Centuries ago the Heck's and many other Palatinate families were persecuted in Germany for their religious beliefs and were given refuge by the Queen of England. In time, they settled in Ireland and when life became difficult there, they decided to venture to the new World in the mid-1700's.
They were hard workers, and thrifty people, and they prospered. During the American Revolution they remained loyal to the British Crown, and were no longer welcome in their new land. To escape persecution, they emigrated to Canada and settled in Augusta Township.
These families shared their faith, courage and culture with many people, and led by Barbara Heck, they formed the beginnings of the Methodist Church in North America.
A group of lay men and clergy near Gananoque decided in 1965 to build an ecumenical conference and vacation centre on the Landon Bay property. At the same time, the Dupont company had dismantled the old Heck House piece by piece hoping to find a new home for it. Reverend Bill Lamb, and Reverend Newton Reed persuaded the company to move all the timbers and stones to the Landon Bay property where it was stored in a barn, to be re-erected there.
The two clergy, Lamb and Reed, joined the Landon Bay group and two companies were formed – The Landon Bay Vacation Centre Limited, and The Barbara Heck Foundation, to honour Barbara Heck and to rebuild the Heck House as a historic site. Unfortunately the entire dismantled interior, which was stored in a barn, was destroyed by fire around 1970.
The Barbara Heck Foundation has carried on family camping and ecumenical activities since 1964. Most of the revenues have come from camping, contributions and donations by the directors and interested persons.
More information is available by phoning 613 382-7381 or sending an e-mail to landonbay@1000island.net |
© Landon Bay Centre
