For over 100 years, Blackstone has been a cornerstone of the Virginia United Methodist Conference and an icon of our Southside Virginia communities. Proudly as historic Blackstone College for Women, and today as the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center, Blackstone has always answered the call to serve as a natural preserve and hallowed ground to discover and renew faith.
Over 20,000 individuals visit Blackstone and the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center (VUMAC) each year, drawn by the desire to connect with others on their journey and to strengthen their faith.
Whether a ministers’ convocation, Camp Rainbow for individuals with disabilities, or men and women gathering for spiritual retreat and personal renewal - lives at Blackstone are enriched and transformed. And faith is passed on - more than 2,000 youth representing numerous denominations schedule their annual retreats at Blackstone each year.
Blackstone’s historic main building provides an auditorium and meeting rooms, full kitchen and dining facilities, 126 bedrooms, kitchen/dining areas, and an indoor swimming pool and gymnasium. The President’s House, “The Gables” built in 1915 houses small groups and the Goodson Lodge, built in 1987, added 24 bedrooms. Blackstone’s dedication to “Let Every Soul Be Jesus’ Guest” remains constant, yetthe facility does not have the capacity to meet the ever-increasing demand. Nearly 4,000 people are turned away due to constraints in meeting space or sleeping accommodations. And as the Virginia Conference continues to grow (plans include the addition of 250 new faith communities within the next 30 years), the demand will be even greater. Staff provide a level of care and service not found in the secular environment of a hotel or conference center, and the cost to church use remains half or less the cost of other alternatives. Though renovations and repairs have been faithfully made, there are significant facility issues - such as the need to replace the antiquated heating and cooling systems, modernize kitchen and large group meeting needs, and upgrades to meet the needs of adults, seniors, and disabled guests. VUMAC needs to be updated and enlarged to continue to be a place of refuge, renewal and spiritual growth for youth and adults across Virginia.
In June 2007, the Virginia Annual Conference approved fundraising plans to cover expenses associated with the repair, renovation, and expansion of Blackstone facilities. In response, the VUMAC Board of Directors has initiated a comprehensive vision for campus upgrades and seeks to engage Virginia United Methodists, Blackstone College alumnae and legacy families, Southside civic and business leaders, and many other friends of Blackstone in preserving and sustaining this treasure.
