Epworth by the Sea is a Christian conference, retreat, and event center situated on a 100-acre campus along the Frederica River at Gascoigne Bluff on St. Simons Island, Georgia. The property takes its name from the English boyhood home of Methodist founders John and Charles Wesley, who traveled this same coastline in 1735. Founded in 1949 by the South Georgia Conference of the Methodist Church, the campus has grown into one of the most recognized Christian retreat and conference destinations in the United States, celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024.
The campus offers an extensive collection of meeting and event spaces suited to gatherings of nearly any size. Strickland Auditorium seats up to 800 guests and is the largest venue on the property, while mid-sized options such as Brown Center Auditorium (400 seated), Jones Auditorium (250 seated), and Nalls Auditorium (250 seated) accommodate conferences, church retreats, and group events. For weddings, the historic Lovely Lane Chapel — built in 1880 with original wooden pews and stained-glass windows — provides an iconic ceremony setting, and the open-air Terry Thomas Pavilion overlooks the Frederica River with sunset views for receptions and outdoor celebrations.
In-house catering and full event support are available on site, and on-campus lodging accommodates groups and guests across multiple buildings. The grounds operate as a smoke-free and alcohol-free environment.
