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Noah Phelps was born July 18, 1828 in Fabius New York and moved to Canada with his family when he was five years old. At the age of thirty, he converted to Methodism and became a prominent member of the Methodist Church. Noah Phelps lived near the Welland Canal and was interested in the Grimsby Camp-Meeting from its beginning. From the first meeting until his death, he was present each year except one when he was travelling with his wife.

Noah Phelps was the first president of the Ontario Methodist Camp Ground Company in 1874 and occupied that chair until his death on January 15, 1900.

His sister, Harriet Phelps Youmans in her book Grimsby Park: Historical and Biographical Sketches describes her brother's involvement at Grimsby Park in the following way. "He always tried to promote and help the welfare of the Park. In the early morning he would inspect every part of any machinery in the Park. Mr. Phelps was everywhere from the office to the wharf, from new buildings to the inspection of a dangerous tree, selling lots, leading meetings, entertaining strangers, straightening out problems between unreasonable visitors and the gate-keeper, soothing the upset feelings of sensitive cottage owners and showing the advantages of the Park to newcomers. During all his years he received no salary, paid his own travelling and other expenses in connection with the meetings and business of the board, presented no bills for postage, telegrams or other things and gave financial aid whenever it was required. He was instrumental in the building of the Temple in 1888. To many of the summer residents of the Park he was known as "Uncle Noah" and was a friend to children and young people."

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Noah Phelps, President of the Ontario Methodist Camp Ground from 1874 to 1900.
1874

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It was the vision of men such as Noah Phelps and the other Directors of the Ontario Methodist Camp Ground Company that created this unique area. Following the death of Noah Phelps, financial difficulties developed leading to the eventual sale of Grimsby Park.