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