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Ehlers family at the West River dedication
(Photo: Amy Marshall)

BY LINDA WORTHINGTON
UMCONNECTION STAFF

WEST RIVER – It’s been 25 years since the Rev. Thomas B. Ehlers died after serving in the conference for 38 years. But his imprint and legacy are still very much evident.

Ehlers was a key founder, trustee and the first camp manager for what became the West River United Methodist Center.

Family and friends gathered Oct. 10 for a dedication service for the newly renovated Memorial Hall named in his honor.

Ehlers, at the direction of Washington East District Superintendent Phillip Edwards, called together a committee “to explore the possibility of obtaining beach property for the purpose of developing a summer program for our children,” historical documents say. They met at Galesville UMC July 5, 1951.

The property they decided to purchase was known as Kamp Kahlert and owned by the YWCA of Washington, D.C. The 45 acres of land with nearly a mile of waterfront and a number of cabins and other buildings was purchased for $60,000.

The Rev. Evan Young, assistant to the bishop, gave the official dedication address.

Among the 55 guests attending the celebration were 20 family members, including Ehler’s two daughters, Lois Bird and Sally Joseph. They shared stories and memories of the 10 years Ehlers was manager of the Methodist Church Camp, as it was called then, from its opening in the summer of 1952.

During those 10 years, Ehlers planned and supervised the construction of the dining hall, which now as a place to hold conferences, seminars and meetings, bears his name. He was also instrumental in the building of the Fellowship Hall, which today is incorporated into the Retreat Center.

Sharing a memory of more recent times, the Rev. Mary Dennis, who read the “declaration of purpose,” during the service, recalled that the Board of Ordained Ministry met there when she was up for candidacy for ordination. She found the space set aside in the dining hall with its vista over the green lawns and peaceful waters of the river to be a place of refuge as she went through the arduous process.

Ehlers was known for his charismatic way, said his daughters, and would recruit volunteers whenever he had a conversation with someone. As a result, many clergy and lay people served as counselors, provided maintenance, and were inspired to direct camps.

Many current-day volunteers were recognized for the efforts they made to renovate and remodel the old dining hall into the Ehlers Memorial Hall gathering place, including Annapolis District United Methodist Men, Baltimore-Washington Conference staff, many individual churches that had volunteer work days or weekends, and individuals.

Some shared memories of his dedication and persistence in ending segregation in the Methodist Church. One place he did this effectively was as pastor at the then all-while Brightwood UMC in Washington, D.C., which he served at the same time he managed the Methodist Camp. He was able to integrate the congregation and begin the multi-cultural church Brightwood is today.

Ehlers was an energetic and enthusiastic participant in every aspect of the lives of the churches and communities in which he served, a family member said. Among these were as chaplain at the Cheltenham Home for Boys, and with Neighbors, Inc., an organization to foster and maintain integrated neighborhoods in Washington. He died in 1985.

His greatest legacy is the West River Camp of the then Baltimore Conference, now the West River United Methodist Center, which would probably not exist today except for his foresight and determination.