In case you’re wondering what’s so special about this church camp with the funny name, I want to say right up front: Mo-Ranch is not your typical church camp. From the name, to the spectacular Guadalupe River setting, to the unique oil-field-pipe construction of the buildings, everything bears the "lifestyles of the rich and famous" stamp of Conoco Oil tycoon Daniel J. Moran (Mo-ran, Mo-Ranch; get it?).

The Presbyterian Church uses its amazing conference center "to provide a special place and an enriching program in a living, learning, Christian environment to enable people to grow in God through Jesus Christ," but you don’t have to be a Presbyterian to enjoy the fabulous amenities at Mo-Ranch. The center welcomes church, school, business and social groups, as well as families and individuals most of the year (except during the height of summer camp season, and during some conference weekends), and there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Mo-Ranch.

Dan Moran purchased 6,800 acres in 1936, succeeding Houston oilman O.R. Seagraves as owner. The ranch was already a retreat fit for a king, located on the banks of the unspoiled Guadalupe River amid the scenic beauty of western Kerr County, and furnished with a majestic "Manor House" of native limestone and cedar. Moran spent much of the next thirteen years transforming the ranch into a world-class retreat center for his family and friends. Among other things, Moran built an oversize pool lined with two million hand-set tiles, a two-story guest lodge with a massive dual-flue fireplace, a now-famousWater-slide at Mo Ranch water-slide and a beautiful conservatory. His background in the oil business is evidenced by the extensive use of oil-field pipe in his construction projects, and when you see the amazing, 290-foot "catwalk" or the ceiling supports in the auditorium and the chapel, you’ll marvel at the ingenuity of this businessman who used what was easily available to him in such an artistic way. (The ceili ...

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