“It was many and many a year ago, in a kingdom by the sea..." Edgar Allan Poe
14 January 2013
St. Paul Camp Ground
St. Paul Campground, Harleyville, S.C.
I recently posted a photo from Indian Fields Methodist Campground on Facebook that sparked a discussion bringing to my attention that there were other camp meeting grounds that I was unaware of. Just when I think I've almost explored it all, bingo! I tracked down two more. This evening's feature is the St. Paul Campground not far from Harleyville.
St. Paul Camp Ground is an excellent example
of a Methodist camp meeting ground. It contains the buildings common to
such properties in South Carolina: a tabernacle, tents, stores, and
privies. However, this campground, believed to have been established ca.
1880, was organized by African-Americans belonging to St. Paul A.M.E.
Church. The buildings and grounds are used for one week each year (at
St. Paul, the week ending the third Sunday in October). The tabernacle
is a one-story building clad in rough-sawn weatherboard, with a
gable-on-hip roof of V-crimped metal. There are no windows; two
entryways, without doors, are evenly spaced at each side. There are 54
tents, two stores, and a storage house on the numbered sites at St. Paul
Camp Ground.
I loved that video. And the guy who was puzzled why "people aren't as good Christians as they used to be." I know what he meant by that, but history would show that they're pretty much the same, really.
Don't know about you, but I could smell the food in that kitchen. I know exactly what it smelled like. My grandmother's kitchen. Earthy beans and fatty meats and collard greens and biscuits.
A camp like that, they want to save your soul and feed you soul food. Not bad, not bad at all.
Still, when I saw the kitchen, and the smoke pouring out of the stove pipes, and then imagined how old and dry the wood buildings must be and how close together they were, I would fear that an errant spark could create a disaster.
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I loved that video. And the guy who was puzzled why "people aren't as good Christians as they used to be." I know what he meant by that, but history would show that they're pretty much the same, really.
ReplyDeleteDon't know about you, but I could smell the food in that kitchen. I know exactly what it smelled like. My grandmother's kitchen. Earthy beans and fatty meats and collard greens and biscuits.
A camp like that, they want to save your soul and feed you soul food. Not bad, not bad at all.
Eating and fellowship appears to be an important part of these camps. Not bad at all, indeed.
DeleteFaith, food, fun and fellowship! A wonderful combination! If you ever get the opportunity to go when they're meeting you should try it.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a grand sight!
DeleteInteresting! I didn't know these campgrounds existed.
ReplyDeleteThere are more than you think. The ones up north are fancier and often got sold individually. The ones in the south are rustic and natural.
DeleteWHAT A COOL PLACE! It's like stepping back in time! Thanks for sharing Joan!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. It was a fun treasure hunt. I have one more to find.
DeleteThat is so cool! Loved the video, too.
ReplyDeleteStill, when I saw the kitchen, and the smoke pouring out of the stove pipes, and then imagined how old and dry the wood buildings must be and how close together they were, I would fear that an errant spark could create a disaster.
S
That has been a real problem. A couple years ago there was an arson issue. They are only really used once a year but they had a couple of fires.
DeleteThis place looks like Shillong....Joan
ReplyDeleteMaybe that is why I like them? :)
DeleteVery interesting post, Joan. And the food looks good too.
ReplyDeleteThere does seem to be some impressive cooking going on!
DeleteLove to see the continuity of generations...what richness in honoring the history plus enjoying the present!
ReplyDeleteReally Thanks a Lot for the exciting blog posting! i Got Reall Good Information While Reading it, you are a brilliant writer. on CheapShillong cheap flight ticketsI actually added your blog to my favorites and will look forward for more updates. Great Job, Keep it up.. :)Shillong flights
ReplyDelete