[ Our Founder ]

Our History

In 1948 the Minnesota District of the American Lutheran Church (ALC) authorized the purchase of 144 acres on Shakopee Lake and Warren Lake northwest of Onamia, MN.  Dr. Arthur Braun, advisor to the Luther League, led the charge in creating a camp for the youth of the American Lutheran Church.  Braun was assisted by Rev. William Tinge, Rev. Otto Herder, and Rev. Paul Bredow.

Plans for the development of the camp were made by the Nichols firm of Site Planners and Architects who also assisted in the planning of the State Capitol approach and the campus of the University of Minnesota.  The original property was quite rustic and had a primitive log barn, a farmhouse, and included wetlands and swamps.

The camp adjoins Mille Lacs Kathio State Park, established in 1957, which created a 10,500 acre outdoor resource along the Rum River next to the camp.  The natural history of the area includes over 4000 years of continuous Native American history.   The site bears historic landmarks from Minnesota history including logging booms and stagecoach trails.  The area was also prominent in the maple sugar era of this heartland region.

Clearing of the grounds and construction using volunteer labor supplied by churches was started in 1948.  Friendship Hall, the first building, was dedicated in July 1949.   The facility served as a meeting, program, and worship center, and was also used as a dining hall.  Lodging was first provided in temporary Army barracks.   Electricity from the REA was first installed in October of 1951.

On May 29, 1948, the camp came under the dedicated leadership of Bill and Iona Knoll.   Their duties included property management, camp record keeping and food service; all the necessary behind-the-scenes activities required for a well-run camp.  The first camp program was held that summer.  Eventually, youth camps, leadership schools, district conventions, mission weeks, family camps (1952), senior adult camps, a Lutheran World Federation gathering (1957), and men and women's auxiliaries were all hosted at the camp.

In 1949, Friendship Hall was dedicated "to the memory of the young people who have given their lives to their Church and Country."  Lakeview and Pine Needle dormitories were added in the early fifties, with a third dormitory called Woodland completed in 1954.  An eight-unit motel for families, staff, and campers was built and completed in 1959.

An attractive Fireside Circle with a large memorial cross was completed and dedicated in June 26, 1959, the 10th anniversary of the camp programs.  The name, "Memorial Camp," expressed the district's desire to dedicate this camp to the memory of the young people who had given their lives in service to their church and country.  Braun Chapel was dedicated on July 30, 1961, in honor of the camping leadership provided by Dr. Arthur Braun, the District President and Board member.

In August 1963 a modern home providing a new residence for the camp manager was completed at the entrance to the camp.

On June 15, 1970, Camp Logos, owned and operated by the Minneapolis Conference Camp Association, merged with American Lutheran Memorial Camp.  Canoe trips on the St. Croix and small group camping programs continued at Camp Logos until June 18, 1984, when the Southeastern Minnesota District of The American Lutheran Church (TALC) sold the property to Taylor Properties.

The construction of an all season retreat center began in August of 1970.   Completion and dedication took place on October 22, 1972.  With the completion of this center, the camp began a year round retreat program, expanding the ministry of the camp to all seasons of the year.

In May 1971, Pastor William E. Vogel was called to serve the camp association, which now owned both Camp Onomia (American Lutheran Memorial Camp at Onamia) and Camp Logos (the wilderness property located on highway 70 and the St. Croix River).  Pastor Bill and his wife, Helen, served the camp until retirement.

In March 1975, the American Lutheran Memorial Camp (Onomia & Logos) became owned and operated by the Southeastern Minnesota District of The American Lutheran Church.   A primary reason for ownership by the District was to provide a firm foundation for the financial needs of the camp.  A significant debt from the construction of the retreat center required a broader financial support base.  The District appointed a camp board to manage the affairs of the camp, and under its leadership, the camp continued to progress.  An additional 80 acres were added to the camp in 1980, and in 1987, the mortgage on the retreat center was paid and the camp became debt free.

Many new programs were added to the camp during these years.  Mr. Mike Francis became the full time program director in 1980.  In 1985 a Minnesota Elderhostel program was introduced.

With the formation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the ownership of the camp was transferred back to an association of congregations.  The member congregations are located in five of the six synods in Minnesota.  The ownership and operation of the camp in the association began on January 1, 1988.  The camp's name permanently became Camp Onomia and the first annual meeting of the new association was October 10, 1987.

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Last modified: October 07, 2005