Meher Spiritual Center is a

universal Universal is the adjective for universe. Universal may also refer to: Companies * NBCUniversal, a media and entertainment company that is a subsidiary of Comcast ** Universal Animation Studios, an American Animation studio, and a subsidiary of N ...

spiritual retreat The meaning of a spiritual retreat can be different for different religious communities. Spiritual retreats are an integral part of many Buddhist, Christian and Sufi communities. There are many different types of spiritual retreats such as welln ...

and religious site located in

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina North Myrtle Beach is a city in Horry County, South Carolina, United States. It was created in 1968 from four existing municipalities, and is located about northeast of Myrtle Beach. It serves as one of the primary tourist destinations along ...

. The Center adjacent to

Briarcliffe Acres Briarcliffe Acres is a town in Horry County, South Carolina, United States, located between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach. The population was 457 at the 2010 census. Geography Briarcliffe Acres is located in southeastern Horry County at ...

was co-founded by Elizabeth Chapin Patterson and

Norina Matchabelli Princess Norina Matchabelli (born Eleanora Erna Cecilia Gilli; 3 March 1881 – 15 June 1957) was co-founder of the perfume company Prince Matchabelli, a stage and screen actress, publisher, and a disciple of Indian spiritual teacher Meher Baba ...

in the early 1940s under the direction of spiritual master

Meher Baba Meher Baba (born Merwan Sheriar Irani; 25 February 1894 – 31 January 1969) was an Indian spirituality, spiritual master who said he was the Avatar, or God in human form, of the age. A spiritual figure of the 20th century, he had a following o ...

History

Elizabeth Patterson and Norina Matchabelli originally sought land in other parts of the United States including California. But no land met all the requirements stated by Meher Baba such as equitable climate, virgin soil, ample water, soil that could be made self-sustaining to a large number of people, and the property should be given from the heart. Eventually Elizabeth Patterson's father, Simeon B. Chapin, who was one of the original developers of Myrtle Beach, gave her the land as a gift. He felt that it was not suitable for his resort plans since its lakes obstructed access to the beach.

The Center

The Meher Spiritual Center is designated

wildlife sanctuary A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, funga, or features of geolog ...

, with more than 200 species of plants, 100 species of birds and 44 species of animals. The Center has two lakes, many nature trails, and a mile of Atlantic shoreline. The Center has a house built for Meher Baba which is named "Meher Abode" but usually referred to as "Baba's House." Meher Baba stayed there during his three visits to America in the 1950s. Meher Baba inaugurated the Meher Center in 1952 and also visited in 1956 and 1958.

Gallery

File:Main_Entrance,_Meher_Spiritual_Center.jpg, Center Entrance File:Gateway,_Meher_Spiritual_Center.jpg, Gateway File:Lagoon_Cabin,_front_entrance,_Meher_Spiritual_Center.jpg, Lagoon Cabin front File:Lagoon_Cabin,_interior,_Meher_Spiritual_Center.jpg, Lagoon Cabin interior File:Meher center 6.jpg, Walk Bridge File:The_Refectory,_Meher_Spiritual_Center.jpg, Refectory File:Saroja_Library,_Meher_Spiritual_Center.jpg, Saroja Library File:MSC Lake View.jpg, Lake view File:The_Refectory,_porch_view,_Meher_Spiritual_Center.jpg, Retreat File:Boat_House,_Meher_Spiritual_Center.jpg, Boat House

References

{{Meher Baba, state=collapsed Meher Baba Spiritual retreats Religious buildings and structures in South Carolina Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Protected areas Regional parks Types of formally designated forests Wildlife sanctuaries 1944 establishments in the United States Buildings and structures in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Holy cities Ashrams Religious places Universalism