SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, Calif. – St. Francis Retreat here, which was partially destroyed by fire last year, is being rebuilt in a southwest design. Planners expect the first new building to open in the fall of 2008.
The retreat’s main building, the 150-year-old Victorian style Flint-Bixby Ranch House, was destroyed by fire last June. The Franciscan Friars of California, who own and operate the retreat here, are celebrating their 60thyear of operating the retreat which serves 6,000 to 7,000 visitors annually.
The venue offers retreat programs of its own and hosts retreats for outside organizations, according to Ed DeGroot, business manager for the retreat. The facility is open during its renovations.