A private retreat for nonprofits in the Poconos
- Sleeps up to 25 guests
- Home-cooked, family-style meals
- Exclusive use of the house & grounds
- Quiet setting atop Nescopeck Mountain
Welcome to Kirby Episcopal House
Kirby Episcopal House is a historic family home dedicated to serving religious, charitable, and educational organizations. Originally built as “Graystone Terrace” in 1914 for Fred Morgan and Jessie Amelia Kirby, the house was later established by their son, Allan P. Kirby, as an endowed Christian conference center in 1955 in their memory.
Today, Kirby Episcopal House continues that legacy of hospitality and service. We offer nonprofits, churches, and small organizations a peaceful place for meetings, retreats, study, and prayer—away from distraction, yet warm and welcoming, like an extended family home.
Is Kirby Episcopal House right for your group?
Nonprofit Board Retreats
Gather your leadership team in a distraction-free environment, with flexible meeting spaces, shared meals, and room to think deeply about your mission.
Church & Ladies’ Retreats
Enjoy time set apart for worship, rest, and conversation under one roof. The house, chapel, and grounds create a natural space for reflection and spiritual renewal.
Small Conferences & Planning Days
Host your next strategic planning day, workshop, or training in a comfortable, home-like setting—with meals prepared on-site and indoor/outdoor spaces for breaks.
Day Events & Luncheons
Use the house and grounds for single-day gatherings, luncheons, or committee meetings. It’s an inviting alternative to hotel conference rooms.
A Historic House on the Mountain
Kirby Episcopal House sits at an elevation of 1,930 feet at the top of Nescopeck Mountain in the Poconos, with a commanding view of the surrounding countryside.
The gray stone walls were built from boulders gathered from nearby mountains, and the grounds were carved from a wilderness of scrub oak and huckleberry brush.
- Historic stone house with more than 20 rooms
- Sleeps up to 25 guests in twin beds (shared rooms)
- 7 shared bathrooms, maintained to high standards of cleanliness
- Seasonal pool, outdoor lawn games, and walking paths
A Garden Designed for Reflection
One of the most cherished features of Kirby Episcopal House is the Japanese Garden, created in the early 20th century by artisans brought from Japan. Tea houses, a gentle waterfall, a lily pool, and bridge-spanned ponds are connected by winding gravel paths and carefully tended shrubs.
As you stroll through the garden, pause on a bridge, or listen to the water, it’s easy to see why generations have found this place ideal for introspection, prayer, and quiet conversation. The garden is a living reflection of the Kirby family’s appreciation for beauty, the wider world, and the peace that comes with time set apart.
Retreats That Feel Like Home
Overnight Retreats
- Exclusive use of the house and most of the grounds for your group
- Dorm-style sleeping in comfortable twin beds across shared rooms
- Shared bathrooms kept exceptionally clean and well-maintained
- Flexible gathering spaces for meetings, worship, or breakout sessions
- Family-style meals served in the main dining room
Day Events & Conferences
- Living room, dining room, and meeting areas available for sessions and meals
- Ideal for board meetings, planning days, and small conferences
- Access to the grounds and (seasonally) the pool for breaks and informal time together
Home-Cooked, Family-Style Meals
We aim to make your time here simple and stress-free
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared on-site
- Family-style service that encourages conversation and connection
- Menus that can be tailored within reason to your group’s needs
What to expect during your stay
A Retreat House, Not a Hotel
Kirby Episcopal House is more like a large, welcoming home than a commercial conference center. Guests stay in shared rooms with twin beds and shared bathrooms, in a setting that encourages community, conversation, and time together.
Clean, Well-Cared-For Spaces
Great care has been taken to maintain the house, its furnishings, and the grounds much as they were when it was privately owned. Guests often comment on the excellent housekeeping, pristine bathrooms, and beautifully kept gardens and lawns.
Respect for a Special Place
Kirby Episcopal House is a memorial to those who built it, loved it, and gave it for the use of others. In making this retreat house available, the Kirby family and the Diocese of Bethlehem invite you to enjoy its hospitality and to treat it with reverence and respect. Simple house guidelines help ensure that everyone can enjoy this space now and in the years to come.
Tucked Away in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania
Kirby Episcopal House is located in Glen Summit Springs in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania—about 10 miles south of Wilkes-Barre and 20 miles north of Hazleton, just off Route 309. It’s an easy drive for groups from across the region, yet quiet and secluded once you arrive.
