From A Dream To A Reality

The dream of a Christian Church Christian Service Camp was conceived in the mind of Leo Crowe at Locust Grove Christian Church on Wednesday July 1, 1964 as Janice McPhetridge, a student at Johnson Bible College, talked to the Locust Grove youth about attending Christian Service Camp at Camp Calvary near Mackville, KY. She stressed the idea that every child should have the opportunity of attending a week of camp. Woodrow McPhetridge pledged the first $100.00 toward this cause.

The need for such a camp was discussed by the Men For Christ at a meeting held at the Mt. Carmel Church in August 1964. Great interest in this venture was expressed by those present.

The next month at the Men For Christ meeting at Artemus Christian church three trustees were chosen. These men were Glen Chaney, Woodrow McPhetridge, and Eldon Patton.

In December, the trustees chose Leo Crowe as the Camp Manager and Gladys Masters as the treasurer for the camp. Faith Christian Assembly was chosen as the name and a constitution was adopted. Corporation papers were filed with the Secretary of State in April 1965.

August 1-6, 1965 saw the first camp held in the area. It was held at Levi Jackson State Park with 64 campers and 13 faculty members. That first week saw 11 baptisms and 22 rededications.

While that first week of camp was going on, Herbert Bowling offered the present camp site as a permanent place for the camp. The property was examined by the trustees and manager along with men from McWhorter Christian Church. The approximately 20 acres was accepted as the permanent home for Faith Christian Assembly on August 15, 1965 and a public announcement was made.

In September 1965, men from local churches cleared a road and Elige Lewis began grading the .8 mile road into the camp with a bulldozer donated by Greer Brothers Construction Company.

A clear deed was presented to the area Youth President, David Patton in October 1965 by Herbert Bowling. During the next four weeks much discussion and planning took place. A sketch for the camp and the actual plans of the buildings were drawn by Earl Abbot, an engineer for Laminated Timbers.

With about 200 people present, April 1966 saw the ground breaking for the main building. The property was mortgaged for $27,000 to build the main building and facilities. The cabins were built by individual area congregations.

After nearly three years of hard work, Harvey Bream Jr. spoke at the dedication ceremony on October 15, 1967. Since that day many young people from the Cumberland Valley area as well as many other locations have been blessed by the programs offered by Faith Christian Assembly.

Woodrow McPhetridge concludes his history of the camp saying, “None of this would be possible had not the Lord laid it upon the heart of each one who has given of his time and money. May glory and honor be given to the Lord Jesus Christ as each soul is brought into a closer relationship with Him.”