History of Windermere
Hidden in the woods, on the edge of the Lake of the Ozarks, is
a treasure we call Windermere. It is a beautiful place where our guests can
come to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here they find a
place where they can draw closer to God, friends and family. Windermere is
many things to many people; a conference center, a camp, a recreation spot,
and a wonderful place for a family vacation.
The first non-Native American to settle on these grounds was a
man named Walmsley who immigrated here in 1829. In 1830, Judge George T.
Moulder purchased the land from Walmsley. Judge Moulder also purchased
homesteads from men named Clinton and Commin. At that time, they lived here
with the local Native Americans from the Delaware and the Osage tribes. The
Moulder family and the Native Americans shared the land and used the cave for
refrigeration. Judge Moulder resided on the property until his death in 1886.
At that time there was no lake, only fertile farming land. In the early 1900's
the small town of Cave-Pump grew and thrived in the area that is now the
Windermere Cove. The town was so named because it grew up around a hole that
penetrated the top of the cave providing easy access to fresh water from the
spring that originated in the cave below. Postal records show that Cave-Pump
remained in existence for a number of years after the Civil War. Also living
in the area at this time was a group of horse thieves, gamblers and
counterfeiters. They founded the Bank of Niangua, at Ha Ha Tonka Cave where
they minted counterfeit Mexican dollars. The conflicts between these two
groups ended in a violent struggle known as the Slicker War. In 1931 Bagnell
Dam was constructed on the Osage River resulting in the formation of the Lake
of the Ozarks.
Campbell Taggert Associated Bakeries purchased the land from
Union Electric in 1937. Two associates of the bakery, J.W. Carence and Lou
Bernhardt, came here on a fishing trip. They were so impressed with the area
that upon their return to Kansas City they proposed to Mr. Campbell that they
acquire cabin sites and build a weekend retreat. The bakery acquired 400 acres
and built 21 buildings to be used as a private resort for their employees to
enjoy, with their families, free of charge. Most of these buildings are still
in use today. The grounds became known officially as the “Windermere Club” at
that time because of the resemblance to the land surrounding Windermere Lake
in England where Mr. Carence and his wife had visited the previous year.
Campbell Taggert Bakeries grew and soon the grounds of Windermere became too
far removed from the company for most of the employees to enjoy. The decision
was made to sell the property.
The Missouri Baptist Assembly of Churches purchased the
“Windermere Club” in September, 1957. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur H. Koehler began
their official duties as managers at Windermere on January 1, 1958. Arthur
served as Manager and Marge supervised Food Service. Since 1957 the property
has expanded to over 1,300 acres, most of which remains undeveloped.
The first summer, two RA camps were held with a total of 75
boys and counselors attending. The boys stayed in the eleven cabins in Spring
Valley and Lake View. Conditions for the first guests were primitive and meals
were served on a ping pong table. The old office building was used as a
kitchen, dining hall and auditorium. That fall work began on twenty new cabins
in Cedar Grove. By the next summer Windermere had a new kitchen, dining hall
and auditorium. That first full summer there were 6,453 registered visitors.
In 1962 building began again; the auditorium was enlarged, the motel was
built, a banquet area was added to the dining hall and work began on the
Children's Building. In late August, 1964 the new RA-GA camps were started in
the Spring Valley and Lake View Areas. The growth continued in 1965 when the
new office, snack shop, manager's residence and swimming area were added.
During 1969 more than 15,468 guests visited Windermere. That winter
improvements were made to the lobby, and the snack shop area was developed.
Windermere's first summer staff member, Stanley White, came
here on a fishing trip with a group from Maywood Baptist Church. After camping
on Tick Bite Trail, the rest of Stanley's group packed up and left for home.
Stanley asked to stay and work. The Koehler's sent him to lifeguard school and
hired him and Paul Morefield to work for the summer. The following year the
summer staff workforce doubled to four. In 1961 thirteen summer staffers were
hired. In 1983 that number increased to forty-six. In 2004, 65 high school and
college aged young people are a part of what is now called IMPACT (Summer
Ministry Team). Many of these young people return to work on weekends and
school breaks throughout the year. This is very helpful since Windermere is
now available to guests year round. Many of these staff members formed lasting
friendships with those they met while working at Windermere. They often return
and reminisce about their time at Windermere.
Windermere has been the home of many conferences over the
years. In recent years we have started doing some of our own programming. We
started with “Yesteryears” (a celebration of America's past), which was
enjoyed throughout the 1990's. We also host the annual “Show Me Clowns for
Jesus Conference” each February where clowns from all around the world come to
train and share their skills. The first Clown Conference was held in 1984,
eventually moving to Windermere in 1991. In July 1999, the first official
“Windermere Update” was released. It continues to be aired on Christian radio
stations informing people about events that are happening at Windermere. The
first update was a program in which Sierra was interviewed as our
feature entertainment for “Windermere Presents”, our annual Independence Day
Celebration. It was renamed “Freedom Celebration” in 2001. In 2000 we started
“Christmas at Windermere”, a Christmas Celebration with the family in mind. We
also started “Reality Check” in 2000. This is a New Years Eve Celebration for
High School and College aged youth, with a live band, a special speaker and
midnight fireworks.
The Koehler's provided leadership for 32 years. Marge retired
in 1988 and Arthur in 1989. They resided in Camdenton, Missouri and served on
the Windermere Board of Advisors, until Arthur's death in May of 2004. Marge
had moved into a local nursing home and passed away in June 2004.
Frank Shock was called to be the next Director of Windermere
December 1, 1989. He had been serving at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference
Center, the Louisiana Baptist Convention's Conference Center. Mr. Shock became
the first President of Windermere when it became an Agency of the Missouri
Baptist Convention, with its own Board of Trustees in 2001.
Two challenges faced Windermere in the early 1990's:
-
Make the assembly a year round conference center operation.
-
Implement one of the three Master Plans that had been prepared
but was shelved for lack of funds.
With this in mind the Windermere Board of Advisors was created
to be a “grass roots” organization to review the existing master plans,
refine, and implement them. Dr. Arthur Mallory, a Springfield layman, serves
as Chairman of this group, and was also elected the first Chairman of the
Trustee Board in 2001.
The Master Plan has been revised twice since the inception of
this group, with the addition of some twenty buildings over the last ten
years. Lake View Lodge conference center was completed in May 2002 boosting
Windermere's capacity to 1,250. In 2003 construction began on Phase I of the
New Wilderness Creek Campus. This first phase provides 84 new lodge rooms
accommodating more than six hundred guests. These lodge rooms are similar to
the rooms in the mini lodges, Koehler Lodge, and the Lake View Lodge. We have
requests for this new campus booked over one year into the future. This
expansion will allow Windermere to accommodate many larger conferences and
groups that previously were unable to utilize the facilities because of
limited space. The new campus will includes a
1500-seat auditorium to meet the needs of these groups. Wilderness Creek is
nestled on a beautiful, wooded hillside overlooking a natural creek that winds
through the valley toward the lake.
Windermere will always continue to grow and change, and yet in
many ways it remains the same. These grounds hold many memories for those who
have come, both as guests and as staff. Thousands of decisions have been made
here over the last 40 plus years. Many met their Savior in a personal way for
the first time, while others surrendered to full time Christian Service. There
are numerous stories of those who have met their spouse at Windermere. It is
always a joy and a privilege to visit with those who return. They are always
glad to share about their time here and how this special place has enriched
their lives.
Windermere is truly God's Special Place.
1958: 18 Cedar Grove Cabins were built.
1959: Dining Hall and Earl O. Harding Auditorium were
built.
1960: Marina was added to the grounds.
1962: Additions were made to the Dining Hall and
Auditorium.
1963: Children's Building and Motel were built.
1964: Spring Valley and Lake View Auditoriums were
added to the grounds.
1965: Office and manager's residence was built.
1966: Earl O. Harding Auditorium was dedicated.
1972: Church bus went out of control on the hill
entering the Windermere grounds and crashed into a cabin causing extensive
property damage. Thankfully nobody was hurt. A station wagon rolled backwards
down the hill and into the administration office during registration, again,
no injuries.
1973: The Fred L. Mark Prayer Garden (located in front
of the cave) was dedicated.
1974: Recreation area, including tennis court,
basketball court, shuffleboard area and children's playground were
constructed.
1979: Auditorium and Dining Hall were remodeled.
1980: Banquet area was added to Dining Hall, and an
addition was made to boys' staff dormitory.
1981: Spring Valley cabins, snack shop and gift shop
were remodeled, conference rooms for Lake View and Cedar Grove were added.
1982: Spring Valley Snack Shop was added.
1983: Spring Valley Auditorium was remodeled.
1989: 733 decisions were recorded (191 salvations, 518
rededications and 24 Christian Service).
1989: Arthur Koehler retired after 32 years as Director
of Windermere.
1989: Frank Shock assumed the position as Director of
Windermere.
1990: 669 decisions were recorded (167 salvations, 487
rededications and 15 Christian Service).
1990: Advisory Board was formed at the July MBC
Executive Board Meeting.
1990: Director's house was constructed.
1991: 724 decisions were recorded(189 salvations, 513
rededications and 22 Christian Service).
1991: A new network computer system was installed.
1991: Spring Valley Lodge was remodeled.
1992: 731 decisions were recorded (178 salvations, 532
rededications and 21 Christian Service).
1992: New air conditioner units were added to 120 rooms
in Cedar Grove and the Motel.
1992: New paint and curtains were added to all Lake
View and Spring Valley units.
1992: 80 additional acres were purchased.
1993: 671 decisions were recorded (156 salvations, 497
rededications and 18 Christian Service).
1993: Heating/Air conditioning system for Harding
Auditorium was upgraded.
1993: New carpet and linoleum were added to 4 Spring
Valley Dorms.
1993: Swimming Pool was completed.
1993: Newsletter entitled “The Best of Times” was
started.
1994: 893 decisions were recorded (213 salvations, 657
rededications and 23 Christian Service).
September 1994: “The Edge” ropes challenge course at
Windermere was dedicated.
1994: Lower Harding Auditorium was remodeled with
carpet, lighting and paint.
1994: Motel was remodeled with a fresh coat of paint,
blinds, carpet, furniture, lighting, spreads and linens.
1995: 1,084 decisions were recorded (321 salvations,
725 rededications and 38 Christian Service).
October 1995: The greenhouse was completed.
1995: A new boat dock was installed with 41 stalls and
new water recreation equipment was added.
1995: Playground was built next to the pool.
1995: Cedar Grove units were repainted and mini blinds
and shelves were installed.
1995: Sand Volleyball Court was added to Spring Valley
Area.
1996: 731 decisions were recorded(178 salvations, 532
rededications and 21 Christian Service).
February 1996: Two Deer Ridge mini lodges, two family
cabins and a conference building were added to our list of accommodations.
1996: An anonymous donor provided funds to build the
Prayer Chapel.
1996: Harding Auditorium was remodeled with new carpet
and stackable cushioned chairs.
1996: “The Screamer” was added to “The Edge” ropes
challenge course.
1997: 1,284 were decisions recorded (421 salvations,
825 rededications and 38 Christian Service).
1997: An addition was built onto the Gift Shop.
1998: 1,500 decisions were recorded.
1998: One Deer Ridge Lodge and four Family Units were
added.
1999: 1,547 decisions were recorded.
1999: The Prayer Chapel was dedicated.
1999: Three Staff houses were built.
1999: Computer system was upgraded.
2000: 1,681 decisions were recorded.
2000: Dining Hall was completed.
August 25, 2000: Windermere was incorporated.
2000: “Windermere Presents” was renamed “Freedom
Celebration”.
2000: “Christmas at Windermere” was introduced.
2001: 1,587 decisions were recorded.
April 2001: Lightning struck the Maintenance Shop and
it burned to the ground, no one was injured.
May 2001: Koehler Lodge opened.
2001: “The e-BestofTimes” a biweekly e-mail newsletter
was introduced.
2001: Old Boys Dormitory was remodeled and turned into
the Volunteer Lodge and improvements were made to Spring Valley Lodge.
2001: “The Cedar Edge Rescue” was added to “The Edge”
ropes challenge course.
2001: Phone system was upgraded.
March 2002: A surprise snow caused 176 GA's and their
leaders to extend their time at Windermere the second GA weekend.
2002: Half of the motel rooms received new vanities,
beds and bedspreads. Cedar Grove Cabins got new flooring installed and Harding
Auditorium was repainted and received new carpeting.
2002: Lake Side Snack Shop was remodeled. Deck for 80,
walk up window, grill, and music videos were added.
2002: “Windervision” was added to the Lake Side Snack
Shop and Dining Hall, to help keep our guests informed as to what was going on
at Windermere, with menu, hours of operation, etc.
2002: “The Best of Times” Windermere's quarterly
newsletter returned.
2002: Administration Office was redecorated.
May 2002: Lake View Lodge opened and was dedicated in
September.
2002: Greenhouse was remodeled and 800 square feet
added.
2002: Harding Auditorium was re-roofed and carpeted.
2002: Two staff houses were added.
2002: 1,587 decisions were recorded.
2002: 28,554 guests visited Windermere.
2002: Seating in Vesper Area was refinished.
2002: Over 28,600 volunteer were hours recorded.
2003: Wilderness Creek Campus construction was started.
2003: Over 20,000 volunteer hours were recorded.
2003: 1,590 decisions were recorded.
2003: More than 30,000 guests visited Windermere.
2003: Advisors and Department Coordinators were
challenged to visit a number of churches in their areas.
2003: Over 1,000 girls and their leaders attended the
Girls on Mission Conference, “Learning a Mission Heart”.
2003: New Windermere conferences were added to the
calendar, including “Rekindling the Flame”, “Grand Camp”, “Days
of Renewal”, and “Women in Christian Service”.
2004: Second Annual “Girls on Mission”, “Rekindling
the Flame”, “Days of Renewal” and “Women in Christian Service”
(renamed www.Woman”) Conferences were held.
2004: Phase I of the Wilderness Creek Construction
Project was completed.
2004: New water recreation equipment was added at the
Marina, a teeter totter, a third aqua jump, two water logs and jet skis.
2004: Lake Side Snack Shop was renamed Lake Side Grill.
Windermere Baptist Conference Center
PO Box 458 | 205 Volunteer Drive | Roach, MO 65787
Phone: 573-346-5200 | Toll Free: 800-346-2215
Fax: 573-346-7612
