Adapting But Not Changing: HCBC at 85
34 years ago, with two sons in college and a 9-year-old daughter, Eliot and Brenda Sohmer made their first trip to HCBC.
They had a room on the third floor of the Victorian Hotel. No AC at the time, and a bathroom down the hall, but they kept coming back! Eliot remembers seeing Bayview Lodge go up and claiming room 105 for the next three decades.
What hasn’t changed over the years? Speakers with a solid focus on the gospel. Eliot credits Executive Director Jon Oldham’s humility in leading HCBC to be the place it is today.
What has drawn Becca Bageant, her husband Shane, and now five children back to HCBC?
The people they’ve come to know. “HCBC is a safe place for our children to roam with their ‘summer friends.’”
Becca commented that one change they welcomed was breakfast devotionals that give them more family time. Did they migrate to Bayview? Nope! Still in the old Hotel, but now with AC and towels provided!
Tim and Jean Hatch have attended Family Weeks for 16 years. They have also enjoyed 12 Couples Weekends. Some changes they’ve seen are the refurbished and repurposed spaces such as the “old gym” (now The Cedars and The Avenue since 2016). Accommodating teens in the summer and church groups throughout the year is an obvious priority. Maintaining all the structures is a challenge that HCBC takes seriously. Watching Jon Oldham grow into his role as Executive Director, both in his management responsibilities as well as spiritually, has been a blessing. Good coffee is also a welcome change!
What has not changed is a focus on fiscal responsibility—never going into debt for a new project, trusting God to do what needs to be done, and not moving forward without His blessing has set an example for families and other organizations. Great teaching and keeping focused on worship, with music led by Dianne, has seen God’s blessing. Crossing the bridge and turning the corner onto Camden Ave., seeing Harvey Cedars, and anticipating special times of worship and fellowship will never change!
In 1968, Ben and Fran MacFarlane made their first trip to Harvey Cedars with three-year-old Heather. They had been told about HCBC by friends from New York, Hal and Joyce Anderson. Heather and the Andersons’ youngest daughter, Betsy, spotted each other and ran into each other’s arms! Years of reuniting every summer followed. Heather remembers being in the nursery, a room now decorated in memory of Fran. Ben continued to attend faithfully every summer until his passing in 2023.
Heather commented that every improvement over the years—new buildings, recreation areas, staff housing—has been done for a reason. Jon Oldham’s relationship with Borough officials has smoothed the permit process and benefitted the conference.
There is a bench down at the edge of the bay where Heather, since she was a young girl, has made her major life decisions. God has met her there. Now Heather and Paul are accompanied by three adult children, two in-laws and a new granddaughter. They come for the same reasons as always: to be filled by the Spirit and reunite with longtime friends. 50 years of blessing and 58 years of gratitude for Harvey Cedars.