St. Mary’s Sewanee: The Ayres Center for Spiritual Development exists as a place where all are invited to respond to the invitation by God to “withdraw to a quiet place to pray” (Luke 5:16). Through quiet and simplicity, warm welcome and spiritual companionship, St. Mary’s Sewanee seeks to nurture the innate human capacity for relationship with God. Resting on 230 acres atop the Cumberland Plateau, St. Mary’s Sewanee provides a sacred space to groups and individuals for a wide variety of opportunities for spiritual growth. Individuals may come to one of our retreats or workshops or for a period of personal retreat. Faith communities and not-for-profit organizations may bring their own programs while St. Mary’s Sewanee provides hospitality.