Christian Family Living Center at North Topsail Beach, NC (910-328-1584)

To the Retreat Center

• From the South Coast:
  1. Take Highway 17 (Market Street) north from Wilmington.
  2. Highway 210 merges with Highway 17 at Hampstead.
  3. Follow Highway 210 as it veers right off Highway 17.
  4. Turn right where Highway 50 joins Highway 210.
  5. Cross the bridge over the Intercoastal Waterway.
  6. Turn left to follow Highway 210 north on the Island.
     Note: This turn is one block before you come to the intersection with the stop light. Watch on your right for three large gray buildings with blue doors after you cross the border into North Topsail Beach. The Retreat Center is on the corner of Highway 210 and Wicker Street.
  7. Turn right on Wicker Street. Follow the directions to the Office/Registration Room in the center building.

• From the North Coast:
  1. Take Highway 17 South from Jacksonville.
  2. Turn left onto Highway 210 toward North Topsail Beach.
  3. Cross the bridge over the Intercoastal Waterway.
  4. As you near the border with Surf City, look for the three large gray buildings of the Retreat Center on the left. The Retreat Center is on the corner of Highway 210 and Wicker Street.
  5. Turn left on Wicker Street. Follow the directions to the Office/Registration Room in the center building.

• From Raleigh:
  Take I-40 to Exit 398, marked “Burgaw, NC 53, Topsail Island Beaches”. Turn right onto NC 53 and go about 15 miles to NC 50. Turn right onto NC 50 and go about 18 Miles and over the South bridge onto island. On the island turn left onto Hwy 210 to Wicker Street. Turn right on Wicker and immediately turn right into CFLC parking lot.

  * ALTERNATIVELY
  Take I-40 to Exit 408, marked "Hampstead, Rocky Point, Topsail Island Beaches." After exiting turn left onto Hwy. 210. Stay on Hwy 210 through Hampstead and Surf City until you get to Wicker Street. Turn right onto Wicker and immediately turn right into CFLC lot. (Resist temptation to leave NC 210 before arriving at Wicker)

• From the Far North: (Baltimore, Washington, Richmond, etc.)
  Take I-95 South to I-40 at Benson, NC. Turn Southeast on I-40 and proceed as above.*

  Watch for notices about the future use of the Topsail Firehouse as the location of the Closing Mass

To St. Mary, Gate of Heaven Catholic Church, N Topsail Island, NC

• The directions are the same as to the Christian Family Living Center, except that the church is about 2 miles before the CFLC on Hwy 210. After you cross the bridge onto the island, and turn left following the signs for Hwy. 210, watch for the Baptist Church (with a white steeple) on the right hand side of the road. Turn right onto the street that is along side of (before) the Baptist Church. At the stop sign, look across the street and to the right. (Like you were looking at 1 o'clock if you were looking at a clock). The Catholic Church is a small white bldg. with a covered deck behind it. There is parking if you go straight across.

To North Topsail Volunteer Firehouse (West Onslow Volunteer Firehouse)

• Same directions as to the CFLC, but go past the CFLC North on NC 210 for about 1 mile. The firehouse is on the left side of NC 210. Parking is available on the firehouse lot, on NC 210, and on the street facing the firehouse. Enter the firehouse by the doors on the main parking lotside.

Short Journey Center in Smithfield, NC (919-934-7463)

To the Retreat Center

• From Raleigh:
  Take I-40 East out of Raleigh crossing over US 70. (Do not take Exit 306 - Smithfield). Continue on I-40 East to Exit 312 (NC 42, Clayton, Fuquay-Varina). At the top of the ramp, turn right. Travel 1/2 mile to the 2nd stop light. Take a left onto Cleveland Road (SR 1010). Travel approximately 10.1 miles and Short Journey will be on your right.

• From Wilmington:
  Take I-40 West. Take Exit 312 (NC 42, Clayton, Fuquay-Varina). At the top of the ramp, turn left. Travel 3/4 mile to the 3rd stop light. Take a left onto Cleveland Road (SR 1010). Travel approximately 10.1 miles and Short Journey will be on your right.

• From Fayetteville:
  Take I-95 North to Exit 95 (Smithfield/Goldsboro) onto US 70. As you pull onto the Exit 95 ramp, follow signs to Business US 70 West. Turn left at the top of the ramp onto Business US 70 West. Travel through downtown Smithfield. Cross the Neuse River and move into your far left lane. At the 1st stop light after crossing the river, turn left onto NC 210 West. Travel 1.5 miles and the road will fork. Stay to the right onto SR 1010 / Cleveland Road. Travel 2.1 miles and Short Journey will be on your left.

• From Rocky Mount:
  Take I-95 South to Exit 95 (Smithfield/Goldsboro US 70). At the top of the ramp turn right onto Business US 70 West. Travel through downtown Smithfield. Cross the Neuse River and move into your far left lane. At the 1st stop light after crossing the river, turn left onto NC 210 West. Travel 1.5 miles and the road will fork. Stay to the right onto SR 1010 / Cleveland Road. Travel 2.1 miles and Short Journey will be on your left.

• From Points East:
  Travel on US 70 into Johnston County. After passing a flashing yellow light, you will get into the far left turning lane at the next stoplight. After making the left turn, you will now be on US 70 West Business heading toward Smithfield. You will pass over I-95. Travel through downtown Smithfield. Cross the Neuse River and move into your far left lane. At the 1st stop light after crossing the river, turn left onto NC 210 West. Travel 1.5 miles and the road will fork. Stay to the right onto SR 1010 / Cleveland Road. Travel 2.1 miles and Short Journey will be on your left.