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A little background: The Christian Renewal Center (CRC) is operated by the CRC Retreat Partners, Inc, a 501(c)3, non-profit corporation, and is located in Dickinson, Texas. Purposely “set apart” in a quiet, wooded setting away from the busy city life, the CRC offers a place where the Holy Spirit can be encountered and a deeply renewing experience can take place. From its inception in the mid-1960s, more than 100,000 people, have come to strengthen and renew their faith through its many retreats, spiritual gatherings, and religious meetings. The CRC was founded in 1966 by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. In 2008, leadership and management of the CRC were assumed by the laity through CRC Retreat Partners, Inc. In 2013 the Scanlan Foundation purchased the property from the Oblates and gifted to the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese owns the property and leases the CRC to the non-profit that manages and runs the retreat center. All financial responsibilities are CRC Retreat Partners, Inc, and no funds are received by the Archdiocese for building maintenance and renovations.
History: The inspiration for an Oblate retreat house in the diocese of Galveston-Houston and to Dickinson, in particular, was Fr. John Hakey, OMI. He had heard that a Dickinson family had given 31 acres of property to the diocese to be used for religious purposes. Upon the Oblates approaching then-Bishop John Morkovsky, the diocese deeded the 31 acres to the Oblates for $10.00 on July 14, 1966, with the agreement that a retreat center would be built. Prior to that, the property had been used by the caretaker to land his airplane on the north field. The Christian Renewal Center was opened in 1968 as the Christian Holiday House by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI).
The original structures built by the Oblates from 1966 to 1967 included a staff residence, chapel, dining hall, and 32 guest rooms. The overall design had the theme and architecture of Space – the Space Center being so close – particularly the chapel, which was to give the sense of a space capsule with its skylights and semi-circular design. The first retreats were hosted in 1968.
Additional land purchases in 1973 (bayou waterfront) and 1975 (west side by man-made bayou) secured the privacy and seclusion as a retreat center. The pool was added in 1976. Both Eugene Hall and the Meditation Chapel, funded by the Cameron Foundation, were blessed on May 1, 1981. The main road was paved for the first time in 1981 and dedicated in honor of Fr. John Hakey, who had worked on the original shell road with a shovel and pick so many times. In his presence it was blessed and dubbed Hakey Lane. In 1998, Hakey Lane was resurfaced in concrete as it stands now; and remains a private street.
The south wing (another 32 rooms) and Marian Hall were constructed in 1985. The lodges were begun in 1987. In July 1988 the name of the retreat center was changed to “Christian Renewal Center”.
In 2001, the Oblates added Oblate Hall, the Pavilion, and the maintenance building.
In 2006, in a re-concentration of their national efforts and mission, the OMI had decided to close the CRC. Word of this closing reached the ears of seven lay people involved with the growing ACTS retreat movement in the Houston/Galveston area; realizing the effect of such closing on the Christian retreat community in this area, sought an audience with members of the OMI to see what they could do to help keep the retreat center open. The ensuing dialog brought the two parties together into a lease/purchase agreement between the non-profit, CRC Partners, Inc. and the OMI’s Provincial office in Washington D.C beginning March 1, 2008. The purpose of this lease and transfer of operational and management control of the CRC was to give the CRC Partners a period of time to see if it was possible for a lay organization to revitalize ( “Save”) the CRC and show enough growth to be financially successful for the long term future. With continuing support from the OMI, in prayer and financial partnership, the CRC Partners have demonstrated that the CRC can indeed be saved.
In November 2012, the Scanlan Foundation began a conversation with the CRC Partners regarding buying the entire property from the Oblates. That was accomplished in May 2013 when the property was purchased by Scanlan and immediately gifted to the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese and the CRC Partners immediately entered into the current 10-year lease operations agreement. In 2015, the CRC Partners Inc changed its name to CRC Retreat Partners Inc to differentiate itself from another group of a similar name.
(December 28, 2015).
In 2018, with the hiring of Kim Brown as the new Director, the CRC changed its mission statement, "To draw people into a relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church." as well as began massive renovations throughout the property. At the same time as the physical transformations, a spiritual renewal began as well through spiritual and theological retreats and conferences. In 2019, the former Director's residence was restructured to serve as two separate buildings: the Offices and the Ali Center. In 2020 the room renovations began, which included making two rooms wheelchair accessible. In 2021, Cardinal DiNardo gave permission for the CRC to have the Blessed Sacrament 24/7 onsite. In August 2021, the CRC Missionary program was begun. In 2022, the Marian Hall renovation was completed. In 2022, the remaining tract of land held by Scanlan Foundation was included in the plot of land for the retreat center. On June 25, 2023, following a 15-month fundraising and renovation the Chapel was dedicated by Bishop Italo. During this time each renovation includes what is necessary (roof, siding, AC, foundation, wheelchiar accessible) as well as intentionally teaching the Faith through the design, called Theology in Stone.