Meher Spiritual Center

Coordinates: 26°47′44″N 82°11′39″E / 26.7956°N 82.1943°E / 26.7956; 82.1943
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Meher Spiritual Center
Founded1944
TypeReligious Pilgrimage
Location
Coordinates26°47′44″N 82°11′39″E / 26.7956°N 82.1943°E / 26.7956; 82.1943
Key people
Simeon B. Chapin
Websitemehercenter.org

Meher Spiritual Center is a universal spiritual retreat and religious site located in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.[1] The Center adjacent to Briarcliffe Acres was co-founded by Elizabeth Chapin Patterson and Norina Matchabelli in the early 1940s under the direction of spiritual master Meher Baba.[2][3][4]

History[edit]

Elizabeth Patterson and Norina Matchabelli originally sought land in other parts of the United States including California. But no land met all the requirements stated by Meher Baba such as equitable climate, virgin soil, ample water, soil that could be made self-sustaining to a large number of people, and the property should be given from the heart.[5] Eventually Elizabeth Patterson's father, Simeon B. Chapin, who was one of the original developers of Myrtle Beach, gave her the land as a gift.[6][7] He felt that it was not suitable for his resort plans since its lakes obstructed access to the beach.[8][9]

The Center[edit]

The Meher Spiritual Center is 500-acre (200 ha) designated wildlife sanctuary, with more than 200 species of plants, 100 species of birds and 44 species of animals.[10][8][9] The Center has two lakes, many nature trails, and a mile of Atlantic shoreline. The Center has a house built for Meher Baba which is named "Meher Abode" but usually referred to as "Baba's House." Meher Baba stayed there during his three visits to America in the 1950s. Meher Baba inaugurated the Meher Center in 1952 and also visited in 1956 and 1958.[11][12]

Gallery[edit]

  • Main Sites at the sanctuary
  • Center Entrance
    Center Entrance
  • Gateway
    Gateway
  • Lagoon Cabin front
    Lagoon Cabin front
  • Lagoon Cabin interior
    Lagoon Cabin interior
  • Walk Bridge
    Walk Bridge
  • Refectory
    Refectory
  • Saroja Library
    Saroja Library
  • Lake view
    Lake view
  • Retreat
    Retreat
  • Boat House
    Boat House

References[edit]

  1. ^ [email protected], Robert Behre (December 16, 2017). "Not far from the heart of Myrtle Beach, a hidden spiritual retreat". Post and Courier.
  2. ^ Forman, Henry James (April 24, 1932). "A Silent Seer Comes to Arouse Americans; Shri Meher Baba, Who Has Lived Seven Years Plunged In Thought, Teaches Disciples by Means of Signs" – via NYTimes.com.
  3. ^ "Meher Spiritual Center : A Brief History". Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  4. ^ "Meher Baba's mission to the west, University of Bristol" (PDF).
  5. ^ Kerkhove, Ray (February 10, 2007). "Unstructured networking in a charisma-based new religious movement: the 'Baba lovers'". Australian Religion Studies Review. 20 (2): 159.
  6. ^ Sanjinés, José (January 29, 2014). "Meher Baba's Silent Semiotic Output". Signs and Society. 2 (S1): S121–S159. doi:10.1086/674313 – via CrossRef.
  7. ^ "Exclusive: Inside the Meher Baba Spiritual Center".
  8. ^ a b Jarvis, Robin (May 3, 2018). "Retreat Hiding In Plain Sight". OnlyInYourState®.
  9. ^ a b "Inside Meher Center, North Myrtle Beach area". myrtlebeachonline.com.
  10. ^ "Natural resources, Myrtle beach" (PDF). horrycountysc.gov.
  11. ^ "A Spiritual Retreat | Grand Strand Magazine". Grand Strand Magazine - Myrtle Beach, SC.
  12. ^ "2 teens arrested for vandalizing Meher Spiritual Center".
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