Hills of Peace was established in 1956 by Community of Christ, a worldwide Christian denomination with a presence in more than 60 nations. Camping has always held a sacred place in our story. From the old-time revivals on the frontier to the peaceful gatherings we know today, the rhythm of stepping away from everyday life to connect with God and one another is deeply rooted in who we are.
Every summer, members and friends of Community of Christ across Canada travel, sometimes for five hours or more – to one of six beloved campgrounds, including this one. They come for Junior Camps, Youth Camps, and Family Camps (what many lovingly call Reunion).
But it doesn’t stop there. Throughout the year, folks also travel to Hills of Peace for Nurturing Spirit Retreats, Men’s and Women’s Retreats, Youth events, and Young Adult weekends.
Before the gravel roads. Before the bunkhouses and campfire songs. Before the dining hall bustled with laughter and second helpings of Red River Cereal…there was a dream. A longing, really. For a place to gather. A place to breathe deeply. A place to grow faith and friendships under open skies.
In the summer of 1956, during District Conference and Reunion at Sylvan Lake, Will McLeod mentioned a parcel of land he had heard about. It was a quarter section beside a quiet, spring-fed lake. There were trees for shade, sandy soil that didn’t turn to mud, and a sense that it could become something special.
Jean Walrath of Edmonton remembered what happened next: “Six people went immediately to investigate. They were Alvin Walrath, Dave Larmour, Will McLeod, Norman Olson, Vida Diaper, and Cecil Diaper. A most favourable report was brought back.”
Later that same week, during a follow-up meeting, the community voted to purchase the land. The decision was unanimous. They also asked Alvin Walrath to take the lead in developing and building the camp. A collection was taken the next day, raising $600 on the spot - the equivalent of nearly $7,000 today.
As Ethel Hayden of Calgary recalled, “The land was bought in 1956 and work parties soon began. Many weekends and some holidays were spent travelling on muddy roads and later gravel to start developing the grounds.” According to purchase documents from the time, the land was bought for $856. It was a bold and hopeful act of generosity.
Hills of Peace began with a dream, a vote, and $856. What it’s become - and what it means to countless people - is immeasurable.
Today, Hills of Peace continues to offer sanctuary to all who come, whether it’s for a weekend retreat, a week-long youth camp, or an afternoon by the lake. It’s a place where friendships form, where people meet God in new ways, and where generations come back year after year to feel the peace that lives here.
The land still offers its quiet welcome. The trees still hold stories. And the same spirit that brought those early visionaries together continues to shape every meal shared, every song sung, and every sacred moment on these grounds.
