Completed in 1926, The Assembly was the oldest original building at Miniwanca. J. R. Marcum, a friend of AYF founder Preston Orwig, funded the $4,000 facility. Nestled in the side of a wooded sand dune, it was a versatile space for meetings, performances and other program activities and could accommodate hundreds of campers.

The Assembly had a natural stone hearth featuring a mill stone from the Stony Creek grist mill from the 1850s. The interior of the building was also adorned with flags and banners from numerous states and countries representing AYF participants over the years. 

The Toll of Time 

As Miniwanca programs evolved, so did the Assembly building. After multiple additions on a sand footing, the original structure could no longer carry the load. In 2022, the building was taken down, and plans for its replacement began immediately. 

A New Assembly 

AYF is working with HDJ Architects and Engineers in Grand Rapids to design a space that honors the legacy of the Assembly. The AYF was introduced to HDJ by architect Natalie Fox, AYF alum and great-granddaughter of the Burmeister family, the original Assembly architect.  

With Natalie as the project lead, we are able to preserve the beloved aesthetic of Assembly, as well as adapt to the needs of today’s programs, including a large central gathering space, accessible toilets, and a much-needed storm shelter in the basement. 

The new construction of Assembly is supported by the Fuel the Fire, Fund the Future centennial campaign. Help rebuild this important landmark for the next generation! 

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Senior Director of Infrastructure Andy Mulcahy said the AYF began monitoring the structure’s lean in 2017, when it measured a difference of 6 inches from the bottom to the top of the front wall. In fall 2019, it rapidly shifted another 1½ inches.

“Unfortunately, the building was actively moving and deemed to be unsafe to use,” Mulcahy said. “We set up extensive bracing to support the structure and began working with an engineering firm to figure out how to revive Assembly.”

Miniwanca and the AYF Property and Maintenance Committee considered three possible solutions: a steel infrastructure inside the building to completely take the weight of the existing structure; removing the roof to reinforce the walls with multiple structural improvements, then rebuilding the roof and dormers; or completely rebuilding Assembly.

“Each plan came with its own costly price tag,” Mulcahy said. “After much deliberation, we made the difficult decision to take the building down and build a new Assembly.”

The AYF is working with HDJ Architects and Engineers in Grand Rapids to design a space that honors the legacy of Assembly, which was built in 1926 then added to in 1930, 1936, 1938, and 1953. Mulcahy said the existing fireplace and original mill stone will remain in place, and the new structure will be built around them.

With an eye to history and budget, the Miniwanca team has also carefully removed items to be reused in the new space, including the windows, doors, electric fixtures, cabling, outlets, and the state flags. Assembly has been deconstructed ahead of summer 2022, and the space in front of the Assembly Amphitheater will be prepped for outdoor use. Construction on the new Assembly will begin after the program season.

“As with the Fellowship Building, we know how important these historic structures are to our Miniwanca Founder Family,” Mulcahy said. “We hope to honor their legacies by repurposing key parts of the original buildings to create new spaces for youth to explore and enjoy for decades to come.”

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