News

Press Release:  September 26th, 2007

Announcing a New Era for the Page Center

For some, transforming a sixty-year-old seasonal church camp into a retreat center and meeting place for people of all communities would be a leap of faith. For all of those who have been brought together by this transformation effort, they have given life to a shared vision. That dream was to create a place for people of all communities to gather, retreat, learn and renew. Their collective dream is now becoming true.

In celebration of the New Era of the Page Center on Little Lake, an Open House will be held on Sunday, October 21 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. It is an opportunity for the community to experience the tranquility of this beautiful property.

In the early 1940’s Episcopal Bishop Herman Page Jr. had a vision to create a gathering place for members of his congregations. It would be a place for youth education in a camp setting, renewal and reflection for adults. The Page Conference Center was created on Little Lake and evolved over time.

Over six decades later, the late Episcopal Bishop Jim Kelsey had a vision to transform and grow the Page Center. He served as president of a new non-profit corporation which now owns and manages the property. The new Board of Trustees has opened the doors and pathways of the Page Center to a broader community; a community that seeks to create its own gathering place while treading lightly on the land.

The Open House will also include a special dedication at 4:00 p.m. of the Kelsey Cottage in honor and memory of Jim Kelsey. The former lodge has been completely remodeled and will serve as the Page Center’s first year-round accessible facility. Completion of the lakeside cottage represents the type of growth at the Page Center he envisioned. In the words of Jim Kelsey, “I hope people feel that the space is “theirs” while they are there. That they are not so much guests or clients, but that they are at home.”

According to Executive Director, Leslie Bek, “the Page Center welcomes worksites, businesses, organizations and agencies for staff development or programming; hobby or sports clubs; small groups; artists and crafters; musicians; families for special events; youth camps; those seeking nature or an outdoor classroom and all those building community around their shared needs and interests.”

Facilities of the Page Center campus include a recreation building, dining hall/kitchen, cabins, bathhouse, chapel, hiking trails, baseball field, volleyball court, fireside area, paddle boat, canoes, fishing boat/motor, sailboats, swimming raft and lakeside docks.

Guests of the Page Center are welcome to bring their own ideas and programming. The Page Center staff experience will also assist by drawing upon the assets and resources in our community and convene them at the Page Center. The Page Center seeks to be a retreat center and meeting place that is accessible to all. Staff will work with you and your budget to create the experience that exceeds your expectations.

The Page Center is located 3 miles east of the M-35/553 intersection. For more information visit www.pagecenter.org

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Celebrating "The New Era of The Page Center"

The “New Era of the Page Center” was celebrated on June 1st marking the official transfer of the Page Center from the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan to the new non-profit Page Center Board of Trustees.

From left: Richard Graybill, Patricia Micklow, Episcopal Diocese Trust Association, Bishop Jim Kelsey, Leslie Bek, Page Center Executive Director, Jacob Silver and Cathy Greer-Cole, Page Center Board of Trustees.