The Bonhoeffer House

(Directions)

Theological Horizons is centered at The Bonhoeffer House in Charlottesville, Virginia. Horizons’ vision to reinvigorate the church, the university and the larger community is carried out not only in lecture halls and at conferences but also at the center of a home where discussions are grounded in God’s love, where each person is welcomed as a guest, as family in Christ’s name.

Named for pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Bonhoeffer House is an old, inviting house in the midst of the University neighborhood. Students, professors, neighbors, church people, visitors gather there for conversation, for food, for study, for rest.

The Bonhoeffer House is known as an available, open place. Many people come through the Bonhoeffer House door for casual meals, a prayer group, a formal dinner, quick cups of tea, an academic honors celebration, a neighborhood meeting or an evening of worship in community. College kids far from family get a taste of home. Groups from the university and the community sometimes hold their own meetings there. Academic lectures are often followed by dinner parties at the Bonhoeffer House, attended by professors, graduate students and people from the community, many with widely different faith commitments. During those conversations around the big cherry table, understanding is forged.

The Bonhoeffer House is the Marsh home, as well, so family life provides a personal context for Horizons’ hospitality.

Karen Marsh, Horizons Associate Director, reflects, “I see deep connections between Theological Horizons’ vision for the renewal of Christian theology and the embodiment of Christian faith in the simple offerings of food and friendship at the Bonhoeffer House in Charlottesville.

I am encouraged by the far-reaching impact of Horizons’ national book projects, writing prizes, grants and professional associations. Theological Horizons’ initiatives-from the public lectures and writing prizes to the classes, retreats and student internships--bear rich fruit and ever multiplying new seeds in the world. But ideas and actions come together in a unique way at the Bonhoeffer House in the everyday personal interactions with students, professors and laypeople.”

The Bonhoeffer House is a place offered in the name of Christ. It is a gift to all of us. Between the discussions of ideas and theology there is a space for grace and for comfort, the sense of belonging and Christian community for which Theological Horizons was formed.

"Enter bountiful Bonhoeffer House,

a home away from home,

a home for the deepest questions,

a lived out theology within the context of family and strangers,

mingled amid strands of grace."

- Lane Mathis, Theological Horizons parent

(read more of Lane's reflections here)

Directions to the Bonhoeffer House

from Charlottesville Central Grounds, University of Virgina

Get on Rugby Road where it begins at University Avenue.
With the Rotunda behind you,

go over Beta Bridge.
At the light (Grady Ave./University Circle) turn left onto University Circle.
(University Circle is one way & the house numbers are out of sequence)
The Bonhoeffer House is the 10th building on the right.

It has a red tile roof, cedar shingles & cream stucco.

The house has a tall hedge of boxwood out front.

The number 1841 is over the entry porch.

The UVa Central Grounds Orange BUS stops at the top of University Circle at Grady Ave/Rugby Road.

Park in the driveway if you can…

Street parking is by permit only.