Our Dining Room turns 50 I


CHIP SHERER President


often marvel at the visionaries who led Bonclarken in years past.  vision was the opening of our Dining Room / Convocation Hall facility in 1976. This year, these two vital spaces in our ministry celebrate their 50th an- niversary. As I researched for this ar- ticle, I found the story most interesting.


During the 1972 Meeting of Synod held at Bonclarken, a tour of the Hotel was taken by the Moderators Committee on Bonclarken, the members of the Bonclarken Board who were attending Synod, and Bonclarken Director Harold Mace. The Moderators Committee report in the 1972 Minutes of Synod identi-  in the dining room and guest rooms.


At that time, what is now our Gift Shop served as Bonclarken’s dining room,


 - ing list of needed repairs. What really caught my attention, however, was the Moderators Committee recommen- dation to Synod: “we recommend that Synod consider granting the Bonclarken Board the  add that renovation or demolition of the Hotel might be one possibility.” Wow. So the Bonclarken Board got to work. A committee within the Board was formed, with David Tribble (Chairman), Annie Ackerman, Bill Kennedy, Guy Smith, Campbell Stewart, Tom Waites, and Eel Weir, and they were tasked with developing a workable solution. While preparing this article, I called my good friend Guy Smith to get his


recollections of that time. Guy shared, “We were to the point where we had to  We did have the architects consider tearing down the East Wing of the Hotel, building a much larger Dining Room and Kitchen, and rebuilding the guest  new structure.”


The Minutes of subsequent Bonclarken Board meetings document steady


progress, with a capital campaign being approved, which ultimately would raise $550,000 for the project. Groundbreaking was held in June 1975 during the meeting of Synod, and the dedication and grand opening were held just one year later, on June 8, 1976. Not only did the Bonclarken Board have the vision for our new Dining Room, but they also had the vision to include a full kitchen in Convocation Hall. To- day, we simply could not host the variety of camps and conferences each sum- mer without the ability to serve meals in both facilities. This decision made 50 years ago to raise the additional funds for this second kitchen continues to bless Bonclarken to this day.  out in faith when a clear need appeared. We have enjoyed a wonderful Dining Room and Convocation Hall for the past 50 years due to their vision and perse- verance. We are so thankful.


March/April 2026


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Bonclarken


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