Camp Meeting: some local Southern history (Marvin, Catawba: camping, live in, store)

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by ASC

The Church of God, Cleveland,TN (my denomination) also has a long history with campmeetings, as the church primarily grew out of a revival that lasted for months (maybe years). I have pictures of all the old campmeetings from the Church of God in years past. The Church of God of North Carolina's campgrounds used to be on Wilkinson Blvd. up until the 1990's when they sold it. Now, it's held in the Great Smokey Mountains. Anyways, our campmeetings started out in a huge tent (and I mean huge, a tent that could seat a few thousand) and then they raised money for a tabernacle, but that is the church on the state level. Our local church has Campmeeting every year, except it's a little more modern. The campmeeting is held in the sanctuary, and people "camp" in motels and hotels. For us, Campmeeting is just like a huge revival where people come from far and wide (Florida to New York to California) to worship. Our campmeeting may seem modern from the outside, but step into the worship service, and you'll see otherwise. It's still a good 'ol fashioned camp meeting, with lots of upbeat southern gospel (not the slow, put you to sleep kind), the hand-clappin', foot stompin', type of gospel, great preaching, and great altar services. Preaching is normally over about 8:30 8:45, but there are often people who linger in the altars praying and worshipping until late, late, late, like after midnight. That's the joy of campmeeting. There's no set schedule, people have travelled far and wide and by golly they're going to enjoy every minute of it. Our campmeeting is June 15th through the 19th this year if anyone wants to be brave and come enjoy an Old-Time Southern Pentecostal Campmeeting.

I have been to a camp meeting on Hwy 221 between Blowing Rock and Boone but am thinking this may be Assembly of God . . .?

Can you give us some more info on location?

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by ellemaew

Man, this brings back some of the happiest memories of my childhood!! We went to camp meeting every year. It was just east of Monterey, California. My grandparents had a tent until they got a trailer and that was our main base at the camp meeting itself. Then the boarding high school that my mom had gone to had a mile of ocean front, with a fabulous bluff for camping on. Still miss it!! The food was fantastic - I can use all the same ingredients here at home and it never tastes even close!

Oh, I love Monterey! I wish you had photos!

[ASC]

The Church of God State Campgrounds are in Whittier, NC, near Maggie Valley and Bryson City. My church, on the other hand is, in Gaston County. The state campgrounds used to be held over by the airport on Wilkinson Blvd. I've got a picture of a flyer advertising the new campgrounds back in the 30's. Telling people to bring their own bedding to the new campgrounds on the "Wilkinson Four-Lane Blvd." We have two other campgrounds one in Kenly, NC (downeast), and Snowd Branch (yep, that's how it's spelled) in Washington, NC (this one still is the old brush arbor with sawdust floors

[ellemaew]

Originally Posted by anifani821

Oh, I love Monterey! I wish you had photos!

Unfortunately I hadn't entered my photography phase yet, or you'd have more pictures than you could shake a stick at!

[mullman]

That is very cool!

We are members at Sardis Presbyterian which has a pretty neat history.
On campus are some neat sketches of the old log church - the cemeteries are old as well.

Sardis was already a small congregation when the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church organized the first Presbytery in the South on February 24, 1790, the date chosen as the official founding of Sardis. The families of five men - John Black, James Boyes (Boyce), William Irwin, John Kirkpatrick, and Matthew Wallace - made up the nucleus of this first church. Many of their descendants are active members today. For several years, Sabbath worship was held in homes; for the first fourteen years there was no regular minister. In 1804 Sardis called its first regular minister, Dr. Isaac Grier. To date Sardis has had a total of twelve ministers, nine associate ministers and four parish associates.

The first church was a log structure, followed in time by two frame buildings, all located across Sardis Road. In 1907 a brick structure was erected on the southeast side of Sardis Road. In 1938 the Miller Memorial Education Building was added, and an adjacent children's building was completed in 1958. The 1907 sanctuary and the Miller Building were razed in 1976. Our present sanctuary, completed in 1960, is the fifth structure used for worship. An education building with a fellowship hall was added in 1968. Upon the completion in 1998 of the present fellowship building and the new children's wing, the 1958 children's building was renovated to become the present administration building.

In 1951 the Sardis congregation voted to leave the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and unite with the Presbyterian Church, U.S. Sardis is now affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.), formed by the reunion in 1983 of the northern and southern Presbyterian churches.

This brief historical sketch can only begin to tell the history of Sardis Presbyterian Church. Our history is a story of people - God's people - who through the years, have gathered together to worship and work to further God's Kingdom.

[anifani821]

MULLMAN - How neat that you are a member there! That is one of the oldest churches in Mecklenberg. I was doing some historical research a few months ago and read more about the history of this congregation. Wish I could remember where now . . .

[saralee]

I may have seen one of these "camps" before but this is certainly my first real "exposure" into what it's all about - fascinating!

Thanks for this thread and the links within.

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by saralee

I may have seen one of these "camps" before but this is certainly my first real "exposure" into what it's all about - fascinating!

Thanks for this thread and the links within.

Hi, Saralee! I am glad you are enjoying it!

I have been thinking a lot lately about how so many people who live here (even those who have been here quite a while!) don't know a lot about the real history of the region. Then I realized - well heck - who teaches it? I mean - really? We have a few wonderful museums here and they do various things to draw the public in - but really - how often do any of us make that trip to a local museum? And sadly, it isn't really taught in the schools b/c most teachers don't know a lot about the history and culture of this region (just the usual stuff - a few paragraphs- or a chapter - in elementary school textbooks on NC).

So I thought - let's all share what we know about the region - the social, cultural, religious aspects - whatever we can find that will teach a bit more about this area we all call home.

I hope others will think of things and post threads about the history here. I find campmeetings to be fascinating - families, friends and neighbors gathered together . . . and I thought maybe others may find it interesting, as well. So glad you did!

[Ragdoll Kitty Lover]

The center pavilion of Balls Creek looks like the pavilion at Hart Square in Newton near Hickory. I bookmarked these sites. Thanks for this information. It definitely interests me.

[Ragdoll Kitty Lover]

[

quote=mullman;9027449]That is very cool!

We are members at Sardis Presbyterian which has a pretty neat history.
On campus are some neat sketches of the old log church - the cemeteries are old as well.

Sardis was already a small congregation when the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church organized the first Presbytery in the South on February 24, 1790, the date chosen as the official founding of Sardis. The families of five men - John Black, James Boyes (Boyce), William Irwin, John Kirkpatrick, and Matthew Wallace - made up the nucleus of this first church. Many of their descendants are active members today. For several years, Sabbath worship was held in homes; for the first fourteen years there was no regular minister. In 1804 Sardis called its first regular minister, Dr. Isaac Grier. To date Sardis has had a total of twelve ministers, nine associate ministers and four parish associates.

The first church was a log structure, followed in time by two frame buildings, all located across Sardis Road. In 1907 a brick structure was erected on the southeast side of Sardis Road. In 1938 the Miller Memorial Education Building was added, and an adjacent children's building was completed in 1958. The 1907 sanctuary and the Miller Building were razed in 1976. Our present sanctuary, completed in 1960, is the fifth structure used for worship. An education building with a fellowship hall was added in 1968. Upon the completion in 1998 of the present fellowship building and the new children's wing, the 1958 children's building was renovated to become the present administration building.

In 1951 the Sardis congregation voted to leave the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and unite with the Presbyterian Church, U.S. Sardis is now affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.), formed by the reunion in 1983 of the northern and southern Presbyterian churches.

This brief historical sketch can only begin to tell the history of Sardis Presbyterian Church. Our history is a story of people - God's people - who through the years, have gathered together to worship and work to further God's Kingdom.

[/quote]

Looks like your church does so much for the community. What a great history. Thanks for sharing.