Celebrating 100 years
On Sunday morning, July 19th, at 10:00 a.m., we celebrated 100 years of a legacy of good stewardship. From its Native American roots, to its lumbering history, Church Island has been a place where God is made known in the beauty of creation and in the rich diversity of relationships created over the years. With the help of the Twin Cities Gospel Choir, devoted mainlanders, First Lutheran members, and friends of Bay Lake Camp, we gave thanks for the many blessings of “the island.” May we continue to care for this land with deep reverence.
~ Adolf F. Landstrom ~
Our deep and sincere thanks go to Adolf F. Landstrom who gifted the island he owned in Bay Lake to First Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1909 before he returned to Sweden.
A Legacy of Hope for the Future
THE SITE - a 59-acre island in Bay Lake given to First Lutheran Church in St. Paul in 1909 by Adolf F. Landstrom after coming to this country with his son, John (his wife died in childbirth) to lumber the land. When he lost his only son to tuberculosis, he decided to go back to Sweden. “I am going back home to Sweden,” he told a friend at First Lutheran. “I have sold my home in St. Paul but I still have that island.” The friend suggested he give the island to the church noting its possibilities for church-sponsored camping. He said, “Sure,” so he sold it to First Lutheran for a dollar and the rest is history.
In 1912, First Lutheran decided to sell the island because of its inacessibility (125 miles north of St. Paul), but there were no takers. In 1916, iron ore was discovered within 15 miles of the island so the “for sale” sign was taken down in hopes that ore might be found on the island. None was discovered, but in 1926, Carl Peterson suggested to the “Lutheran Brotherhood” that the island be used as a church camp and on Fourth of July weekend that year, the first camp was held with camp on the island every summer since.
Legacy Partners
Over the years, it has been a wonder and delight to have many partners along the way who have been instrumental in keeping the dream alive. Through the DNR and the Minnesota Land Trust, Bay Lake Camp has entered into a Conservation Easement that will keep the island in its original pristine beauty for years to come. We are also very grateful to our mainland partners who faithfully come to worship on Sunday mornings in the summers and who through their financial gifts and physical support continue to help us dream into the future....who knows what the Holy Spirit has in store for us next....
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