About Us

The Notre Dame Spiritual Retreat sits atop Shaker Hill in Alfred, Maine. The hill was home to a Shaker community from 1793 until 1931, when the Brothers of Christian Instruction bought the property. The Brothers, who still have a religious order here, opened the center in 1981 to groups looking for a place to host retreats. In 2017, the Brothers turned over the management of the property to their neighbors on Shaker Hill, York County Shelter Programs.

The center is a perfect setting for groups and organizations that come here for:

  • Spiritual retreats for activities such as yoga, meditation and mindfulness
  • Church groups of all faiths
  • Recovery groups
  • Crafting retreats
  • Private retreats
  • Classes and workshops
  • Business and organizational meetings and conferences
  • Special events, such as birthdays, anniversaries, showers and reunions

We have a 1.5 woods trail perfect for walking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. In the fall, pick apples at a nearby orchard. We are also near many other nature trails, lakes and the ocean.

Call us to learn more: 207.324.6160. Email manager Sue Cass at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Our physical address is 133 Shaker Hill Road, Alfred, Maine. We are happy to give you a tour of the facilities.

Download our brochure now.

Testimonials

  • “ChIME has been going to NDSC since 2005. We currently visit each year for a Saturday-Sunday retreat in December and again for a full weekend retreat Friday through Sunday morning in March. Over the years, our group size has ranged from 20-35, and the space has always felt both ample and cozy. We have found the staff very welcoming and responsive to questions and requests, the food service responsive to dietary needs of students, and the facilities great both indoors and out.  We love the choice of rooms and settings for gatherings in Denis Hall. We use the larger room with tables for an art project, the living room for quieter gatherings, and the chapel for our own worship service. The library/kitchen area is a real bonus for sharing snacks and drinks outside the dining room hours. The woods, cemetery, and road are beautiful for walking or snow shoeing and are always used by many in our group.”
  • Thank you for the wonderful space!
  • Everything was comfortable and welcoming. :)
  • Wonderful food and very friendly staff!
  • I love the access to the woods,trails and all the windows in our meeting space.
  • OMG it's over the top amazing always!
  • Comfortable, clean, spacious.
  • York County Senior College which is an organization whose membership is open to anyone 50 years or older. Our mission is to provide a wide variety of stimulating courses and activities to its members. For the past many years YCSC has organized a lecture series once a month for the months of January, February and March. These lectures have been held at Dennis Hall on the campus of The Brothers of Christian Instruction in Alfred, Maine. The Campus there has been an ideal location for this event. Parking is easy with plenty of room for all vehicles. We use the hall for the lectures. The hall is spacious with comfortable seating for 60-70 people. Our speakers have been very pleased with the set up for them, and we have been more than pleased with the facility. We also serve lunch at these events. The lunch is served in the nearby dining hall. The food is always delicious, plentiful, and more than adequate for our members. The people who are in charge of this facility are always friendly, helpful, and professional. I would highly recommend this facility to any organization that is looking for centrally located space for lectures, or any sort of gathering, delicious lunch, and coffee and pastries, with plenty of parking and a friendly professional atmosphere. Definitely consider this spot for your next meeting or conference.

Experience the center!

Reserve your space today!