The history of ALOMA really starts over one hundred years ago when a family by the name of Kelly homesteaded a valley high in the Bradshaw Mountains, outside Prescott, Arizona. They had a daughter named Mary Grace Kelly. Mary grew up not only to love the valley and mountains around her, but also to love her Lord, their Creator. Later in her life she decided to set aside part of that valley for the work of the Lord. Her dream was to have a Bible Camp in the valley she loved. That dream started to become a reality when she met Pastor Charles Schmitz of American Ev. Lutheran Church in Phoenix. Shortly after that first meeting American Lutheran decided to purchase twenty-five acres from Mary Grace Kelley with the commitment that it would be used for a Bible camp.
After purchasing the property, however, there were not the funds to start any development. The land stayed unused for many years until Pine Cross Bible Camp Association of which American Lutheran Church was a member decided to run a primitive tent camp for a few weeks one summer and use American Lutheran’s land in Prescott. Large military tents were purchased to provide meeting, sleeping and cooking space, and a Bible Camp was held in Mary Grace Kelly’s valley for the first time.
Even though American Lutheran Church was a member of Pine Cross Bible Camp Association, agreement could not be reached with the member churches of the Association to develop a permanent Bible Camp on the property. A few years later a group from The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, who were looking for a site to build a Bible Camp, heard about American Lutheran’s property. After a meeting of the two church groups a joint project was begun. They were able to enlist 9 additional Lutheran congregations to join them in developing the property into a place for all Arizona Lutheran Churches to use and enjoy.
On May 10, 1973, Arizona Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Association better known as ALOMA was born. It’s assets included 25 acres, three large military tents and ten Lutheran congregations. But that’s not all. Back in a corner of the parking lot of American Lutheran Church in Phoenix was stored what appeared to be a large stack of lumber carefully covered and protected from the weather.
Some five years earlier a member of American Lutheran Church arrived at church one Sunday morning and announced that there was an A-frame building in Tempe that was going to be torn down. It was an old Whataburger restaurant that could be purchased for a mere $1000.00 if it was removed in two weeks, making room for new construction. Before that Sunday morning was over they had raised the money to buy the building which would be erected as the chapel for the property in Prescott. That very Sunday afternoon a crew from the church arrived at the site and began dismantling the building. Down it came, board by board, and was stored in a back corner of their parking lot. But there is one part of the story left to tell. Some fifteen years later I drove by that very site that had to be cleared right away and it was just as they left it with the footings of the old building still there.
So now back to ALOMA’s assets: 25 acres, three large military tents, ten Lutheran congregations and a large stack of lumber. There was something missing: money. You can’t build a camp without it. Pine Cross Bible Camp Association was being discontinued and at their last meeting they had about $14,000.00 in assets which had to be dispersed. They decided to split the money between a group that was building a camp near Crown King and the group building ALOMA. ALOMA decided after a lot of discussion and prayer to use those funds to develop a master plan for the property. They hired a local engineering company to do the job. The company was told it was to be a Bible camp to be used year round and that the chapel was to be in a prominent place. The engineering company did their job and ALOMA had its plan. It included summer and winter lodging, primitive tent and RV camping areas, as well as recreational areas. The Chapel would be cut into a small hill overlooking the entrance.
One of the congregations that was involved with ALOMA was also involved with a mission project in the town of El Mirage west of Phoenix. They got the idea of approaching Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) for a financial grant to start a summer camping program at Camp ALOMA for children from El Mirage. The program was to be called Project Care and not only did AAL agree to fund the project but they also approved a grant of over fifty thousand dollars toward building Camp ALOMA. This started a long, close relationship between ALOMA, (AAL) and also Lutheran Brotherhood (LB), which has continued now for thirty years, helping to make Camp ALOMA a reality.
Over the years the camp facility has taken shape. First kitchen and restroom buildings were built and moved to camp to give ALOMA it’s first permanent buildings to be used with the tents for our first year. Next Grace Chapel and what later would be called Faith Lodge were erected. Faith Lodge had eight dorm rooms, rest rooms, showers and kitchen. It could house ninety-six people. ALOMA hired its first caretaker and he and his wife made a home in two of the dorm-rooms in Faith Lodge. They later were able to move into their new home built across Willow Creek. Next the campfire and barbecue area and an A-frame lodge now known as Hope Lodge were built. Hope Lodge originally slept about twenty people and had its own kitchen. Two member churches built two small rustic cabins. One of the cabins was later expanded into a second residence on the property and is the home of our new program director. The camp also included a softball diamond, volleyball court, basketball court, playground and hiking trails. In recent years Peace Lodge and four wilderness cabins and adjoining ramada have been built. Peace Lodge has a meeting room and two dorm rooms with adjoining restrooms; all fully handicap accessible. The wilderness cabins will be used mostly in our summer programs but can also be used for family camps. Over the years the facility continues to be changed and upgraded as the ministry needs change and grow. Nearly all of this has been accomplished with volunteer labor. Without these dedicated volunteers it could not have been possible.
Buildings alone however do not make a Bible camp. It also takes people and about thirteen years ago a young couple were asked to be co-directors of ALOMA, live at camp and take charge of the full operation of running the camp. It was an excellent decision and choice, as it gave Camp ALOMA a personality dedicated to Christ and service to those He sends to camp. We have been greatly blessed by their ministry. We have seen God’s hand in blessing the ministry of ALOMA over these last thirty years. Not only in serving Lutheran Churches but also to many other Christian Churches and organizations throughout the state, giving thousands the opportunity to know Jesus their Savior. Many volunteers and staff found the opportunities for service with ALOMA a meaningful way to become personally involved in following our Lord’s great commission. Whether serving on the board of directors, working to build or maintain the facility, working with the children, youth and adults who come to camp, every part of the ministry of ALOMA shows Christ’s love and brings us closer to Him. ALOMA’s mission statement Providing Places and Programs Pointing to Christ, keeps reminding us what our purpose really is.
Those of us who have had the privilege of working in this ministry thank God and His Son Jesus for the opportunity to serve and are thankful for the faith of Mary Grace Kelley who started it all.