North Carolina Baptist Assembly, Religious retreat center in Brunswick County, US
The North Carolina Baptist Assembly is a religious retreat center at the eastern tip of Oak Island, in Brunswick County, set between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. The grounds hold a range of lodging buildings, an auditorium, and conference spaces designed to host organized groups.
The land was developed in 1836 as Fort Caswell and served the US military for over a century, through the Civil War and both World Wars. In 1945, the Baptist State Convention purchased the property and turned it into a retreat and assembly center.
Baptist congregations from across North Carolina gather here for youth camps, conferences, and weekend retreats throughout the year. During the summer, the grounds fill with groups taking part in outdoor activities and worship sessions side by side.
The center is set up for organized groups, so contacting the facility before visiting is advisable. Summer and school breaks are the busiest periods, when most camps and conferences take place.
Parts of the original 19th-century fort, including earthworks and old structures, are still visible on the grounds today. This makes the center one of the few places in the country where a former military fort has been continuously used, first by the army and then by a religious organization.
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