Camp Being Restored in Honor of True Father’s Legacy of World Peace
A magical place can be found nestled among the San Bernardino Mountains of California. As it is secluded amid a vast acreage of forest, most people certainly would miss it. “Driving around looking across the treetops, I saw what looked like a gold dome,” said Mike, a California sketch artist in search of adventure. “Like a glimpse of the Taj Mahal — it was tantalizing, but I couldn’t find access.”
Camp Mozumdar is the place of which he speaks, long forgotten and decades old. It was built in the 1920s and ’30s by Indian prophet Akhoy Kumar Mozumdar to be a place where all religious denominations could worship in their respective faiths under universal love, tolerance, harmony, devotion and peace. Currently owned and maintained by the Unification Church, the camp continues its spiritual foundation nearly a century later.
With picturesque grounds overlooking Silverwood Lake and beyond to Death Valley, the campsite features a stately amphitheater aptly called the Pillars of God. “There are twelve granite pillars representing Jesus’ disciples circling out from a cross in the center,” said Mike, in awe on a guided tour.
More notable, though, is the Temple of Christ, with exquisite Indian architectural detailing and a gleaming gold dome. “The temple reveals itself in pretty spectacular fashion,” he declared. “And it looked bigger and in better shape than I’d imagined. It’s really surreal in this setting.”
The camp’s history may be the only thing more peculiar and fascinating than its location. “Mozumdar came from India to America looking to know Christ,” revealed Unificationist Mrs. Christel Werner, whose late husband, Rev. Paul Werner, was an early Unificationist. “He and his congregation built the temple, the amphitheater and the various lodges, yet he died before meeting Christ, and his followers sold the property to us. It was a very spiritual experience.”
Though Mozumdar’s spiritual quest led him to establish a U.S. ministry, lecturing on what he called “Universal Truth,” as time passed he eventually sold his beloved mountaintop property to the YMCA with hopes that it would be transformed into a children’s rehabilitation center. It served instead as a children’s camp for several years, with the codicil that if the property was sold again it must be to a group with the same vision and purpose as Mozumdar — to unite all religions together.
“True Father was very enthusiastic about Camp Mozumdar and told my husband, Rev. Paul Werner, to buy the whole mountain,” Mrs. Werner recounted. In 1974, the camp was officially purchased by the Unification Church. “True Father visited the camp many times and made a Holy Ground. True Father had a clear vision and instructed to build a Pacific Rim University and training center to teach the world about the coming Lord and educate young people in the ways of truth and of love.”
Camp Mozumdar is not only a breathtaking landmark but also the spiritual birthplace of many early Unificationists who pioneered the American Unification Movement. Now, True Father’s vision of spiritual education for future generations is coming forth. The camp is being restored with the help of Unificationists Rev. Juan Morales and Mark Alexander, in addition to volunteers from among the neighbors of the campgrounds and from the nearby town of Crestline, California.
“Since Rev. Morales’ residency here at the camp, the place has vastly improved,” discloses an official camp report. “The major roads have been widened across the property. The water system has also been updated and improved. The temple has been properly maintained and is being restored.”
Federal funding is also flowing in with various grants as well as major donations. The building materials for the first structure already have been delivered to the campgrounds, with the goal of hosting One Heart Camp, the Bay Area’s ever-popular summer retreat for young Unificationists, at the site. The report further states: “We choose to build a structure together in the hopes of reaching other parents who truly care about our children’s future. Most of all, we simply want to give our brothers and sisters a hope that we build a sanctuary for our children where their children can someday visit and be with nature and God. We want to build this together as parents and have confidence to achieve much greater things in our lifetime.”
With such a spiritual vision and historical foundation in place, True Father’s legacy of peace and his quest for Tribal Messiahship is emerging through Camp Mozumdar, by way of “small and humble, historical steps.” As the camp unites neighbors and communities centering on God, and becomes a home of worship for the entire Unification family, “Humankind shall visit this Holy Ground and learn the tradition and follow the providence with One Heart. We believe that we will be at a step closer to unity if we build these infrastructures together hand in hand for the next generations.”
Lodging and an education center are in early development as campsite planning unfolds. Still, even though Akhoy Kumar Mozumdar never had the chance to meet True Parents, he laid a noble foundation for the providence with Camp Mozumdar, helping to realize True Father’s legacy of world unity and peace.
Be a part of the legacy and visit Camp Mozumdar or make a donation toward camp restoration projects. For the latest news from Camp Mozumdar, visit the Facebook page.
Steve Vanier
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In 1958, at age 11, I spent two weeks at YMCA camp here. Sleeping in wood-sided and canvas covered “tents” in groups of 4. Nightly campfires and sing-alongs where someone in the woods mournfully called “Epsi-coli-mishee-walkee” (who knows what that means?) in the dark, away from the campfire, and we as a group repeated the mournful phrase. Days spent hiking down to the river, swimming in the swimming hole, playing caroms, fashioning lanyards, target practice with .22 rifles, carefully controlled and safety first, and earned a marksmanship badge. “Bug juice” (Kool-Aid, I think) for lunch and dinner. Great memories.
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William Miller
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Was viewing an Indian (india) movie and one of the characters was named Mazumdar so the Google look up. Turns out Mozumdar was a YMCA camp where I got to work as kitchen help every summer from 1954 thru 1957 (4yrs). Nifty to have been reminded of a wonderful time in my life.
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Jorge pichardo
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I was here in 1976 and it’s still so beautiful!! You can breath Gods eternal presence everywhere you go!!!
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Jon Brooker
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Also my spiritual birthplace on Easter Sunday 1976 and later a place where I taught for nearly three years as the 7 day lecturer. What a wonderful taste of heaven that was with all those brothers and sisters transforming before our eyes.
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Bruce E. Smith
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Both John and I attended the same workshop at Camp Mazumdar. William was my first team Captain for MFT. Fond memories of spiritual growth and development came from those mountain tops. I am glad that Reverend Morales is resurrecting the spiritual legacy of that Holy place.
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John McKewen
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I too learned of the arrival of True Parents and was reborn through Camp Mozumdar June 17, 1977. I remember having a ‘spiritual experience’ praying at these rocks one evening that told me God was guiding me! Thanks for restoring this wonderful haven of heavenly memories!
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k
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true parents? :)
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Lloyd Howell
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SO nice to hear the camp has not fallen into a black hole! I was there in 1983/’84 when the CARP program under Tiger Park held many activities there and was director of the 21 day lecture program for a short period of time.
Juan – remember me? – it is great to hear that you are among those doing much for this place.
If I get around to visiting southern California a stop there will certainly be part of my agenda.
best wishes and thanks to all, Lloyd Howell, Long Island, NY
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Ashley Crosthwaite
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1979, 81 -83 I had the honour to teach Divine Principle workshops at this sacred place. I have so many vivid memories of God’s spirit working there, and the awesome and also fun-filled interaction with nature. Wonderful to see it being taken care of well and being restored and used for the next generation. Thankyou!
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Sallyann Goodall
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I taught DP at Camp Mozumdar 1974-5, and am thrilled to hear about the new investment! Congratulations Rev Morales.
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Jim Stinard
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This is a very hopeful and encouraging report. It’s nice that many people and organizations are investing time , materials and money in restoring and maintaining Camp Mozumdar.
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william repke
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Camp Mozumdar is my spiritual birthplace. On July 18th, 1976 I was reborn upon learning the Lord had returned. Many fond memories. Thanks to those restoring this wonderful place. And thanks to my old friend Juan Morales.
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