The Mennonite Brethren In Christ, Ontario District (predecessor to the Evangelical Missionary Church) held its first camp meeting along the banks of the Grand River at Breslau, September 14-22, 1881. The “Berlin Weekly News” published this report: “There was a very large crowd, estimated at between three and four thousand, on Sunday afternoon…Something like one hundred families have pitched their tents for the whole meeting…A large staff of clerical and lay workers are present, and a powerful religious influence prevails.” In the years that followed, these “Bush Meetings” were held annually at various locations across Ontario, including Stayner. This style of Camp Meeting was the predecessor to Christian Camping as we now know it in Ontario.</p>
In 1925, sites in Kitchener and Stayner were purchased. The Kitchener site hosted camp meetings for nearly 40 years, after which it was donated to Emmanuel Bible College.
In Stayner, a 51.9 hectare white pine property on Scott Street had been leased for camp meetings since 1900, and was purchased from Mr. Gartlan for $1500 to become Stayner Bible Conference Grounds. In 1931 the camp committee planted 3,000 seedlings which have matured into our magnificent white pine forest. Through the years the kitchen and dining hall were built, the tabernacle was erected in 1947 with the use of timber from the acreage, and a plethora of improvements and additions were done to meet the needs of a growing youth camp program. Today Stayner Camp hosts family camps and youth day camps, and the retreat centre sees year round use by groups from across Southern Ontario.
In 2016 one of our older cabins was refurbished to become our camp museum. Donations of interest and pictures from long ago are on display. Maybe you can help us identify some of the faces in our pictures. Video footage from past Salt and Light conferences and EMCC Pitch and Praise weekends will be sure to bring a smile to your face. The museum is open from June 10 to Labour Day weekend during events and camps. If you are in the area and want to visit the museum, talk to us in the office and we will be sure the building is open for you.
Timeline of Stayner Camp
1881
The first Mennonite Brethren In Christ camp “Bush Meeting” is held in Breslau, ON.
1882-1924
Camp meetings are held at various locations throughout Ontario. Stayner is the location chosen to hold meetings in 1891, 1892, 1911, 1913, 1915, 1919 and 1922
1925
White pine land on Scott Street purchased from the Gartlan Estate for $1500
1926
The annual camp meetings are held at the newly purchased Stayner and Kitchener Camps
1931
Campgrounds committee plants 3000 seedlings on the grounds.
1936
Kitchen and Dining Hall erected, west four acres planted with red pine
1938
Dr. I.H. Erb starts a youth camp that runs during the regular camp, the South Washrooms are built
1947
The Tabernacle is built with timber from the land
1953
Camp Pinewagami begins. Trail of the Pines camp follows as a camp for younger boys and girls.
1957
The Fellowship Hall is funded by District Youth who also help to build it
1965
The North Field is purchased from the Brown family
1970
A new kitchen and addition to the dining hall are built
1974
Municipal sewers are connected and the east section of the Lodge is built. The first Pitch & Praise youth conference is held on the May long weekend. The event continues to run annually at Stayner Camp until 2006.
1976
The first stage of the winterized lodge is built
1977
Link between the Dining Hall and the Lodge is built (Lower Lounge and offices).
1978
Dining hall is insulated/winterized, fireplace added
1979
An addition to the lodge is constructed
1983
Purchase of 9 Lots from Irvine Locke on the North side of the property
1988
North Washroom is built
1989
Gymnasium is built, Air Conditioning installed in the Dining Hall
1992
Tuck Shop is erected
1993
A Manager’s Home is built on Saunders St.
1999
Renovations to winterize the Nursery
2002
Evergreen Christian Ministries is incorporated in order to independently govern Stayner Camp and Camp Mishewah, while remaining in partnership with EMCC.