Mount Calvary Retreat House destroyed

The Episcopal News just announced a huge loss for the local Episcopal community from the Montecito fire:

The raging Montecito wildfire has destroyed historic Mount Calvary Retreat House, staff and Santa Barbara County officials have confirmed.

The resident brothers, members of the Order of the Holy Cross, and staff are safe following evacuation, said Nancy Bullock, program director for Mount Calvary, speaking by phone from All Saints by-the-Sea Church in Montecito.

Bullock said that All Saints is currently working to determine if any parishioners have lost homes in the blaze, which has claimed more than 100 residences across 2,500 acres. Bullock's husband, Jeff, is rector of the parish.

Bishop J. Jon Bruno, who is in close telephone contact with clergy leaders in the Santa Barbara area, asks the prayers of the diocesan community for all those affected by the fire.

-- Martha Groves

Comments

[Sabrina]

I went on a women's retreat at Mt Calvary at the end of September. It was a serene, spiritual place infused with the love of God and living a simple, quiet life of praise and prayer. I am so very, very sad that it has been destroyed. It was a truly beautiful place, and filled with beautiful art and antiques that had been donated over the years. The material loss is just unbelievable sad, considering how hard the monks worked to create it. But that said, I know that God gives, and he takes away. And it is all alright. Material things can be replaced, I am thankful that no one was hurt, and I am thankful for the love of God whose wisdom and mystery is unfathomable, but will somehow make all of this alright. God bless you brothers. My prayers are with you.

[Roy D. Reynolds]

It was a beautiful house. I have childhood memories visiting my great uncle, Hobart Skofield, and having tea there (Hobart is buried in the garden next to the founder of Mt. Calvary, Fr. Tiedemann).My great grandfather, Ray Lester Skofield, built the house when he moved to the West Coast. Whenever I visited Uncle Hobart,I knew that we would dine at Pea Soup Andys, hike Rattlesnake Cannon (sold-- pretty much donated- to the city by my uncle and grandmother, Erminie Skofield Reynolds) and having tea with the brothers. It is ironic that it was destroyed by the Tea Fire. I am heart broken.