The Mall

The early 1970s brought some structural and visual changes to the “flat” area of the conference center. Camp Director Paul Nelson had the idea to create a mall uniting the different buildings on the flat, a beautiful central area where people could gather. As part of this project, the driveway in front of the dining hall was closed to traffic, brick walls and planters were built to line the pathway, and a kiosk was added to serve as an information booth. Not surprisingly, this path connecting the dining room and the worship center became the meeting place for conference guests, whether sitting around the fire pit for morning Bible study, watching the annual parade on the 4th of July, or buying a root beer from the vending machines. 

In the late 1950s, Fireside Hall was built on the same site to replace the Memorial Hall that was destroyed in a fire in 1955. For many years, the building served the same purpose as the Memorial Hall—a main office, meeting space, storage closets, and restrooms. During the series of projects that saw the mall beautification, the main office of Mission Springs was moved from Fireside Hall to the former director’s house across from the playground. This allowed Fireside Hall to be used for meetings and programming for children. Youngsters in the 1980s might recall earning a Bible for memorizing Bible verses or listening to Daisy Hepburn tell stories using a felt board, all while sitting beneath the image of Jesus painted by Warner Solomon. In 1989, the chimney of Fireside Hall crumbled during the Loma Prieta Earthquake, but the fireplace still remains a focal part of the building. 

For many years, the building was also the home of the Mission Springs camp store. Situated in a space across from the Dining Hall, the “Gift Store” or “Trading Post” contained a collection of goods for sale, from traditional Swedish items for the home or decoration to Christian books and Bibles to toys and candy for children looking to spend their camp money. It was also a place to find fun camp apparel to represent Mission Springs.

Prayer

A Prayer for Unity and Reconciliation

Jesus, You prayed that we would be one. In this beautiful space, knit hearts together across differences. Let forgiveness flow freely, and reconciliation take root. May this be a place of welcome, healing, and holy connection. Lord, hear our prayer. 

Scripture

John 17:20-23

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”