. All of the buildings are on the National Historic Register and the Center offers hiking trails, waterfalls, outdoor labyrinths and more.
Visit Valle Crucis Conference Center
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VALLE CRUCIS PARK
The Valle Crucis Community Park contains 23 acres of natural beauty with park amenities including a children’s playground, soccer fields, picnic shelters, and a one-mile paved loop trail for walking, roller blading, or running. It is also a great place for birdwatching in the early morning.
The Park hosts several events each year including the Watauga River Fest in August and Music in the Valle beginning in mid June and running through early September. It is supported by donations from those in the community and from the groups and individuals that find it a beautiful site to enjoy.
An early morning birdwatching walk is available at the Park on Wednesday mornings from March through October. Please call 828-265-0198 for more information.
If you would like more information on the Valle Crucis Park, you can visit their website at ValleCrucisPark.org or call the Park Office at 828-963-9239.
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