The Beginning...
It was an inspiration conceived on a leisurely Sunday afternoon drive in 1933. Dr. Harold Strathearn, an evangelist from England and founder of the Interstate Evangelistic Association, was driving down that Canandaigua lakeside country road with his friends Don and Howard Joss. Strathearn’s objective in ministry, and the purpose of his newly formed IEA, was to promote evangelism in local churches and to encourage pastors and students.
One of Strathearn’s dreams was to one day establish a camp and conference center to provide inspiration and biblical instruction along with fellowship and physical refreshment for the Christian community – a worthy but perhaps ambitious objective in an economy still in depression.
With the help of the Joss brothers, the property was purchased for $3,000. Dr. Strathearn went so far as to pawn his wife’s wedding ring in order to make the down payment.
Initially called “The Tabernacle on the Lake”, the new conference ground opened in 1934 with tents being pitched on the hillside from the campers, guestrooms made available in the stucco farmhouse for dignitaries, a fireplace was used for cooking meals and an aged old barn was used for holding meetings. The camp flourished by the grace of God and through the support and leadership of area churches and churchmen who chose to get involved.
R.G. & Doc Strathern
Enter R.G. LeTourneau... Then in 1938 Mr. R. G. LeTourneau, a noted Christian industrialist and inventor, took particular note of the camp and the Strathearn vision. Although concerned that the camp – but not the vision – might be “too small”, he chose to give generously of his financial resources. This allowed for the first major expansion and growth of the ministry in 1939 with many of the original buildings being erected. Mr. LeTourneau continued to support the ministry over several years and always looked forward to visiting the camp as often as he possibly could. In appreciation for his dedicated interest, financial contributions and much needed help; the “powers that were” changed the name to LeTourneau Christian Camp. The LeTourneau name has remained to this day in honor of Mr. Robert Gilmour LeTourneau and his worldwide ministry. Soon the property east of the road was cleared and a farm house that had been built a few years earlier became the dinning hall, with guest rooms upstairs. Tents gave way to a row of white cabins and perhaps most importantly – a new “tabernacle” grew out of the hillside and the original old barn was retired to some nearby landfill. As the idea of the camp was shared, others began to catch hold of Dr. Strathearn's vision and in 1941 the Recreation Hall was added as a tribute to Mr. Donald LeTourneau the deceased son of R.G. who had died in a tragic plane crash the year before. With the winterization of more buildings, the Camp began to see hope for the introduction of year-round conferences. As the ministry grew the need for more winterized facilities grew with it. In 1952 the Strathearn Memorial Lodge was built in memory of Dr. Harold Strathearn who went home to be with the Lord in 1950. In 1955 the ministry began year round operation. This same vision of growth and expansion to serve God's people is still alive and continues to grow today.
Harold & Fran Seeley
Mr. Harold Seeley...
In 1939, Harold J. Seeley was named Administrative Assistant to Dr. Strathearn. Then in 1950 Mr. Seeley succeeded Mr. Strathearn as Executive Director. It was under the direction and leadership of Harold Seeley, and his faithful wife Fran, that many building renovations were added. It was through his obedience and willingness to follow God's plan and his striving to continually expand the outreach, that the facilities were greatly enhanced in preparation for a larger ministry.
Throughout the Seeley tenure, the Camp ministered to tens of thousands of children, teenagers and adults. Many of these same souls are today working in full time Christian service because of the influences on their lives through this ministry.
Through the years many Churches and Christian organizations have utilized the facilities of LeTourneau for Bible conferences, Church retreats, Youth camps, Training sessions, Banquets, etc. More significant yet, was the spiritual commitments that were made by so many thousands of people. Ministers, Missionaries and Christian leaders around the globe can look back to climatic moments when, at LeTourneau Christian Camp, they took the first steps on a journey that would lead to their lifetime of Christian service.
Dick Snavely
Family Life Ministries...
After serving nearly fifty years as a dedicated and humble servant to the Lord, Mr. Seeley retired in 1986. With no one in the wings to take over the reins of the ministry and yet a strong desire persisting to see the camp continue with the evangelistic work, Mr. Seeley approached Mr. Dick Snavely. After discussions and a firm commitment to continue with the work that the Lord had started here at LeTourneau an agreement was reached. Mr. Harold Seeley and Mr. Dick Snavely (founder and Executive Director of FLM) recognized the hand of the Lord on their separate ministries and now would trust the Lord to continue His blessings on this merger. With the Seeley resignation, the Interstate Evangelistic Association was dissolved and the ownership of LeTourneau Christian Camp was transferred to Family Life Ministries, Inc., Bath, NY for the sum of one dollar. The name was changed to LeTourneau Christian Camp & Conference Center and the next phase of evolution was to begin.
On June 2, 2002, Mr. Harold Seeley finally went home to be with His Lord.
Director - Ralph Dewey... December 1986 - September 1996
For the next ten years Mr. Ralph Dewey served as the camp Director and fostered the continued growth of the ministry. Being the first Director to succeed Harold Seeley who had served 37 years in that position, he spent his first summer at LeTourneau being groomed to be Harold’s replacement with some On-the-Job training supervised by Mr. Seeley himself. During Ralph’s tenure, rennovations were continued and completed on the Lodge, Bethany House, Lakeside Cottage, and the small Cook’s Cabin located next to the Frye House on the southside of the property. Relying heavily on the staff that Mr. Seeley had assembled of Jack and Shirley Seabrook, Otto and Edie Krein, Avis Sowl, Gerri Moose, and Mrytle Van Riper the center entered the 90’s as it purchased new property (twice) to the south and embraced a new type of scheduling wherebye more than one group at a time could use the facilities. New programs for youngsters were added directed by Family Life Ministries and some special one day programs, such as Ladies Luncheons created. In March of 1996, the center experienced a serious fire which destroyed the Dining Hall and Dewey apartment located above the Hall. Without a weekend of interuption, the center continued serving retreat groups weekly. In September of 1996, Ralph Dewey and family exited as Director to return to his former field in education.
Director - Brian Gower… 1998 – July 1999 Brian Gower served as Director from 1998 to July of 1999. During the tenure of Brian several renovations took place. The basement of the Director’s house was renovated along with the building what today serves as the administration office.
Director - Ron Davis… August 2000 – December 2002
Having been retired from forty years in private and public schools, Ron Davis agreed to serve as interim director of LCC in August of 2000. The emphasis during his tenure there was to re-establish relationships with area churches, former camp attendees and to reduce the deficit that had been accumulating over the recent years. Some physical changes were accomplished such as opening of the west end of the Rec Hall for additional meeting room and the establishment of a book/gift store in the former classroom building. New roofing on Hilltop and Lakeside along with a “new” boat and jeep type vehicle was graciously supplied by the Lord. A ladies' committee was formed to help establish an outreach to area women and as an effort to help the camp's utilization. The committee developed ladies' luncheon programs and a weekend ladies retreat. Christmas and Mother's Day dinners were instituted as well as father and son weekends.
Director - Bob Nantais… May 2002 to February 2008
He came from Freedom village and served along side his wife Donna for six years as director and wife.
R.G. & Doc Strathern
Harold & Fran Seeley
Dick Snavely