About Camp Canonicus
308 Acres of land, 20 Acres of Lake, Year Round Conference Center, Large Retreat Houses, Summer Camping Shelters, Dining Lodge, Sports Fields, Bathhouses, Indoor and Outdoor Chapels & More!
This Land Was MADE for You and Me!
The original Baptist Plantations property was a gift from Mr and Mrs Steven A Sweet, who had operated the area as a potato farm. The Sweets had a vision for their legacy: a Christian Youth Camp and ministry. The Sweet Farmhouse was renamed to the McCrillis Farmhouse. It’s the oldest building on the property, dating back to 1810. Colonial Village, included the Carriage house which was converted to Tefft Chapel, Breezymere, Cedarholm, and the Barn.
In 1957, the camp property was expanded through another gift of 100 acres from the Wood family of North Kingstown whose property abutted the original Sweet property.
The Canonicus Camp and Conference Center property spans 308 acres across North Kingstown and Exeter, RI.
Canonicus is place to bring people together in Christian community and allow our place of wilderness to feed the souls of all who came, to sense their belonging with all God has made.
Canonicus is a place where our deep Baptist heritage gives public witness to the connection with the land and the indigenous people, the Narragansetts.
Canonicus is a place where youth and adults encounter Jesus Christ.
Canonicus is a place where we get away from it all and focus on God.
This Land Is Your Land, This Land is My Land...
From its founding in 1948 when camping began in these woods, Canonicus has been supported by several churches, individuals, and families — believers who donated to the creation and/or improvement of some of the most famous and precious areas on camp.
In 2026, after seventy five incredible years of camping and conference ministry and three years of hope in the face of uncertainty, the stewardship of the property was transferred to Canonicus Ministries.
Today, it is with humble grace and faith that this new leadership is our calling that we embark on a great adventure: to safeguard and rebuild our home in the woods. There is SO much to celebrate. Please join us!
The Grounds, Buildings and Land
The Grounds, Buildings and Land
Canonicus Buildings
Meadowwood Conference Center: This is the perfect setting for a retreat, conference or special event. There is a meeting space for 75-125 people, a dining room and up to 3 break out spaces available. The Meadowwood Conference Center is fully heated for year round usage.
Pierce Lodge: Pierce Lodge is located at the Meadowwood Conference Center. There are 12 comfortable bedrooms, complete with bathroom. It can accommodate up to 44 persons. Pierce Lodge is fully heated for year round usage.
Shaub Lodge: A log and fieldstone dining hall. The lodge includes a large fieldstone fireplace on the south end and picture windows facing west over the 20 acre Lake Adams.
Snell: The building on the hill that overlooks the lake was refurbished in 2008. It was formally the Administration Lodge.
West Warwick Pavilion: A covered picnic facility provided by the West Warwick Baptist Church. It was a gift from Don and Linda Hansen
Motter Resource Center (the old office) Purchased for $1 and moved to camp and installed on a foundation build for them by camp staff and volunteers.
Hansen Trading Post In June of 1969 Canonicus purchased an A-frame building which previously operated as a real-estate sales office. The Trading Post was moved to the road heading up to Lakeside.
McCillis – Sweet Farmhouse: The original house was built in 1810. It was the home of Stephen and Adella Sweet when they lived and farmed the land, often housing boarders. When they signed the land over for the creation of Baptist Plantations in 1948, they moved out of the house and into a small cottage on the back of the property. It was restored and renamed by Baptist Camps in 1962.
Teftt Chapel: A small barn/carriage house from the original Stephen Sweet Farm was built in the early 1900s and converted into a Teftt Chapel with a seating capacity of 140. Tefft Chapel is a lovely setting for a small wedding, day retreat or planning event. Tefft has an organ and attractive, flexible and comfortable seating. It is fully heated for year round usage.
The chapel is a memorial to the late Dr Lyman Teftt, a gift from his daughter, Mary. On the day of it’s dedication, 200 people crowded into the chapel and hundreds of others heard the service through loud speakers. More than 1000 people attended the service!
The Lawrence Building In May of 1999 Delegates approved the move of ABCORI offices to Exeter from Providence. The building that now houses the combined offices of The American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island and Canonicus Camp & Conference Center is the Lawrence Building which was named for Norman Lawrence who was from Jamestown.
Ruah, the Director’s House:
Green Retreat House: The Green Retreat House is located at the Pine Grove. It has 6 bedrooms and can accommodate up to 20 people. There is a meeting space with living room, dining room and kitchenette area containing a dorm size refrigerator, microwave and sink. This building is fully heated and air-conditioned.
Rathbun Retreat House: A sister to the Green Retreat House, Rathbun is located at the Pine Grove. It has 6 bedrooms and can accommodate up to 20 people. There is a meeting space with living room, dining room and kitchenette area containing a dorm size refrigerator, microwave and sink. This building is fully heated and air-conditioned.
Lake Adams
Robinson Field
Sports Field
Central Camp
Council Ring
Beach Field and the West Warwick Pavilion:
Pierce Lodge
Benediction Point
Benediction Point – Chapel
Benediction Point – Bell and Tower