Storm Recovery Updates

Friends, 

The weight of the past week has been heavy on all of us who love Pendle Hill. But the outpouring of love is sustaining us, and I am comforted knowing so many people across generations and geography are holding hands together in support of Pendle Hill. I want to share important updates about our first steps in what will be a long recovery process. 

Over the weekend, our Grounds Crew and volunteers had the chance to take a detailed account of the devastation on campus and are continuing cleanup activities from Friday. To date, we have discovered that a total of 52 trees have either fallen or sustained damage to the point that removal is required. We’ve also identified that Upmeads, Waysmeet, Harding House, Chace, Firbank, and the Maintenance Shop are suffering from broken windows, torn siding, crushed gutters, and/or critically damaged roofs. Thankfully, and miraculously, none of our historic buildings sustained irreparable structural damage. 

Now that access roads have been cleared and dangerous trees have been removed, we are focusing this week on working with contractors and our insurance agents to assess the damage to our buildings. It will be several weeks before we know the full costs of these repairs. As we continue to learn more through this process, we will share updates here as news develops. For now, we’d like to note that: 

• Campus is open. 

• Walking trails remain closed until further notice due to safety concerns. 

• Morning Worship Service is available daily again both online and in person.  

• We are not organizing volunteer teams yet, but we will have opportunities available in the future. 

The incredible support from this community has been essential to getting us through the last week. In the first four days since the storm, the Recovery Fund raised over $35,000, which covered the costs to the contractors and emergency crews on Friday’s initial cleanup as we rushed to restore access and make campus safe for guests again. At this moment, the full costs to plant new trees, remove the rest of the damaged trees, and begin uninsured repairs are not yet known. Donations to the Recovery Fund are our lifeline for these unplanned expenses, especially for the work needed throughout the arboretum to restore peace and tranquility to campus.  

Thank you for continuing to hold us in the Light, and please consider contributing to the Recovery Fund as you’re able. Though we discover new distressing details each day, I feel deeply grateful that Pendle Hill is being held by such a loving community. 

With gratitude, 

Francisco 

Click the photos to enlarge

“This is the most damage I’ve seen in my 41 years at Pendle Hill” said Lloyd Guindon, director of facilities and grounds, this morning in the aftermath of a devastating storm.  

Recovery Begins After Severe Storm

4/4/2025

Dear Friends, 

I write to share some distressing news with you about Pendle Hill’s campus. At approximately 4:00 this morning, a severe thunderstorm with hail and winds over 50 miles per hour struck Pendle Hill at full force. Over 25 trees have fallen, blocking roads and trails across the property, and causing significant damage to 6 of our historic buildings. Miraculously, each of the over 30 staff, resident students, and guests on campus were safe and uninjured. A crew of staff and volunteers immediately began clearing access roads while others activated the portable generator in Main House so people could gather and comfort each other, even as power remained out across the area. We are still assessing the damage, and there is an incredible amount of work ahead of us. 

For now, we want everyone to know these announcements:

• Campus is open with limited access only for residents, essential staff, and registered guests. The walking trails are closed until further notice. Power remains unavailable in many buildings, including the Barn and Firbank.

• Morning Worship Service will be open in person only until power is fully restored. We are sorry that online worship will be on pause until Monday when we can restore access.

• Guests and groups scheduled to arrive today and over this weekend are still welcome and have been contacted with updated arrival information.

I also want you to know that the community spirit of hospitality is still shining brightly at Pendle Hill. By noon, the kitchen team had found a way to make a lunch of rice and beans for everyone on campus. Candles were helping light the way in the dish room. Guest services coordinated adjustments for all the guests arriving later today to still have rooms and working spaces ready. Even as work continued into the afternoon, birds were singing to each other and to us as they perched in the branches of Mama Beech, who stood resolute throughout the storm. 

The grounds of Pendle Hill – recently certified as a level II arboretum – support, feed, and shelter so many living beings. We are as motivated as ever to restore this place in the most loving and sustainable way that we can, knowing that there may be areas across campus that remain closed for some time. The reality is that it will take significant work and financial support to make the grounds safe and welcoming again.  

Please consider making a gift to our recovery fund now to help.

The wind and the hail may have devastated the grounds, but no storm can darken the Pendle Hill spirit. Please continue to hold Pendle Hill and all the living creatures here in the Light. 

In Friendship, 

Francisco 

Click the photos to enlarge