Cathedral Oaks Worship and Retreat Center 
The Elna Hayward White Memorial Chapel
The Cathedral Oaks Experience
MISSION STATEMENT The Cathedral Oaks Worship & Retreat Center, owned and operated by the Victoria District of the Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, provides an interdenominational setting for conferences, retreats, assemblies, camps, meetings and reunions for any non-profit organization or institution. The Center is also available for community groups and business/corporate groups, as schedule dates permit. Individual families of the United Methodist church are also invited to reserve the facility.
It is the goal of the Center to provide unique experiences which can help shape and expand the Christian commitment of persons of all ages, empowering them to live the truth of the Gospel in their daily lives. Out of these experiences, persons can return with a heightened awareness of Gods redeeming grace in Jesus Christ, and are able to be more responsible disciples in God’s creation and the world community. They are enabled to enter into the local church communities more fully inspired, renewed and dedicated to faithful service.
We, therefore, commit ourselves to using the unique camping and retreat opportunities available in order to communicate the Good News of God’s love by sharing the stories of our faith, and working and playing in community. Thus, we will provide an experience with God so needed in our world today.
PLANNING Plan your own event and then use the Cathedral Oaks facilities to make it the best possible experience. Cathedral Oaks is a perfect getaway from the pressures of modern living. Come ready to relax, be awed by your surroundings and gain new perspective on the world. In this setting, you can feel the presence of God while gaining rest, restoration and renewal of the spirit.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” Proverbs 127:1
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Grounds/Facilities/Food Service
Cathedral Oaks, nestled in the rolling hills and live oaks of South Texas, offers its guests tranquillity and serenity, as well as security. Set amid 101 acres, this new facility opened to the public in the spring of 1992.
MAIN HALL
The Main Hall is a combination/multi-purpose building, housing a fully-equipped kitchen (for complete kitchen details, see Food Service section). The large main room can be subdivided with an accordion door. If used classroom style, this room accommodates groups as large as 100 people. It is comfortable for 75-80 persons for retreats, workshops and meals. The Main Hall has the special feature of being equipped with a fireplace; post oak firewood is provided.
LIVING AREAS There are three modern living areas. Dorms A & B each have six rooms with both single and bunk style beds. Each of these dorms will sleep 28 people. The layout makes them ideal for males in one dorm and females in the other, should these arrangements be required. The six rooms in each dorm center around a large restroom, and all are totally handicapped accessible. Dorms A & B are connected to the Main Hall by a covered walkway. These three buildings make up the central complex. Living Area C has six single rooms that will sleep up to 4 persons each. Each room in this dorm is equipped with its own restroom. This Living Area is connected to the central complex by a sidewalk.
CHAPEL The new Elna Hayward White Memorial Chapel, completed in August 1994, provides 2800 sq. ft. of modern, air-conditioned, multi-worship space. Seating is mobile to adjust to the users needs. Chairs can be arranged in rows for the traditional worship setting or gathered together in a circular fashion to foster small group intimacy. This facility houses separate restrooms for men and women, and contains adequate space for worship preparation. The entire building is handicapped accessible.
OUTDOOR WORSHIP/STAGE An outdoor worship/stage area is available underneath a magnificent canopy of ancient oak trees; hence, the name “Cathedral Oaks!’ This area will accommodate outdoor gatherings, presentations, worship services, sing-a-longs, etc. Seating is provided through many rows of benches, with picnic tables scattered throughout. Adjacent to the outdoor worship area is a “pole barn,” which provides a covering for food servicingtables, an outdoor registration or reception area, or a covered recreation area.
OUTDOOR CAMPING AND ACTIVITIES Tent camping is also available. Campers may use the two outdoor restrooms, which are equipped with modern showers, toilets, sinks and mirrors. There is a large fire ring for camp fires and a large grill for outdoor cooking. Two ponds, stocked with largemouth bass and bluegill fish, provide sport fishing as well as a place for solitude and reflection. A developed nature trail allows hiking for exercise or for enjoyment of wildlife. In addition to horseshoes, badminton, croquet and football, the outdoor recreational pavilion, with volleyball courts and a basketball goal, provides ample recreational activities. Recreational equipment is provided and stored in the well house. Another activity is a hayride on our flatbed trailer pulled behind our tractor (on request).
A 24 x 45 swimming pool, complete with wading pool, provides a welcome relief from the Texas sun. The maximum depth of the pool is 5.5, which makes it perfect for putting up the net for water volleyball. No diving is allowed.
RV SITES There are 6 RV sites with electricity and water hookups and a central dump station. All are 75 long pull throughs and are lined with crushed limestone.
FOODSERVICE
In the Main Hall of the central complex, we offer a fully-equipped, modern kitchen. The equipment located in the kitchen is all commercial grade, easy to use, with instruction manuals provided should there be any questions. There is a large, double refrigerator, a separate deep freeze, a six-burner range with two ovens and a large griddle, a microwave oven and an ice machine. There are two stainless steel sinks and a dishwasher. All kitchen utensils, cookware, glasses, flatware and stoneware are provided. There is a supply of kitchen towels and potholders. Paper towels are provided in the kitchen; however, there are no paper napkins, paper cups, or paper plates provided. Due to our concerns for the environment, we hope you will choose to keep your use of paper/styrofoam products to a minimum. Cleaning supplies, dishwashing liquid, dishwasher powder and trash bags are all provided. Hand soap is provided at every basin; bath soap is not.
No staples or condiments are provided. There are several large drink containers which can be taken to the outdoor eating areas as needed, provided they are returned to the supply closet. A long countertop dividing the kitchen from the meeting area is an excellent buffet service area. There is a sliding door over this counter so that the kitchen area can be totally separated from the meeting area. This assures thatfood preparation will not interfere with the event being held.
Food service personnel are not employed by the Center at this time. Should your group want meals
provided, please contactthe Center Director and we will be happy to help make these arrangements.
Living Area C provides modern fully furnished accommodations.
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