Founded on historic ground,
built on community and unity.
The facilities at MCRC are rich in history and updated to accommodate your group's next special event.
Check Out Our Facilities...
We have a dedicated staff and board who are committed to making MCRC the best it can be.
Meet the Team...
MCRC is passionate about keeping your love ones safe and protected while they're with us.
Learn More...Nestled in small town of Merom, Indiana on the Illiana on the highest point on the Wabash River, lies Merom Camp and Retreat Center (MCRC).
MCRC was founded in 1858 as the Union Christian College (UC College). It was undertaken by the Christian Church (New Lights), one of the forerunners of the present United Church of Christ. The mission of the school was “to extend to young men & women, on equal terms, the benefits of a liberal education.” In 1859 historic College Hall was built, and in 1862 was dedicated as home to the Union Christian College, until 1924. Union Christian College would go on to be the first co-ed institution in the state of Indiana.
In 1936, Union Christian College became the Merom Institute, a rural enrichment center. In 1985, Merom Institute was bought by the Indiana Kentucky Conference of the United Church of Christ and converted into Merom Conference Center, a facility for camps, retreats, and conference. As of 2015 Merom Conference Center separated from the UCC becoming its own entity: Merom Camp and Retreat Center.
Now our facility welcomes campers of all ages and backgrounds who are ready to engage in a meaningful experience away from home. We offer an incredible variety of programs and activities, with top-of-the-line facilities and qualified staff who are committed to the enjoyment and safety of all our campers. We are more than just a summer camp, offering the perfect location for your group's next retreat or special event.
Located in Merom, Indiana is a beautiful 5 story building built in 1859 that was once home to Union Christian College and today is a camp and retreat center for people of all ages and backgrounds. Our facilities are used for a variety of events: corporate conferences, town gathering, youth and adult retreats, summer camps, weddings, reunions, receptions, athletic conditioning camps, and much more!
Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, with a rich historical past you could spend days getting lost in, this is a place you will want to visit, explore, and stay awhile.
Listed on Indiana Landmarks 10 Most Endangered, a list of historic places on the brink of extinction and too important to lose, Merom Camp and Retreat Center is a non-profit organization and always willing to accept your donations and time to help keep our mission alive!
Click the links below to learn more about each facility.
College Hall is a beautiful 5 story building built in 1865 and is the original home of Union Christian College. Today it houses a variety of meeting spaces, large group spaces, and living spaces, as well as a few special spots!
Main Floor
Our first floor is currently being renovated, combining rooms into an open meeting space perfect for team building and get-togethers. The space includes a fireplace, great for any size groups and activities!
Holt Library
Sharing the second floor with the bedrooms, Holt Library is an excellent place for business meetings and medium sized groups. Because of its proximity to the second floor bedrooms it's the perfect central meeting spot for team building weekends!
Auditorium
Our third floor is primarily home to our auditorium. With plenty of seating, this room is great for a movie night, show, or lecture!
Our stage spans from wall to wall at the front of the auditorium with the option of adding extensions and a ramp to the front. The stage is home to the Backstage Pass & Creative Spirit summer camps' show!
Historic Library
Originally used as a classroom in the old college, this room remains virtually untouched with much of the original furniture and books remaining. The room is set up as the original classroom was, so give it a visit and step back in time!
Fourth Floor Bedroom
One of the 9 bedrooms on the fourth floor featuring 4 bunk beds, one single bed, and a wash station.
4th Floor Meeting Room
One of the 9 bedrooms on the fourth floor featuring 4 bunk beds, one single bed, and a wash station.
5th Floor
The historic 5th floor is a beautiful glimpse into the architecture of the building and home to the iconic spiral staircase that's original to College Hall. If you're brave enough to climb them, they'll take you up to the cupola where you will get an immaculate view of the area!
Spiral Staircase
The gorgeous spiral staircase leading up the tower!
Cupola
After walking up the historic spiral staircase you are let out onto a panoramic deck with a view of Merom, the Wabash River, and into Illinois.
Built in the 1940s for the girls' dorms, the main portion of Holt Hall now serves as the dining hall for camps, retreats, and large events, as well as a conference and reception hall. The other you'll find our full time staff in the administration offices!
Holt Hall: Merom Institute
Holt Hall after it was renovated for the Merom Institute (est. 1940s).
Dining Hall
The main section of Holt Hall serves as the dining hall for camps, retreats, and large events as well as a conference space and reception hall.
Whalen Retreat House has two bedrooms, a meeting space in the dining area perfect for medium sized groups, a meeting space in the basement for larger groups, and a functional kitchen!
Whalen Kitchen & Dining
Functional kitchen and dining space that can be used for a meeting space or games!
Whalen Bedroom
1 of 2 bedrooms (sleeps a total of 6)
Whalen Basement
Large open meeting space
Whalen Basement Outside
Built in 1919, this beautiful building includes a stage, chapel seating, and a prayer room in the main section of the building
View from the prayer room
Chapel Stage
Chapel Stained Glass
Chapel Seating
Gym
A large historic gymnasium, attached to the back of Hatten Chapel, houses a full sized basketball court, and bleachers.
Gym Seating
Gettinger House
Bluff House
MCRC has 3 sets of duplex cabins that sleep up to 9 as well as two long cabins (with an option to divide in them in half) that can sleep up to 22.
DuPlex CAbins
Sleeping Area of DuPlex CAbin
Long Cabin
Sleeping area of Long Cabin
Our dedicated team of full-time staff members help maintain MCRC's campus and facilitate our programs and events.
We are also extremely lucky to have many members of volunteer staff!
This is the team of people who have committed their time and talents to our ministry and mission!
MCRC is passionate about keeping your love ones safe and protected while they're with us, which is why we take precautionary steps before hiring new staff or volunteers. The document below details how we manage all MCRC personnel, directors, and counselors.
Download Our Safe Camp PolicyIf our supporters donated $5/month, most of our yearly budget would be covered!
Learn more about supporting MCRC by donating or volunteering...
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