Historical Past
Bay
View was founded in 1875 by Michigan Methodists as a camp meeting "for
intellectual and scientific culture and the promotion of the cause of
religion and morality." At its organizational meeting, officers were
elected and Articles of Association were adopted under a general law of
the State of Michigan. The pastor of the Methodist Church in Petoskey
served as the first liaison agent for the committee.
Although
conceived by Methodist clergy and laity, promoted by the joint Michigan
Methodist conferences, and often sustained at critical moments by
Methodist congregations, Bay View has been ecumenical in management and
life. From its beginning, we have welcomed persons of any
denominational affiliation who have a desire to assist in perpetuating
the Association's principles and purpose.
Begun as a retreat for
revival meetings and spiritual refreshment, within the first decade,
Bay View expressed its "Methodist concern" for intellectual
enlightenment and cultural growth. As a result, by the late 1880's the
Bay View Assembly became a pioneering institution in public education
with an ambitious summer university, a Chautauqua series attracting
tens of thousands of visitors, and a homestudy program enrolling men
and women across the nation. During the same period, the raw territory,
where the early "tent city" was built, was transformed into a resort
community of such Victorian charm that it has been designated as a
National Historic Landmark.
Throughout its history, Bay View has
consistently retained and continued to follow closely the principles of
spiritual growth and cultural advancement initiated and steadfastly
practiced by its Methodist founders.
Current Relationship – The Bay View Assembly Program
The
relationship to the church can also be seen in the programs of the
Association. Among the committees specified in the By-Laws is a
Committee on Worship. This committee arranges for Sunday morning
services of worship during the Summer Assembly, which includes:
bringing outstanding preachers from different denominations to the
memorial pulpit in John M. Hall Auditorium; weekly celebrations of the
sacrament of Holy Communion in Crouse Memorial Chapel; a Sunday School
Program for adults, and the weekday "Religion and Life Forum", which
offers adults opportunity for challenging presentations and serious
study of the Bible, theology, philosophy, and current issues. It also
supervises the work of the youth minister.
Bay View Association
and The United Methodist Church share the mutual and complementary
objective of serving people through Christian ministry. As such, Bay
View is proud to be a truly "church related" institution.
For more information on The United Methodist Church, visit http://www.umc.org.
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