Through the vision of faithful church leaders in the 1950’s, the first 25 acres of Lutherhill were purchased in 1954 from Phillips Petroleum that had used the location as a pump station.

Four staff houses and a brick pump station were converted into summer cabins and an administration and worship center. That center is now the dining hall, named for F.E. Eilers in honor of the Swiss Alp Lutheran Church pastor who served on the camp committee that found the land.

July 1, 1954 the camp was dedicated with 1,700 people attending! Charles Vorkoper is credited with having contributed the name “Lutherhill” for the campsite. Mr. L. L. Appelt added ten additional acres to the site in 1957 and a pool was also built.