Canterbury’s Mission

Our mission and our ministry is for the Canterbury Conference Center to be a center for spiritual growth. We equip people with life and ministry skills. We provide a calm and peaceful setting where they can retreat from the hectic chaos of their daily lives. We help them focus on their own inner growth and health, as well as the growth and health of their organization.

We do all of this by offering hospitality inside a sacred space where people can grow in their knowledge and love of God. We offer conference space, as well as a place for group and solo retreats inside a sanctuary from the world.

How do we do this?

At Canterbury Conference Center, every staff member sees it as their personal mission to enable our guests to experience those life changing moments. Our purpose is to give you a respite from outside distractions and the details of everyday life, and to let you get in touch with the natural and spiritual environments that create our sacred space.

We seek to create an experience for everyone who comes here will return home refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to better serve their communities.

Our Vision

Canterbury Conference Center’s purpose is to host church retreats, corporate events, personal weddings, family and class reunions, baby showers, and other small and large private events.

The Canterbury staff and property are blessed with our service to our guests, and our goal is for them to leave as blessed as we have been.

The Canterbury Prayer

O Gracious God, in whom we live, and move, and have our being, you are with us in times of joy and celebration; you are with us when we journey through the shadowlands.

So, continue to bless the Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center, its staff, board, donors, and all who care for this special and sacred place.

Grant that all those who come here as pilgrims and visitors find welcome and refreshment, peace and purpose, beauty and blessing, comfort and renewed companionship with you.

Then having experienced your presence here, send them forth by your Spirit to be agents of transformation in this weary world.

At this we ask through our Savior, Jesus Christ, our Companion along the way. Amen.

Dr. Pete AlwinsonForge
Canterbury Retreat Center is an oasis in the city! Warm, servant-leadership and true commitment to Christ mark all of the staff of Canterbury. Combined with great facilities and natural beauty it is a place where people can rest, listen to God and others, learn, make decisions and grow in faith. You’ll love Canterbury!
Neal Watkins, Minister for Faith FormationFlorida Conference, UCC
"I am blown away by the experience that our group had at Canterbury, it was beyond our expectations. The beauty, the hospitality, the professional quality, and the extravagant grace to just be - it was perfect! We are eager to use Canterbury again in the future!"
The Very Reverend G. Richard Lobs IIIRetired Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke's, Orlando
I have enjoyed the Canterbury Conference Center since the 1970's. It has been an ongoing source of blessing to me - not least its peaceful tranquility. Canterbury is reaching new highs with Fr. Jon Davis at the helm. I am enthusiastic about what the Lord is doing through his leadership. Come and enjoy.
A.C. LockyerSoftwash Systems, Inc., Founder and President
Canterbury hosted our Softwash-A-Palooza convention and training event and I couldn't be more pleased. The way the staff there took care of us combined with the incredible beauty of the surroundings gave our event a warms and "homey feel" that we could have never gotten at a hotel facility. I would highly recommend Canterbury for a top-notch corporate event experience with that something extra added in.
Bishop William MiklerCommunio Christiana
Drawing lessons from the historic abbeys and monasteries that shaped Western Civilization, Fr. Jon and the Canterbury team are doing something different and needed. They are transforming a retreat center into a mission outpost bent on advancing Christian faith and practice in every sector of life.
Mary Cooper, PresidentEngaging Outcomes, President and Lead Guide
I have had the pleasure of holding several professional training sessions at Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center over the last few years. From the booking process and pre-session communications to the days on-site, I could not ask for a better partner. If you are looking for a unique setting for a meeting or retreat and want a quality experience with more character than a standard hotel conference space, I recommend you use CR&CC.
Suzanne MatteraEvents/CI Coordinator
For the past several years the Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center has been the perfect venue for our annual event. The friendly and helpful staff continuously provides exceptional service while we thoroughly enjoy the cozy environment overlooking the picturesque lake.
Dan SneedInternational Bible Teacher and Conference Speaker - Author of The Power of a New Identity
Canterbury Retreat is an amazing place of peace and serenity, coupled with an atmosphere that promotes healing and encourages fresh vision. Strategically located on the edge of one of the world's great tourist destinations, Orlando, Florida, is this beautiful, spiritual oasis. It's in the middle of everything and yet offers a total escape and a place of refreshment. It's an amazing, life-changing place. I can't wait to go again!
Amaryllis Sánchez Wohlever, MD, AuthorWalking with Jesus in Healthcare
Canterbury is a holy space ... the perfect place for quiet reflection and prayerful listening to God. Come ready for excellent meals, thoughtful service by a caring staff, and comfortable meeting rooms in a peaceful setting that invites contemplation. I leave refreshed every time, and always long to return.

Canterbury es un sitio sagrado … el lugar perfecto para reflexionar y escuchar a Dios en silencio. Ven y disfruta de la deliciosa comida, el espíritu servicial del personal, y las facilidades placenteras en un ambiente de paz que invita la contemplación. Cada visita refresca el alma y alimenta el espíritu. ¡Por esto, siempre quiero volver!
Sarah BerryNorthumbria Community USA
You gave us the most amazing gift of hospitality this week. You gave us a beautiful space - and time. You took care of us and fed us (wow), if we lacked for something - you provided it. The rooms were spotless, light and airy - looking out on exotic trees and changing landscape of wind on water, sun and shade and wildlife scurrying about - providing endless entertainment.
The North Jersey Homeschoolers Association
Dear Arnold and Canterbury staff,

Thank you for a wonderful stay at Canterbury! The rooms were clean and comfortable, the grounds beautiful and serene, and your staff so kind and accommodating! We felt like part of the “family.” 😁 Canterbury was a perfect setting for our students to relax and refresh after their busy days. And due to an unexpected schedule change, we even got to spend a beautiful day exploring the lake and trails. Special thanks to the catering staff who adjusted their schedule to meet our needs and served the most delicious, hearty breakfasts. Please thank everyone who had a part in our visit. We love Canterbury!

May God continue to bless this special corner of the world,

All the best!
Beth
Vernon Rainwater, PastorNorthland--A Church Distributed
Canterbury is one of my favorite destinations in Central Florida as it truly feels like a ‘place apart’ but a place I really belong. Father Jon and his hospitable staff have hosted our church for large and small events - always making us feel like family. We love it.
Don Sweeting, Former PresidentReformed Theological Seminary, Orlando
I’m glad Canterbury Retreat Center is located near the campus of Reformed Theological Seminary. We’ve held conferences and retreats there. We’ve been blessed by their hospitality and facilities. And, we can be a part of some of the great events held there during the year.
Steve Schneeberger, Executive DirectorYouth Ministry Institute
Youth ministers from all over the state gather at Canterbury for monthly training. We love the food, hospitality and the contemplative atmosphere while also being minutes away from big city amenities. When Canterbury is booked and we have to go somewhere else, there's a lot of grumbling.
Dr. Steve Harper, Professor EmeritusAsbury Theological Seminary, Blogger "Oboedire"
Canterbury is a sacred space to inhale the Spirit and drink the Water of Life. With that refreshment, we can go back into the world to live more authentically and effectively for Christ.