St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center
Encyclopedia
The St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center is a 191 acres (77.3 ha) camp
run by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston
and located in Contoocook
, a village of Hopkinton, New Hampshire
.
in late 2002.
Besides being the home of the Metropolis's summer and winter camps, the Camp and Retreat Center also allows Orthodox parishes to hold weekend retreats for youth and families and each September, the Metropolis sponsors an open house
which coincides with the celebration of the Feast of the Cross
when the blessing of the waters service takes place. During this service Metropolitan Methodios throws the cross into the lake and campers dive to retrieve it. Also holding programs at the camp are Hellenic College-Holy Cross, the Orthodox Church in America
, the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese and the Armenian Apostolic Church
, while the Roman Catholic Church
, the United Church of Christ
, and the New Hampshire Council of Churches have used the facility for retreats and gatherings in addition to many community organizations and schools.
property located on the shores of Clement Pond in the village of Contoocook
, was purchased with the help of a $500,000 donation by former pharmaceutical company owner George Behrakis in the summer of 1998.
Regular camp sessions began at the site in 1999, along with an ambitious program to winterize, improve, and expand the campground. As part of this modernization program, new water and waste water systems were designed and installed, the cafeteria was renovated, adding a new kitchen, and the rec hall was remodeled. The former barn was extended and a bell tower added to create a 200-seat chapel and all of the cabins on the eastern side of the camp were rebuilt over a ten-year period.
In 2006, Metropolitan Methodios and the Camp and Retreat Center Committee drafted plans for a new lodge on the shore of Clement Pond which would consist of 30 rooms with private accommodations for families, couples, individuals, clergy and laity. The plan was met with criticism from area property owners who felt that the new building would bring "noise, traffic and lighting [that] will destroy the place they go to get away", but it was ultimately approved by the Hopkinton Zoning Board of Adjustment in 2007. After the New Hampshire Supreme Court
upheld the decision of the Hopkinton Zoning Board, construction began in the summer of 2008.
Summer camp
Summer camp is a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as campers....
run by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston is an ecclesiastical territory or metropolis of the Greek Orthodox Church in the New England region of the United States. It is led by a metropolitan bishop and is part of the Archdiocese of America which itself is under the control of the Ecumenical...
and located in Contoocook
Contoocook, New Hampshire
Contoocook is a village and census-designated place within the town of Hopkinton in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,444 at the 2010 census.-History:...
, a village of Hopkinton, New Hampshire
Hopkinton, New Hampshire
Hopkinton is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,589 at the 2010 census. It consists of three villages: Hopkinton, West Hopkinton, and Contoocook...
.
Programs and uses
The center is home to the Metropolis of Boston Camp, a coed program that holds six one–week summer sessions, two weekend winter sessions, and other programs throughout the year. The camp serves children from the ages of 8–18, and each year attracts approximately 120 campers and 50 staff members, with the capacity of up to 140 campers per week. Formerly known by the name Boston Diocese Camp, the program's name was changed with the diocese's elevation to a metropolisMetropolis (religion)
A metropolis is a see or city whose bishop is the metropolitan of a province. Metropolises, historically, have been important cities in their provinces....
in late 2002.
Besides being the home of the Metropolis's summer and winter camps, the Camp and Retreat Center also allows Orthodox parishes to hold weekend retreats for youth and families and each September, the Metropolis sponsors an open house
Open House
Open House may refer to:*Open house , a common school event held in the United States and Canada*Open House , a 1960 album by jazz organist Jimmy Smith*Open House , a 2004 independent film...
which coincides with the celebration of the Feast of the Cross
Feast of the Cross
In the Christian liturgical calendar, there are several different Feasts of the Cross, all of which commemorate the cross used in the crucifixion of Jesus....
when the blessing of the waters service takes place. During this service Metropolitan Methodios throws the cross into the lake and campers dive to retrieve it. Also holding programs at the camp are Hellenic College-Holy Cross, the Orthodox Church in America
Orthodox Church in America
The Orthodox Church in America is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church in North America. Its primate is Metropolitan Jonah , who was elected on November 12, 2008, and was formally installed on December 28, 2008...
, the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese and the Armenian Apostolic Church
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
, while the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, the United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination primarily in the Reformed tradition but also historically influenced by Lutheranism. The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches united in 1957 to form the UCC...
, and the New Hampshire Council of Churches have used the facility for retreats and gatherings in addition to many community organizations and schools.
History
After years of using other area camp grounds around New England to support the growing community, the Metropolis decided to buy its own campground. The former 191 acres (77.3 ha) Camp MerrimacCamp Merrimac
Camp Merrimac was a mostly Jewish boys and later coed camp located in Contoocook, New Hampshire in the United States.In 1919, the patriarchs of the Clough family, Joseph and Sylvia Clough, died. That year the property known as "Cloughville" -- it had been a small town in the 19th century—was sold...
property located on the shores of Clement Pond in the village of Contoocook
Contoocook, New Hampshire
Contoocook is a village and census-designated place within the town of Hopkinton in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,444 at the 2010 census.-History:...
, was purchased with the help of a $500,000 donation by former pharmaceutical company owner George Behrakis in the summer of 1998.
Regular camp sessions began at the site in 1999, along with an ambitious program to winterize, improve, and expand the campground. As part of this modernization program, new water and waste water systems were designed and installed, the cafeteria was renovated, adding a new kitchen, and the rec hall was remodeled. The former barn was extended and a bell tower added to create a 200-seat chapel and all of the cabins on the eastern side of the camp were rebuilt over a ten-year period.
In 2006, Metropolitan Methodios and the Camp and Retreat Center Committee drafted plans for a new lodge on the shore of Clement Pond which would consist of 30 rooms with private accommodations for families, couples, individuals, clergy and laity. The plan was met with criticism from area property owners who felt that the new building would bring "noise, traffic and lighting [that] will destroy the place they go to get away", but it was ultimately approved by the Hopkinton Zoning Board of Adjustment in 2007. After the New Hampshire Supreme Court
New Hampshire Supreme Court
The New Hampshire Supreme Court is the supreme court of the U. S. state of New Hampshire and sole appellate court of the state. The Supreme Court is seated in the state capital, Concord. The Court is composed of a Chief Justice and four Associate Justices appointed by the Governor and Executive...
upheld the decision of the Hopkinton Zoning Board, construction began in the summer of 2008.