Five Oaks is an Education and Retreat Centre in Paris, Ontario (pictured here in the mid 1960s). Developed by the United Church in the 1950s, it is known well by many in our congregation for Confirmation Class retreats or summer family camps.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the property on which Five Oaks stands was the Pottruff farm, located on the banks of the Grand River where it meets Whiteman’s Creek. In the 1920’s and 30’s, church groups began to use the flat land on the farm for church picnics and camps until the Brant County Council of Christian Education founded Camp Thayendanegea (named after Joseph Brant) in the mid-thirties.
In the 1940’s, Rev. Bev Oaten, minister of Colborne Street United Church in Brantford, heard about the development of Naramata Centre for lay education in British Columbia. He and others became convinced of the need for such a centre to serve the Church in central Canada. Camp Thayendanegea was selected in 1950 to become this new centre because its run down facilities were available for $1.00 and it was wired for electricity.
The place was renamed Five Oaks. “Five” for the five Conferences of the United Church that the Centre served. “Oaks” for the ancient oak trees on the property, that in Celtic tradition represent deep-rooted spirituality.
The first classes were held at Five Oaks in the summer of 1952. Construction began on some new buildings, with completion in 1959. All buildings were designed to provide a simple lifestyle that reminded participants that many in the world lived with much less.
It is believed that Five Oaks is situated on land where the Cayuga nation resided. It would likely have been an important place for trade and ceremonial gatherings until a cholera epidemic depleted the community.
Today, Five Oaks is a unique, interfaith/intercultural education and retreat centre affiliated with The United Church of Canada, Six Nations, and the Muslim community. It is one of three Canadian education centres supported through Mission & Service. They feature Family Adventure Days and summer camps for kids. Check out their website!