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ministry spanning
parts of three centuries

A small group of German Lutheran immigrant farmers who had settled atop Petit Jean Mountain in the late 19th century chartered the congregation of Trinity Evangelical German Lutheran Church of Wittenberg, Ark., and built a house of worship on a 20-acre plot of land in 1886. The congregation worshiped in the chapel for the next century. But after their numbers dwindled by the late 20th century, the few remaining members deeded the congregation's property to an association of congregations of the Mid-South District, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The Lutheran Camp on Petit Jean Mountain incorporated in July 1983, and a new ministry was born. More recently the camp changed its name to Camp Trinity to honor its historic roots in the congregation and to glorify the Triune God — Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

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The camp celebrated its 40th anniversary May 21, 2023, in conjunction with the dedication of the newly completed retreat lodge at camp. The celebration brought many former campers, staff and board members who had served in the early years of the camp.

THE LODGE AT CAMP TRINITY

For 40 years Camp Trinity has served campers, especially children and youth, at summer camp and retreats. But the camp has relied primarily on four bunkhouse cabins, each with 20 beds in one large sleeping room, to provide lodging for campers and guests. The cabins work well for youth retreats, but they are less than ideal for family camp and adult retreats. Churches looking for a place to hold adult or family retreats have had to look elsewhere because of the lack of private rooms. And the camp has had to turn away families who want to attend Family Camp because of limited lodging options.

A retreat lodge with private rooms was part of the original vision for the camp when it was created in the 1980s. But the lodge never came into being.

Until now.

The Camp Trinity Board of Directors voted in 2021 to build a retreat lodge with private sleeping rooms, along with a large meeting room and kitchen. The board set aside almost one-third of the projected cost to build the lodge. The remainder is being raised through donations over a three-year period from August 2021 to August 2024.

 

Construction began in October 2021, and the project was completed in December 2022.

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Nearly all the cost to build and furnish the lodge was paid for through the generous donations of camp supporters — churches and individuals alike — and through the camp's investments. But the camp did have to obtain a bank loan for a portion of the expenses and is seeking to pay off the debt as soon as possible to avoid interest payments. We invite friends of the camp to help us retire the debt in 2024.

The loan for the lodge was rolled into the loan for the manager's home at Camp Trinity. As of April 2024, the total debt on both buildings had been reduced to $44,000.

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See below for more details about the lodge construction and capital campaign.

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Yes, I want to help Camp Trinity complete its mission!

pledge

Thanks for submitting!

You can donate in whatever method is most convenient for you:

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1. By check, mailed to: Camp Trinity, 110 Montgomery Trace, Morrilton AR 7211

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2. Through PayPal by clicking on the blue Donate button above (consider adding 3% to your gift to cover PayPal fees)

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3. Through LCEF's Joyful Response (Your donations are automatically withdrawn from your bank account at the intervals and for the time period of your choosing. We can set it up for you. For details call the camp office: 501-652-6304)

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the project? A rustic retreat lodge for family camp, women's and men's retreats, and reunions.

Where was it built? At Camp Trinity, the Lutheran Camp on Petit Jean Mountain.

What is the capacity? The 3,200-square-foot building will accommodate up to 28 people in six private sleeping rooms, large gathering room with a stone fireplace, galley kitchen, laundry room, and 500-square-foot walk-out basement/storm shelter.

Who is the architect? HTW Architects and Engineers, Russellville.

Who is the builder? Williamson Construction, Russellville.

When was groundbreaking? The Groundbreaking/Site Dedication/First Fruits Offering was Aug. 15, 2021.

When was the project completed? December 2022.

What was the cost? $725,000 (includes architect's fees, survey, soil tests, loan fees, closing costs, parking lot and furnishings)*. The cost does not include the value of donated building materials (stone for exterior and fireplace, framing lumber, windows, shingles, sod, porch and deck furniture, porch support beams, TV & stand, padded chairs), estimated at more than $50,000.

How much was set aside prior to the capital campaign? $225,000 in the camp endowment and investment accounts designated for capital improvements. 

How much has been raised through donations? $458,000 as of April 2024, with additional pledges of $4,000 over the next 12 months, for a total of $462,000

How much is needed to retire the debt? $44,000 (combined debt on lodge and manager's home)

What about in-kind donations? The camp has received several generous in-kind donations for the lodge: stone for the front of the building and the fireplace in the central meeting room; roof shingles; framing lumber; windows; 60 stacking chairs for the meeting room and sleeping rooms, sofa, large-screen smart TV and stand, rocking chairs and tables for the porch and deck. We have also received cash gifts designated for a refrigerator, dishwasher, range, 2 washers, 2 dryers.

We are still seeking the following donations (new or new condition, please):

6 night stands; 6 lodge-style table lamps.

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*An earlier projected cost was based on the architects' preliminary estimate in spring 2021 and did not include the basement, land survey and appraisal, soil tests, loan fees & closing costs, parking lot, or furnishings.

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Book the Retreat Lodge

The lodge is available for retreats and reunions. Individual rooms are not available to rent, but the entire lodge can be booked for any size event, with beds for up to 30 people. Email the camp office to check availability: director@lutherancamp.org. The rate is $400/night Friday and Saturday or $300/night Sunday-Thursday for the common areas (820-square-foot gathering room, kitchen, bathrooms, porch and deck) plus $50/night for each sleeping room. To rent the entire lodge with all six sleeping rooms is $700/night Friday and Saturday, $600/night Sunday-Thursday. There is a $100 cleaning fee added, regardless of length of stay.

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Psalm 127:1

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