“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you seen the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV).
Since 1978, White Sulphur Springs has been a place for Christians to meet together, to be blessed and refreshed…and to “stir one another up to love and good works.” We have been blessed this past year with the completion of a $5.85M project that provided for the modernization of Harrison House, as well as the provision of a bathhouse at Camp Caleb and a new storage facility (that will eventually become a centralized maintenance facility).
Fundraising Progress as of July 12, 2022 ($5,391,000 has been donated or pledged so far!):
The OCF community has responded to this opportunity with great generosity to make this project successful. We hope you’ll come out to WSS to see it for yourself—while the Harrison House feels “fresh” and “new” in many ways because of the modern conveniences and upgrades that have been added (air conditioning, fresh paint and flooring, new lighting, etc.), it has retained it’s historic charm and still feels like our beloved “old hotel”…so all of you with great memories of times spent in Harrison need not fear, it will feel like coming home when you are able to visit!
WSS faces a number of pressing facilities needs right now, so we are seeking donors to continue to give to this effort to help us meet these needs. Specifically now, if you continue to give to the “Sustain and Expand Ministry” effort at WSS, your gifts will help WSS with the design, implementation and construction of a new water system to bring WSS back into compliance with Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection.
WSS learned this past year that our water system is no longer within compliance with PA DEP code, because the various wells on property serving our staff residences were not permitted and regulated. DEP views all wells on property as a single “system” since OCF is the single legal owner. We’ve determined that the most cost effective way to bring our water system into compliance is to have a single well from which we can distribute water to all locations on property. This is obviously a major construction project, involving the construction of a new well and the necessary distribution system put into place to get water to all locations on property.
This project is estimated at this time to cost $850,000. Amazingly, the Lord has provided a gift of $700,000 for this need, so our fundraising need is estimated to be $150,000.
Would you prayerfully consider giving to the “Sustain and Expand Ministry” effort at WSS to meet this need?
This wonderful opportunity to sustain and expand comes on the heels of a month of winter 2022 operations that reflects the continuing growth of this ministry to the military community:
- Equipping current and potential local leaders during the annual OCF Local Leader Conference, now available virtually so leaders can attend from wherever they serve
- Providing 115 cadets and midshipmen from along the East Coast a chance to fellowship together at the annual Eastern ROTC Retreat
- Building up 140 Marines and family members at the annual Crossroads of the Marine Corps (Quantico)/National Capital Region Retreat
- Strengthening military marriages and families for 114 guests at the annual Valentine’s Getaway, while simultaneously providing time away for a U.S. Naval Academy Retreat of 35 midshipmen
During two of the four weekends above, guest turnout exceeded the lodging available at Heritage House, and dozens of guests would have been turned away for lack of space were it not for the additional capacity Harrison House provides.
While Harrison House is certainly the solution to lodging guests who surpass Heritage House’s capacity, its aging systems require a fundamental reset. Such home improvements include:
- Rewiring electric systems
- Upgrading and expanding fire alarm and sprinkler systems
- Installing modern heating and air conditioning systems
- Adding new plumbing lines
- Bringing wall insulation up to current code requirements
- Improving drainage
- Repaving the road in front of the hotel
- Expanding the dining room
- Improving accessibility through ADA-compliant guest rooms, public bathrooms, and an elevator
- Creating designated housing for interns and fellows of our EXSEL Discipleship Program
- Constructing an apartment for full-time staff
Setting aside the time and resources to address these many projects within Harrison House comprehensively will ensure the facility is able to meet WSS’ ministry needs for decades to come. Additionally, all renovations to Harrison House will honor and preserve this unique hotel’s classic charm and stately appearance so that it can host greater numbers of guests safely and provide additional staff housing for decades to come.
As Harrison House undergoes renovations for at least the next 13 months, the furniture and décor of the old Victorian inn will find a temporary home in a new facility, which will later serve as a centralized hub for maintenance operations. Similarly, a new bathhouse at Camp Caleb Basecamp will enhance housing for some of our young Summer Staffers while Harrison House, the typical Summer Staff home, is unavailable during the summer of 2022.
