St. Noel Takes Shape! Part 2

By Pati Egan

Due to generosity of many individuals, Noel was taking shape.

The lower floor would include a kitchen, library, reception area with a fireplace, restroom facilities, a small chapel, and a dining room. The top two floors would have 12 spacious suites. The top floors were completed first.

At the time St. Noel was being constructed, the Camp Offices were located in the Original Administration Building then Fournie Lodge at Camp, as well as the Pastoral Center in Belleville.

When completed, St. Noel would have 12 individual suites. The suites were furnished by “Adoption Teams.” The suites all had a personal touch that highlighted the teams’ tastes.

It was anticipated that Noel would be open for limited programming in Spring of 1991.

Bishop (now Cardinal) Wilton Gregory, then Bishop of the Belleville Diocese said an opening Mass and blessed the Conference Center at the Grand Opening.

The Grand Opening Celebration was held July 5, 1992. The concrete slab that Gene Canavan inherited finally became a reality!

Camp has always had remarkable dreamers. People who can look at a field and see a center for special programs for the “older campers” who wanted a choice in accommodations – from the starlit sky to the units to St. Noel Retreat & Conference Center. Camp has always had people who bought into the dreamers’ ideas and generously gave of their time, talent, and treasure to make dreams become a reality. As Geno has often said “many hands make light work.” With God’s grace, good things happen – St. Noel is a perfect example of this.

The third part of this series will focus on St. Noel’s early programs to how St. Noel is being used today.

Click here to make a reservation in St. Noel.

Click here to learn more about Camp Ondessonk’s history.