Cooperstown Bible Camp, North Dakota

We are currently at Cooperstown Bible Camp, an RVICS project. This camp was originally founded because of a burden the Saron Evangelical Free Church and its pastor, the Rev. Ludvig R. Lunde, had for sharing the good news of the Gospel with others whom the church members were not reaching through their church services. Having experienced the saving power of the Gospel in their midst, the members wanted to share it with others around them.

The Saron Church had its beginning on March 7, 1895 when the need for a church home for their growing families was realized. The name chosen was Sarons Frimenighed, which was later changed to Saron Evangelical Free Church. Twenty-two members were received into this fellowship.

Rev. Lunde purchased a truck and had a body built suitable to carry and seat several people and a small organ. One side of the truck could be folded out and used as a platform, from which services were conducted in neighboring towns and farmsteads.

This venture led Pastor Lunde and the people to see the need for providing further Bible study, in order that people might be rooted and grounded in the Word. In a subsequent trade, Rev. Lunde acquired a large tent, in which to hold public services. A small tract of land, used at that time for a picnic area by local groups, was purchased and became the present Bible camp property. In the spring of 1925, the planks from the local lumber yard were used for seats. Gasoline lanterns hung from the center tent-supporting poles. A smaller tent was erected where ice cream and pop were sold. With these preparations, the first Cooperstown Bible Camp service was held on June 21, 1925.

A total of 37 Evangelical Free churches form the foundation of the association and actively supply the members to serve on the camp board. The pastors of these churches are actively involved in the camp program and growth.

For the next 3 weeks, we are working with Adam Glombowski, Executive Director and Alicia Glombowski, C3 Store and Office Manager of Cooperstown Bible Camp until June 24. Karen and I are the only RVICS team members on campus. Monday, June 9 is our first day of scheduled work and we are going to be constructing 36 upper bunk bed side rails required by the camp's insurance carrier. Adam has all the raw materials available on site so come Monday morning we will start the project.

This camp is located southeast of Cooperstown, a city in Griggs County, North Dakota. It is the county seat of Griggs County. The population was 983 at the 2020 census. Cooperstown was founded in 1882. The city is named for R. C. Cooper, a bonanza farmer who built the first wood-frame house in the area in 1880. Prior to Cooper's arrival, most settlers or the era lived in sod houses, covered wagons, tents, or log cabins (especially near the Sheyenne River where trees were numerous). Cooperstown was laid out on October 26, 1882, soon before the railroad was extended to that point.