The History of LMC...continued!

"Lutheran Memorial Camp honors the service men and women of the Ohio District of the American Lutheran Church and is a living memorial to those who gave their lives in the service of their country. It is also a living memorial to others of the Church whom congregations or individuals wish to remember in this manner." (from The Service of Dedication, October 24, 1948). In 1949, Pastor Weldon Bittikofer was called as the first resident manager and the first full summer camping season began in 1950. By 1954, eight more cabins had been constructed and in 1956 a swimming pool was added. Fred Gliem arrived in May 1958 as resident manager and the facilities continued to grow as more buildings and conveniences were added: in 1959, modern sanitary facilities;in 1965, more cabins and nurses quarters; in 1966, the winterized Twin Cherry Lodge; and in 1967, more cabins including Shepherds Fold. This completed the central camp facilities.

Up to this point in history, LMC served mainly as a facility where others came to do their programs. However, when the 1967 District Convention approved the establishment of an Outdoor Ministries Commission, Pastor Tom von Fischer was called as Director of Outdoor Ministries in 1969. The first full-time Summer Staff was on hand in 1969, and anotherera in the history of LMC had begun.

New plans were formulated for the future of LMC. The need became apparent for programming for all ages and all seasons. Sixty additional acres of land were purchased in 1971 and an extensive winterization program was undertaken in 1971, which opened the facilities to year-round use.

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