About Us

Welcome!

The pace of our current culture illustrates the need for outdoor ministry and the service of hospitality like never before. Pilgrim Heights Retreat Center addresses these needs, reaffirming our faith in Jesus Christ by modeling those aspects God calls us to embrace and explore during quiet retreat and in playful fellowship with others.

A wilderness resource and gathering place for the entire Iowa Conference community, day-use visitors are invited to enjoy the 126 acre facility, including an 80 acre recreational lake, challenge course, and woodland trails. Rental of meeting spaces and overnight accommodations are also available.

Remember, no matter who or where you are on life’s journey, you are invited and welcome to Pilgrim Heights Retreat Center. We hope you visit us soon.

Mission Statement

Affirming God's call to stewardship of all creation, it is our mission to expand outdoor ministries, educational activities, spiritual renewal, and community building services by providing a peaceful, sacred space in which groups and individuals of all ages are offered opportunities to experience the presence of God, to discover personal wholeness, and to participate in faith communities.

Statement of Ministry

Outdoor ministries provide living experiences in a place that is special to persons and apart from daily routines and responsibilities. The purpose of these ministries is to:

Come together to form faith communities.
Be aware of the living presence of God in our midst.
Adopt a more leisurely pace and reflective stance in the outdoors.
Stand in direct relationship to our natural environment, developing awareness and an appreciation of, and a responsibility for God’s wonderful gift of creation.
Participate in various programs including worship, recreation, work, service, creativity, study and rest.
Identify and accomplish specific goals for our own living and learning.

Our History

Pilgrim Heights Retreat Center is owned by the Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ; and as of January 1, 2008, operations were transitioned to Our Sacred Space, Inc.

Our Sacred Space, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization, with a strong covenantal affiliation to the Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ; and was borne of the need to successfully build and manage the camp and retreat programming facilitated through Pilgrim Heights Camp & Retreat Center in Montour, IA since 1955 and earlier through Blake’s Grove Camp in Ackley, Iowa.

Transition Agreement

Below and in the box to the Right are links to the Final Transition Agreement between the Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ and Our Sacred Space, Inc.

Location

Pilgrim Heights Retreat Center is located in the heart of Iowa, off Highway 30, 22 miles east of Marshalltown, 9 miles west of Toledo. Turn north, onto E Avenue 1.5 miles west of the casino. Pilgrim Heights Retreat Center is at the end of the gravel road.

Leadership

We pride ourselves in the quality and diversity of leadership in our programs. From our college age summer staff to volunteer program leaders and chaplains, your child is sure to connect with one of many positive role models. All our leaders are highly trained in the care and well being of our campers, quality programming and building meaningful relationships with campers. All volunteers and staff are carefully screened to ensure the best experience for your children.

See our current Staff Directory.