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Bergfried
The Bergfried Committee organizes and coordinates the programs and group outings at Bergfried, located 9 miles west of Hermann, MO at the confluence of the Gasconade and Missouri Rivers. These include yearly campouts, usually held the second weekend of October and Memorial Day Weekend.
The Bergfried committee also attends to the physical needs of the grounds, administers managing the property's issue of wild life, plant life and preserving the property in a natural state while still providing accommodations for camping, picnicking, hiking and enjoying nature.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources advised us (in summer 2004) that they have confirmed that Elk and Mountain Lion are known to be on our property. There are indication that Bear and Red Wolf may have been on the property as well.
For more information, contact Gene Hutchins at
.
Click here for Directions to Bergfried.
Bergfried Homily
A worship service is usually included in organized campouts. See What We Have, ... Is Before Us for the homily delivered at the service at Bergfried on October 8, 2006.
History and Description of Bergfried, "Hill of Joy"
Seventy
five miles west of St. Louis, near Gasconade, Missouri, lies 600 acres
of rolling meadows, wooded hills and spectacular bluffs named "Bergfried".
Donated to Eliot Chapel in 1965 by Miss Julia Lingenfelder and Mrs.
Doris Lingenfelder Shreve, two sisters and members of Eliot Chapel,
and by Karl E. Lingenfelder. This land, at the confluence of the Gasconade
and Missouri Rivers, is a peaceful haven for retreat and spiritual
gathering. "Bergfried", meaning "Hill of Joy",
was presented to Eliot Chapel on the 100th anniversary of the original
owner Dr. Julius Lingenfelder's birth, three years following his death.
During his lifetime, Dr. Lingenfelder had dreamed of establishing
a recreation area, or convalescent retreat on this farm, but was financially
unable to develop the property.
In
1988 the Chapel built the Lingenfelder Shelter in an open field on
the property. There are picnic tables, new water tanks, a few fire
pits with cooking grates, and the Cistern Chapel, our two room sanitary
facility. The shelter has a fireplace at one end and offers protection
from the rain which commonly plagues campers at Bergfried. Even with
the rain, hardy Eliot campers enjoy the company and music of members
and friends at family weekends every spring and fall. The Sensitive
New Age Guys participate in the Men's Advance each year. (Women retreat;
men advance.) The following description was written by Mark Nissen,
one of the SNAGS and a very hard-working member of the Bergfried committee:
The
night falls, illuminated by the crackling orange flames leaping from
a blazing campfire.Guitars, drums, and harmonicas produce musical
strains, adding an element of togetherness. Conversations are heard
all around the circle as stories are shared. A clear star-studded
sky provides an overhead canopy.
This
describes this past spring's Men's Advance: In
May the magic of fireflies hovering over the meadow is reason enough
to be there no matter what the weather. The spectacular fall foliage
that rings the meadow in October draws participants to the autumn
gathering.
There are several hiking trails, a variety of birds, wild flowers and trees, and the Milky Way on clear nights. A climb to a high bluff is rewarded by a marvelous view of the river. An especially interesting resource is an ancient Native American village dating back about 8,000 years where artifacts can still be found. The grave of a Union soldier can be seen in the woods along the trail to the bluffs. Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of time spent at Bergfried is the opportunity to meet new Eliot friends and to catch up with friends we don't see enough due to our busy lives in the city.
Bergfried is less than two hours from Kirkwood, making it an easy one day outing for those who enjoy coming for the outdoor Sunday service and the potluck which follows on family weekends.
How To Get To Bergfried
Bergfried is a pleasant hour and a half drive from Kirkwood. The quickest, most direct route is to go west on Interstate 44, past Pacific and Gray Summit, to the Highway 100 / Washington, Missouri, exit. Route 100 will take you all the way to Bergfried.
After you exit the Interstate, proceed west on Route 100 through the outskirts of Washington. Continue through New Haven and into Hermann. Following the Route 100 signs in Hermann will involve a left turn after passing through the center of town. Then, as you head south out of town, Route 100 will take a right turn onto a road heading west.
Several miles past Hermann there will be a long flat stretch, then the road will climb up into the hills. Soon there will be a steep descent towards the Gasconade river, marked by a downhill truck sign. Bergfried’s entrance is at the very top of the hill - the driveway on the left to the house painted green, about 50 feet after the sign. To play it safe, continue on down across the bridge then turn around in the village of Gasconade. Head back across the bridge, the way you came. Turn right at the top of the hill into the driveway of the house painted green and it will take you to the camping meadow and shelter at Bergfried. After selecting a campsite and dropping off your gear, park your vehicle in the designated parking area.