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On March 31, 1978, the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America signed the final sales agreements to take ownership of what is now The Antiochian Village. The Metropolitan Philip immediately established two primary councils. The first was the Administrative Council for daily operations, co-chaired by father George M. Corry and mr. George S. Koury. The second council was the Programming Council, chaired and organized by father John Namie, pastor of St. George Orthodox Church, Houston, TX. Father John was assisted by the then Youth Director of the Archdiocese, Mr. [[Basil (Essey) of Wichita|Bill Essey]].
During the 33rd Archdiocese Convention in Houston, TX, Metropolitan Philip announced the purchase of the Antiochian Village as "a new spiritual dimension to our lives and will inaugurate a new era of religious maturity in our Archdiocese". The 280-acre grounds were purchased from Camp Fairfieldfirst Administrative Council was filled with the additional talent and energy of Theodore Mackoul, the V. Rev. John Badeen, Thomas Hier, John Roman, Elsie Kaleel, Albert Joseph, Fred Simon, William Salem, a Presbyterian campRichard Tony, Michael Anthony, in 1978Michael Shamey, and the first camping season Dennis Slyman. The original Programming Council was similarly enhanced with the summer addition of 1979: Dr. John Boojamra, Edward Joseph, Brenda Joseph, John Litsios, the Very Rev. James Meena, Pearl Nahass, father Anthony Scott, father Joseph Shahda, Vladimir Swydan, and Donna Yazge. The Conference and Retreat Center was built in 1985 and doubled in size in 1990. Fr. John Namie was the first camp director from 1979 to 1988. Under his directorship, the camping program grew from a two-camper session to an ACA accredited camping program that served hundreds of Orthodox Youth each summer.
After a succession of directors, Fr. Joseph Purpura was the director from 1993-1996, during which time the Ligonier meeting was held.
