Last updated: August 18, 2023
Place
Covenant Beach Bible Camp
Photograph by Carmen Scott, courtesy of the Washington State Historic Preservation Office
Quick Facts
Location:
Cliff Ave. and 220th St., Des Moines, Washington
Significance:
Entertainment/Recreation, European
Designation:
Listed in the National Register - Reference number 05000313
MANAGED BY:
Covenant Beach Bible Camp in Des Moines, Washington was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. The camp is significant for its role as an important regional recreational park and camp that reflects the development of the city of Des Moines.
Beginning in the 1910s, as Des Moines's sawmill industry faltered due to overlogging, the recreation and tourism industry became more prominent. With the advent of the automobile in the 1910s and 20s, more families had access to remote outdoor recreation sites, including ones in the Des Moines area. Many local churches, who were facing decreased youth attendance in the 1930s and 40s, reacted to the new popularity of these family nature trips by establishing camps of their own. In 1931, the North Pacific Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church of America established the Covenant Beach Bible Camp on the shores of Puget Sound in Des Moines.
In addition to reinforcing their faith community, the founders of the camp also hoped that the communal camp environment would strengthen the churchgoers' Swedish roots and heritage. The North Pacific Conference built communal facility buildings and cabins, and rented lots to congregation members who wished to build their own cottages as summer homes. Many of the buildings featured Swedish design characteristics that reflected the cultural heritage of the campers.
The Covenant Church sold the property to the City of Des Moines in 1986. While many of the private cottages have been removed or demolished, the communal buildings remain and serve as an event center.
Beginning in the 1910s, as Des Moines's sawmill industry faltered due to overlogging, the recreation and tourism industry became more prominent. With the advent of the automobile in the 1910s and 20s, more families had access to remote outdoor recreation sites, including ones in the Des Moines area. Many local churches, who were facing decreased youth attendance in the 1930s and 40s, reacted to the new popularity of these family nature trips by establishing camps of their own. In 1931, the North Pacific Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church of America established the Covenant Beach Bible Camp on the shores of Puget Sound in Des Moines.
In addition to reinforcing their faith community, the founders of the camp also hoped that the communal camp environment would strengthen the churchgoers' Swedish roots and heritage. The North Pacific Conference built communal facility buildings and cabins, and rented lots to congregation members who wished to build their own cottages as summer homes. Many of the buildings featured Swedish design characteristics that reflected the cultural heritage of the campers.
The Covenant Church sold the property to the City of Des Moines in 1986. While many of the private cottages have been removed or demolished, the communal buildings remain and serve as an event center.