Surrounded by the woods, mountains, lakes and streams, away from the problems and interruptions of everyday life, visitors to Sumatanga can rest their burdens, gaining inspiration from the beautiful peace of the natural setting.

 The 1700-acre facility stretches along the valley in St. Clair County, nestled against Chandler Mountain. The land was bought in 1948 not only for its beauty, but also for its central geographic location in the North Alabama Conference. Even before construction began on the first building in 1950, leaders of the conference envisioned the site as a mountain retreat center where people of all ages could come for spiritual renewal and fellowship.

In 1951, when the first Youth Conference was held at the facility the vision became reality. Today, though the grounds have been updated and expanded, the original purpose remains unchanged.