OUr History
The Founding of Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp
This History of Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp begins shortly before the end of World War II. Bill Morse was the pastor of the Amity Church of Christ. Early in 1944, he told the youth group that if they were faithful in attendance all summer, he would take them to the coast over Labor Day Weekend for a camping trip. That Labor Day weekend, the camping spots on the coast were full, but he found the beach at Wi-Ne-Ma. It was occupied with the Coast Guard. But the Coast Guard told him that they could camp for the weekend with the owner’s permission. During that weekend, one of the youth said, “Wouldn’t it be great if we could buy this place as a camp for all our churches?” Bill Agreed.
Bill called the owner, Mrs. Edna Flemming, and found out that for $5,000 she would “sell over one-half mile of beach frontage, a strip clear around the lake so you will control the lake; we will sell all the unsold lots in the townsite Wi-Ne-Ma, in face, everything between the highway and the beach; also water rights on the springs and the water system’. Bill prayed and enlisted the support of other Christian brothers towards the purchase of Wi-Ne-Ma. A $150 deposit held the buying option open for 60 days.
Bill Morse committed $1,000 and Elery Parish borrowed $1,000 on his home. Werner Rieder was a businessman and a member of the Multnomah Church. Mr. Rieder and his partner in business, Richard P., Borcherding each put in $1,000. Frank Cunningham had a man in his church, L.E. Bierce who was interested in putting in $1,000, but wanted Frank Cunningham to represent him on the board of Trustees. They met with Earl Crawford, Attorney at Law, and drew up non-profit corporation papers with broad terms so that they could buy and sell property. He did not charge for his services, and they immediately took the check to Mrs. Flemming who owned the property.
Though the property hadn’t been surveyed or the final closure taken place, Mrs. Flemming allowed them to take possession of the property. The trustees at the time only planned to develop the grounds for the use of the churches, thinking mainly of using it for retreats.
On November 28, 1944, The Articles of Incorporation of Wi-Ne-Ma were signed by: William F. Morse, J. Frank Cunningham, Elery A Parish, Richard P. Borcherding, and Werner Rieder. On August 19, 1948, L.E. Bierce and Pearl Bierce, signed the quit claim deed with Tillamook County that includes a full description of the property purchased by Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp, Inc., as well as the uses and restrictions of the property.
(The above information as gathered from a talk with Jean Cunningham Ozan, a copy of the Articles of Incorporation and a copy of the Quit Claim on file with Tillamook County. Other Sources were the 1994 video tape made for the 50th anniversary of the camp and the book, beyond what we Ask or Think, copyright, 1986, by William F. Morse).
This History of Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp begins shortly before the end of World War II. Bill Morse was the pastor of the Amity Church of Christ. Early in 1944, he told the youth group that if they were faithful in attendance all summer, he would take them to the coast over Labor Day Weekend for a camping trip. That Labor Day weekend, the camping spots on the coast were full, but he found the beach at Wi-Ne-Ma. It was occupied with the Coast Guard. But the Coast Guard told him that they could camp for the weekend with the owner’s permission. During that weekend, one of the youth said, “Wouldn’t it be great if we could buy this place as a camp for all our churches?” Bill Agreed.
Bill called the owner, Mrs. Edna Flemming, and found out that for $5,000 she would “sell over one-half mile of beach frontage, a strip clear around the lake so you will control the lake; we will sell all the unsold lots in the townsite Wi-Ne-Ma, in face, everything between the highway and the beach; also water rights on the springs and the water system’. Bill prayed and enlisted the support of other Christian brothers towards the purchase of Wi-Ne-Ma. A $150 deposit held the buying option open for 60 days.
Bill Morse committed $1,000 and Elery Parish borrowed $1,000 on his home. Werner Rieder was a businessman and a member of the Multnomah Church. Mr. Rieder and his partner in business, Richard P., Borcherding each put in $1,000. Frank Cunningham had a man in his church, L.E. Bierce who was interested in putting in $1,000, but wanted Frank Cunningham to represent him on the board of Trustees. They met with Earl Crawford, Attorney at Law, and drew up non-profit corporation papers with broad terms so that they could buy and sell property. He did not charge for his services, and they immediately took the check to Mrs. Flemming who owned the property.
Though the property hadn’t been surveyed or the final closure taken place, Mrs. Flemming allowed them to take possession of the property. The trustees at the time only planned to develop the grounds for the use of the churches, thinking mainly of using it for retreats.
On November 28, 1944, The Articles of Incorporation of Wi-Ne-Ma were signed by: William F. Morse, J. Frank Cunningham, Elery A Parish, Richard P. Borcherding, and Werner Rieder. On August 19, 1948, L.E. Bierce and Pearl Bierce, signed the quit claim deed with Tillamook County that includes a full description of the property purchased by Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp, Inc., as well as the uses and restrictions of the property.
(The above information as gathered from a talk with Jean Cunningham Ozan, a copy of the Articles of Incorporation and a copy of the Quit Claim on file with Tillamook County. Other Sources were the 1994 video tape made for the 50th anniversary of the camp and the book, beyond what we Ask or Think, copyright, 1986, by William F. Morse).