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
retreat 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 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.
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 were a part of what was called SumMiT (Summer
Ministry Team), and is now called IMPACT. 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. "Yesteryears" (a celebration of America's past), was a program which
was enjoyed throughout the 1990s. We also hosted 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. 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.
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.
Since the inception of this group, there has been 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. 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 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.
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: 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: Spring Valley Lodge was remodeled.
1992: 731 decisions were recorded (178 salvations, 532 rededications and 21
Christian Service).
1992: 80 additional acres were purchased.
1993: 671 decisions were recorded (156 salvations, 497 rededications and 18
Christian Service). .
1993: Swimming Pool was completed.
1994: 893 decisions were recorded (213 salvations, 657 rededications and 23
Christian Service).
1994: The EDGE ropes challenge course at Windermere was dedicated.
1995: 1,084 decisions were recorded (321 salvations, 725 rededications and 38
Christian Service).
1995: The greenhouse was completed.
1995: A new boat dock was installed with 41 stalls: new water recreation
equipment was added.
1995: Playground was built next to the pool.
1995: Sand volleyball court was added to Spring Valley Area.
1996: 731 decisions were recorded (178 salvations, 532 rededications and 21
Christian Service).
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: "The Screamer" was added to The EDGE ropes challenge course.
1997: 1,284 were decisions recorded (421 salvations, 825 rededications and 38
Christian Service).
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.
2000: 1,681 decisions were recorded.
2000: Dining Hall was completed.
2000: Windermere was incorporated.
2001: 1,587 decisions were recorded.
2001: Lightning struck the Maintenance Shop and it burned to the ground, no
one was injured.
2001: Koehler Lodge opened.
2001: Old Boys Dormitory was remodeled and turned into the Volunteer Lodge,
improvements were made to Spring Valley Lodge.
2001: "The Cedar Edge Rescue" was added to The EDGE ropes challenge course.
2002: Lake Side Snack Shop was remodeled. Deck for 80, walk up window, grill,
and music
videos were added.
2002: Lake View Lodge opened and was dedicated in September.
2002: Greenhouse was remodeled and 800 square feet 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 hours were 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: Over 1,000 girls and their leaders attended the Girls on Mission
Conference.
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 water inflatable, two water logs and personal water crafts.
2005: Boat dock was relocated and expanded further in
to the lake to allow 95 guests instead of the previous 40 to play in the water
at the same time.
2005: A Volunteer Lounge was created along with
volunteer cabins; a wishing well was added at the cave, and work was completed
on the first tier at Vespers.
2005: The Registration/Front Desk area was redesigned
and streamlined inside and out.
2005: Pleasant Valley Church worked on a Wilderness
Creek Dorm as a volunteer project, and Eldon First Baptist Church worked to
update the mini-golf course.
2005: Upon Frank Shock's resignation, Dan Bench (former
Volunteer Coordinator) was named Executive Director (Interim) of Windermere.
2006: The Board of Trustees named Dan Bench as
President/CEO of Windermere.
2006: Bud Builder volunteers updated the corner Cedar
Grove cabin.
2006: Windermere kicked-off the early days of the
Building Lives Capital Campaign at the Board of Advisors meeting.
2006: Aviva has done revenue-sharing of the water
inflatables in the water park. This has significantly expanded our water toy
selection, and increased revenue at the marina, without as many man hours for
Windermere staff.
2007: The Spring Valley Lodge was refurbished and
brought up to date.
2007: Aviva continues to do revenue-sharing of the
water park inflatables with us. This has significantly expanded our water toy
selection, with the best selection of Iceburgs, Aqua Jumps, and Teeter-Totters
in the region.
2007: A record number of guests stayed at Windermere
this year.
2008: Windermere is holding its 50th Anniversary
Homecoming Celebration with outstanding entertainment, memories, preaching,
always great food and fun!
2008: Windermere is having its best year ever with a
record number of guests here for life-changing experiences!
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
