From the moment John M. Hall leaned against a tree in the beech grove to listen to the big Sunday morning sermon the summer of 1885, the Michigan Camp Ground Association of the Methodist Church was changed forever. Hall had a vision of something no one else could have ever imagined.

Mary Jane Doerr, "Beneath The Beeches"

The Bay View community has determined that its main assembly venue, John M. Hall Auditorium, is sound structurally but its facilities and equipment are outdated. A new building is not needed; the existing building needs to be improved. To fund that improvement, the community has launched the Heart of Bay View Campaign, a project in which we believe and which we are happy to lead.

The successful completion of this campaign will allow Bay View to enhance the auditorium’s facilities for an increasingly sophisticated worship service, vesper concerts, lectures, and musical performances. Restrooms, running water, and top-quality acoustics and lighting will assure that Bay View can continue to present outstanding performers. With safety improvements and handicapped access, the building can be brought into compliance with codes. These are all worthwhile objectives that are appropriate to a community of Bay View’s importance.

In addition, for us personally, there are several valuable aspects of this campaign. First, we respect the thoughtful and deliberate process that brought the community to this decision. Second, we feel it’s significant that members of both Bay View and the larger community will benefit from these improvements. And third, we recognize the debt we owe to the foresight and generosity of past generations, and are pleased to be able to take this opportunity to say thank you, and to do our part to contribute to the future of Bay View.

Peggy Child Smith
Norm Wells
Campaign Co-Chairs