History
Our History and Heritage
The Kentucky District Wesleyan Camp began in 1939 as the Pilgrim Holiness Camp. Our first District Camp was held at Kingswood, Kentucky (1919 – 1931). The location then changed to Aspen Grove, Kentucky (1932 – 1938) and subsequently to near Maysville, Kentucky (1939 – present).
New Beginnings
In 1938 it was decided that a more central and larger campground was needed for the Kentucky District of the Pilgrim Holiness Church. The present site, approximately 6 ½ miles east of Maysville on Route 10 between Plumville and Rectorville, was established under the leadership of the late Rev. E.E. Leadingham, District Superintendent. The first six acres were purchased for $600.00. Rev. Leadingham reported to the 1939 District Conference that a tabernacle (45’x80’), a dining room seating approximately 150 people, a kitchen (16’x20’), a ladies dormitory (28’x40’), a small office building, a bookroom, six cottages, and about 1,000 feet of sidewalk were by then a part of the campground.
The dedication service of the Maysville Campground was held on Wednesday, August 9, 1939 at 2:00 PM. District Superintendent E.E. Leadingham spoke briefly concerning the purchase of the property. Rev. L.S. Houston, assistant District Superintendent, read a poem. Portions of scripture were read by various members of the District Council and late Dr. R.G. Flexon brought the dedicatory address, speaking from Haggai 1:8-9. A generous offering was freely given.
The first Maysville camp meeting was marked by many new beginnings:
- Housing – a stack of straw was placed in the corner of the tabernacle. The young people were assigned to fill the straw ticks for the beds in the dorms. People pitched tents around the campground. A large tent served as the men and boys dorm.
- Workers – the evangelist and singers were housed in private homes in Tollesboro.
- Parking – because of the large crowds, the entire campground and across the road was filled with parked cars.
- Bathrooms – there were no modern bathroom facilities in those days. This made it necessary for the men to bath in the river or a nearby creek. Women brought their wash basins.
- Tabernacle – the tabernacle had a sawdust floor. There were three sections of seats. On the platform was a larger area for the great camp meeting choir and the band to sit. The tabernacle was named in 1992 “The Paul J. Ebright Worship Center” in honor of District Superintendent Paul Ebright, who served from 1965 – 1975.
- Water – a well was dug. This provided the only means of a water supply for the campers. A cistern was dug for the kitchen to use. The water from the cistern was hauled in for kitchen use, cooking, and washing of dishes and pans.
- Food supply – each church in the district was assessed certain kind of food or an offering to be donated to help the camp financially. People brought chickens, vegetables, and produce. On the weekends various individuals would prepare the chicken for Sunday dinner. Also, on Saturday the ladies baked pies for Sunday dinner.
- Services – three preaching services were enjoyed daily: 10:30 AM, 2:30 PM, and 7:30 PM. Young People’s Meeting was at 1:00 PM. The “ring service” (open air praise and singing) was at 6:30 PM.
- District Conference – was always on Thursday and Friday during camp meeting in the daytime. A great camp meeting service was enjoyed at night. The 1939 District Conference was from Monday through Friday during camp.
- Sidewalks – a major portion of the sidewalks was laid in 1940. In 1986 the old walks were taken up and new wider ones were installed.
- Prayer Meetings – following the evening services a great number of men would meet in the field behind the camp ground for prayer. The prayer meetings would go often times until 2:00 AM or later in the morning. The sounds of intercession, shouting, and rejoicing could be heard throughout the night hours by the campers and community. Prayer was a major emphasis of the camp.
One of the outstanding memories of the early camp services was the “shouting of the saints”. Many saints were happy and free in the Spirit of the Lord and their rejoicing was a real blessing to all. These individuals included Rev. C.L. Locker, Rev. Walter Lowery, Rev. Robert Bell, Rev. William Marksberry, Rev. Kenneth Fleming, and Rev. Walter Duncan, who would declare that “he was smack dab in the middle of Canaan land.” On and on the list could go.
Many outstanding evangelists and singers have ministered at the camp. The late Dr. R. G. Flexon (former Pilgrim Holiness church pastor, evangelist, District Superintendent, college president and General Superintendent) was the first camp evangelist in 1939. The late Rev. P.O. Carpenter (former pastor, evangelist, and assistant District Superintendent) served more times as evangelist than any other preacher. The singing by various groups and individuals has been a real blessing to all.
New Buildings
Many improvements have been added since the first camp in 1939. Following are some of them:
- 1940 - the District Superintendent/Treasurer building was built. It is now named the “E.E. Leadingham Building” in honor of District Superintendent E.E. Leadingham, who served from 1934 – 1939.
- 1942 - the Houston Hall, in honor of District Superintendent L.S. Houston who served from 1939 – 1954, was erected with twenty-two rooms and a basement dorm for the women. Today the basement is used as classrooms at youth camp and a place for Children’s Services during camp meeting.
- Two other tracks of land were purchased making a total of thirteen acres.
- 1950 - new lunch stand was built.
- 1958 - the Tromble Hall, in honor of District Superintendent Ralph Tromble who served from 1954 - 1964, was erected with twenty-two rooms, plus modern restrooms, two evangelist quarters, a laundry room, and two prayer rooms. This building brought the camp ground one of the nicest dorms that a camp ground could enjoy in the 1950’s.
- 1962 - a beautiful new Dining Hall with a well-equipped kitchen and dishwashing areas was erected. The Dining Hall is now known as the “Jimmy and Dorothy Coleman Dining Hall”. The Colemans faithfully served as camp cooks for 39 years.
- 1980 - new and modern restrooms and showers were built. This made camp meeting more enjoyable.
- 1984 - the old dining hall and kitchen was torn down and a new motel style was erected, consisting of sixteen large family style rooms. This new dormitory was named the Sypolt Hall, in honor of District Superintendent A.L. and Etta Mae Sypolt, who served from 1975 - 1990.
- 1991 - new maintenance/garage building was erected.
- 2001 - new caretaker’s house (28’x42’) was erected. This beautiful new home consists of a living/dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom and utility room with a large deck on the back of the house.
- 2003 – new Evangelists’ Building (20’x42’) was erected in honor of Rev. William & Esther Richardson. This beautiful facility consists of two evangelists’ quarters with private bathrooms and a fellowship room with a refrigerator, microwave, and table and chairs. One evangelist room is named in honor of the late Rev. P.O. Carpenter and the other room is named in honor of the late Dr. R.G. Flexon.
Eighty-three (83) cabins are on the camp ground. The first cabins built were as follows: Hitchins church, F.M. McNurlin’s, Joseph Thomas’, Jenny Vincent’s, P.O. Carpenter’s, and nurse’s cabin (Wellman Memorial Church).
New Benchmarks
Throughout our rich history several major decisions and changes have been made. Some of them are as follows:
- 1972 - the two meal (daily) system was adopted. This has proven to be a help both economically and physically.
- 1978 - a new change in service schedule was adopted. The decision was made to go to two services daily and three on Sunday.
- 1955 - the first District Youth Camp was conducted under the leadership of Rev. Harvard Warren and Rev. Paul Ebright. The attendance was thirty-five (35). Youth camp attendance grew until all facilities were completely full.
- 1963 - District Conference was moved from Thursday and Friday of camp to Monday and Tuesday following camp. This continued until merger of the Kentucky District of the Pilgrim Holiness Church and the Kentucky Conference of The Wesleyan Methodist Church in 1969.
- 1965 - a decision was made to have a Children’s Camp as well as a youth camp. These camps provided new life and energy to the campground.
Conclusion
Six District Superintendents have given leadership to the Maysville Camp Ministries and Campground: Rev. E.E. Leadingham (1939); Rev. L.S. Houston (1939-1954); Rev. Ralph Tromble (1954-1965); Rev. Paul J. Ebright (1965-1975); Rev. A.L. Sypolt (1975-1990), and Rev. Glenn D. Black (1990-present). Each man has contributed in their own leadership style towards growth, organization, spirituality, and physical improvements to the campground.
Faithful pastors and ministers have enabled the Maysville Campground to offer ministries to children, youth, and adults since 1939. Without financial remuneration, these servants of the Lord have honored Him and us through their sacrificial participations in these ministries. Countless hours of donated labor has been offered through the years. Wonderful and loyal laity have also greatly contributed to the ministries of the Kentucky District Wesleyan Camps and improvements on the Maysville Campground. Listing all these contributors would risk omitting one.
From a very humble beginning in 1939 the Maysville Campground has been a tremendous spiritual blessing to the Maysville community and the Kentucky District. To God be the praise! We salute our past, honor our present, and anticipate an even greater future!
Prepared by Rev. Glenn D. Black
Six District Superintendents Have Provided Leadership to Maysville Camp
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| Rev. E. E. Leadingham 1934 - 1939 |
Rev. L. S. Houston 1939 - 1954 |
Rev. Ralph Tromble 1954 - 1965 |
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| Rev. Paul Ebright 1965 - 1975 |
Rev. A. L. Sypolt 1975 - 1990 |
Rev. Glenn D. Black 1990 - Present |
