History

During the 1940's the diocese began holding summer camps for youth, using the Fortune Lake Lutheran Bible Camp site near Crystal Falls. It was a dream of Bishop Page the younger to establish an Episcopal Church Camp site, and it became possible when $2500 was left in his father's estate, designated for the purchase of an Camp and Conference Center.

The property included 3,000 feet of frontage on Little Lake. Four forties of land across Highway M-35 were added to the lakefront lot. By selling off some parcels, funds were generated to support the development of a summer camp.

Meanwhile, in 1900, Holy Innocents' Episcopal Chapel had been built by William Mather (founder of Cleveland Cliffs Company) in the nearby town of Gwinn and presented to the Diocese of Northern Michigan in memory of his mother, Elizabeth Gwinn Mather. When Cleveland Cliffs moved their operation to Ishpeming, the "model town" declined and interest in the church decreased. The church was closed during the Great Depression.

In 1950, Holy Innocents' Chapel was moved from Gwinn to the site of the Page Center, over railroad tracks and under power lines,and placed on a new foundation. The only damage to the structure was two broken lightbulbs.

The Chapel provided a worship center and a place for recreation and other activities like skit night. At first, the boys slept in the basement of the chapel. Bishop's Hour was held in the church each day for campers. Over the years that followed, a year-round congregation has re-gathered at Holy Innocents. In 2001, a mutual Ministry Support Team was commissioned, with support offered by Missioner Virginia Peacock, who also serves as the Manager of Page Center and Rector of St. John's Church in Negaunee and Grace Church in Ishpeming.

In 1951, the first four cabins were built. In 1952, an additional four were constructed, and a wash-house was added.

One of the cabins was built from money left to Bishop Page by a convicted prisoner, Robert Harper, known as "Gypsy Bob", whom he had befriended. He had developed a great interest in young people and wanted to do something to keep some youngsters from the kind of life he had,

H. Earl Hoover (of Hoover vacuum fame), a boyhood friend of Bishop Page, provided the money for heat-o-later fireplaces in the cabins.

1953, a Dining Hall and Kitchen was built near the Lodge, using funds donated from Bishop Page's former parish in Dayton, Ohio. The tables and chairs used in the Dining Hall today are still the original equipment.

In 1968, a foyer entry and restrooms were added to Holy Innocents' Chapel.

In 1972, a screened-in recreation building was built and dedicated to the memory of Joseph Neudert, a well-known lay reader at Grace Church in Menominee whose wife, Helen, served as secretary for the Bishop for many years.

Timber Homes of Escanaba built the structure. Today it is used for instruction, arts and crafts, night-time activities and canteen. The benches in the rec building had been in the chapel basement, where dances were held until the new building was completed.

Over the years, at Senior High Camp, this field has hosted the annual staff vs. campers softball game. In his day, Bishop Page himself used to pitch and was the umpire wearing his baseball cap, t-shirt, and very used penny loafers.

There has always been a waterfront for daily swimming and some boating. In recent years, a new dock has been built with donations with deck from the Church of the Ascension in Ontonagon in memory of Evelyn Salter.

New Dock in memory of Evelyn Salter