Adapted from the video "Camp Stella Maris: 75 Years of Memories"

Produced by AV8 Productions, written by Tom Hanney



In 1926, Seminarians Gerald Lambert and Eugene Hudson hosted 15 young boys in a cottage at McPherson's Point as the Diocese of Rochester's first camp. "Stella Maris" - Latin for Star of the Sea - was chosen by Lambert and Hudson to honor Mary, mother of Jesus. A statue was dedicated to Mary on the lakeshore seven years later, with a request to Mary to protect the people of the Camp.



Max Russer, a prominent Rochester businessman whose two sons, Max, Jr. and John, attended that first summer, purchased the old Lake View House, in May of 1927, and agreed to let the seminarians use it each summer for Camp. In 1928, at the age of 45, Russer died tragically, less then a year after purchasing the site that is synonymous with the Camp.



After his death, Russer's wife Eleanor donated $10,000 to the Diocese so they could buy the property from her. Lambert became Camp chaplain and played a role at Camp for 49 years. Hudson was also a major contributor to the organization and administration of the camp. Even through the Depression years of the 1930s, Camp was a popular summer destination.



In the 1970s, Camp faced mounting challenges. Times were changing. Families were changing. Children had many more options with their leisure time. And Camp attendance suffered as a result. The Camp's facilities also started to show some wear.



Catholic Charities, which ran the Camp, knew that providing for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of children had an important place in society. Despite mounting challenges, it was decided that Camp should continue, but with a new direction. Reaching out to more and varied people and expanding year-round opportunities not only increased attendance, it recommitted Camp to its mission.



Camp Stella Maris today is a year-round resource for children and families, striving to provide consistent opportunities for youth development. CSM remains dedicated, more than ever, to this vision. As Fr. Robert McNamara once said, "Camp Stella Maris has always been a venture in character building than a business venture."