Camp Mozumdar Revived in Rededication Ceremony
High atop the San Bernardino Mountains in Southern California, Camp Mozumdar, marked by its gold-spired temple, is a unique and awe-inspiring place. Built in the 1920s by Prince A.K. Mozumdar, one of the first Indian spiritual teachers in the United States and a man who promoted unity and harmony among all religions, the temple still draws curious visitors and lately has undergone a sort of renaissance and revival leading up to its public rededication ceremony this past weekend.
Over 200 people attended the Camp Mozumdar Rededication Ceremony and Sunday Service on Sunday, November 8, 2015. Pastor George Kazakos of the Los Angeles Family Church gave a rousing welcome, sharing a brief background of the property and introducing historians and special guests who would speak that day.
“This is a spiritual kickoff to make this a place for God,” he said, explaining the significance of this day. He also explained the significance of True Children’s Day, an upcoming Holy Day which this morning service celebrated a few days early.
Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, Continental Chair of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) North America, took the podium and described the investment he has seen going into Camp Mozumdar over the last few years.
“Everyone who comes here says they have new life after they visit,” he shared. He then proceeded to give a sermon about True Children’s Day, using the vision of Camp Mozumdar as an example of the importance of creating a good, healthy environment in which to raise children. “Did God create human beings first or nature first?” he asked. “Nature first. Why? We are celebrating the 56th anniversary of True Children’s Day, but True Parents established, after Parents’ Day, not Children’s Day, but the Day of All Things. We need a great environment before we give birth to our children. This is God’s principle of creation.”
After Dr. Kim’s message, a dedication ceremony kicked off the new vision for Camp Mozumdar as a place where people can gather, study the Divine Principle and hold community events.
Representing the donors and all the neighboring families who have contributed to Camp Mozumdar’s revival, the man who conceived the idea for a rededication ceremony—Hugh Campbell—spoke about the spiritual significance of dedicating a place to God.
“You need people who are willing to put their spirits into this place so that it has meaning,” he said. “Everybody that’s here is invested in this place.”
A few others took the stage to share their experiences at Camp Mozumdar, from those who were dedicated to Mozumdar’s cause, to those who have lived nearby for decades and those who work every day to maintain the site. These included Andrew Smith; David Howard, President of the Universal Message, a group from Oregon started by A.K. Mozumdar; Juan Morales, renovation director of the camp; Gene Barnhurst; Neil and Diane Nottingham, Assistant Directors of Public Affairs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; Mike Kim; David Jung; and Jason Park. Also present were historians and researchers of Mozumdar and Christina Solstad, the granddaughter of William Lodge, the site’s architect.
After a prayer offered by Pastor Kazakos, the dedication ceremony concluded and the grounds were open for all to explore. With a local Unificationist band playing songs in the background, the energy was high as children played volleyball, guests enjoyed a barbecue lunch and Unificationists, families and the many stakeholders who donated money or time to the camp’s renovations enjoyed a day touring the grounds.
Camp Mozumdar is a place that is open to people of all faiths to come and experience God. Include this place in your travel plans and stay tuned for upcoming events taking place in this beautiful spiritual haven.
Manoj Jacob
| #
Great!!! This holy place will be a spritual birth place of thousands of people!!!
Reply
Scott Dolfay
| #
I’ve only seen Mozundar through the internet. It’s great to see the condition of such a wonderful unique place. Of course several great properties were purchased during that time that we have either sold our struggle to maintain.
In Seattle a mansion was purchased in 1974 by Rev. Reiner Vincenz (Lochkelden .org). It turned out to be Seattle’s’ most significant historical house. Owning it has placed us squarely in Seattle’s history. Of over 200 buildings here with landmark status there are only 2 that fulfill all 6 qualifications for status (it requires only one). The Space Needle and the nearby Science Center do. Our building in all likelihood would only be the 3rd. The law is such that status can be forced on the owner (except for churches).
We have invested something like $1.5 million in restoration since purchase. There may be significant repair grants if listed. We are in the early stages of deciding just what to do; status quo, landmark, sell.
Whether or not we maintain ownership or decide to sell, it is my hope that the roll that our church/movement has played in the purchase and subsequent preservation of such a house at a time of incomprehensible persecution should be a source of pride to Unificationists everywhere. If we hadn’t bought it, it may only be known through pictures.
Reply
Patrizia olivero
| #
Thank you so much ! I have great memories of my first time with TParents there !
Happy to see it this way now !
God will surely bring a lot of blessings !
Patrizia
Reply
Alvaro Nazario
| #
Thank you so much, Rev. Juan and all the brothers and sisiters who effort to save the camp.
Reply
Christel Werner
| #
I’m deeply touched by your great efforts to restore this precious “Spiritual Haven” and by the re-dedication ceremony of Camp Mozumdar. When we, my husband Rev. Paul Werner and myself, together with our German IOWC Team No. I, bought Camp Mozumdar in 1975 for our workshops in the L.A. area, it was a very spiritual experience for us. After a lot of investment and restoration work, done by our members, our buses with new contacts to attend our workshops were constantly going from L. A. to the San Bernardino Mountains. Hundreds of new members joined at that time, calling Camp Mozumdar their spiritual birthplace. True Parents love this special and precious place very much. When Father visited Camp Mozumdar for the first time in 1975, standing at the Gate House very quietly, overlooking the Valley below, He said to Paul: “Buy the whole Mountain”. Yet shortly thereafter we had to return to our mission in Germany, but Camp Mozumdar as well as the Pasadena Mansion, named “West Garden” by our True Father, are still very dear to our hearts. May they continue to be of great service to the mission in Southern California. I’m sure, Paul is so happy in Spirit World about your tireless efforts in restoring Camp Mozumdar, which will be a great blessing for many, many people to come. We are deeply grateful for your tireless investments and sacrifices to make this re-dedication possible.
Christel Werner
Reply
David Rosenblum
| #
Thank you so much, Juan and other Unification brothers and sisters, for having devoted so much heart and time into making this official rededication of Camp Mazumdar possible. We can only imagine to incredible experiences behind this sacrifice and labor of love.
Reply
ELDRIDGE WILTZ
| #
PASTOR GEORGE,I WAS BORN THERE THANK YOU DAVID SP.B 8-15-1975 IS MINE
Reply
Arnold Evanson
| #
God is happy :-)
Reply
Eberly Silvia
| #
Yes, Camp Mozumdar I was there with Rev. Paul Werner, when we first bought it. Die Lodge, the temple, we talked to people in Hollywood, and shared workshops with them… 500 in May 1975 came and listend…. I played music there, accordion watched deer, snakes and other creatures cooked food in the kitchen…I am so happy to see such a wonderful place revived.
Reply
Chris Fox
| #
At least Rev Juan Morales was mentioned. Another article needs to follow with recognition to this brother’s tremendous effort and sacrifice to save the camp. Marquis Vandemark of Columbus Ohio who is on the restoration committee should be interviewed for a full understanding.
Reply