Our History

Epworth United Methodist Camp: Early Years

 From the Memory of Walter A. Smith
May 25, 1993

As background for these remarks a word must be written about the camp meeting. I have heard that, under the direction of the local Methodist Pastor in Louisville, a group of men got together and formed the Clay County Holiness Association. I think this occurred in the 1930's. They began holding a Summer Camp Meeting using a large tent to house their services.

The Holiness Association grew in popularity and support through the years. It was an era when a number of Camp Meetings were thriving in Southern Illinois. In addition to Eldorado there were Tilden, Bonnie, and Jacobs Camps, just to name a few.

At the close of World War II, when materials and manpower became available, the Clay County Holiness Association bought a piece of property on the north edge of Louisville and built the tabernacle. As I recall, they also had a small bookstore/office and two workers' cabins. It was about this time that the Holiness Camp was at its peak.

Wanting to make better use of the facilities, some of the Board of Directors of the camp went to the Methodist District Superintendent, Dr. Earl C. Phillips and offered to let him use the camp for a Summer Youth Institute, free of charge. Now Dr. Phillips had been a former dean of the Eldorado Youth Institute, so he saw the possibilities. He sought the support of several pastors in his district and found a good response. The project was launched and a small but enthusiastic group held the first institute; I think it was 1947.

In 1948 I was appointed to the Olney Church. Dr. Phillips came to me soliciting my help. I remember that he wanted to model it after Eldorado Institute (now called Beulah Institute), which was a huge success in the southern half of the conference. Our Olney Church has a large two-story cabin at Eldorado, and our youth encouraged by my predecessor, Dr. H.E. Burge had been attending institute there. Naturally, I hesitated to change what appeared to be a successful program.

However, it soon became apparent that if the new institute in Louisville ever reached its potential, it needed the support of churches like Olney. So, I encouraged our church to sell its cabin at Eldorado and build a new one at Louisville.

About that time a plot of ground, adjoining the Holiness Camp, became available. It had been the estate of one of Louisville's more affluent citizens, but had fallen into disrepair after his death. It contained about seven acres with a huge two-story house. Dr. Phillips seized the opportunity to buy the property for the Olney district. Wanting it to have a distinctive Methodist flavor, Dr. Phillips named it the Epworth Methodist Youth Institute was on its way.

Having sold our property in Eldorado, the Olney Church built the first cabin on our new property and Flora, Clay City and others followed quickly. The new institute grew rapidly. Needing help, Dr. Phillips urged me to take a place of leadership so he appointed me to be dean of Epworth Institute. I guess that I was the first official dean.

Our immediate concern was a dining hall where safe and nutritious meals could be prepared and served. We had been using a large tent as a makeshift dinning room. Dr. Phillips raised funds in a very short time and a new building was erected. In the meantime, we heard that a small college in Springfield, Missouri was closing and had kitchen utensils to sell. So, early one spring mourning Rev. Gerald Gulley, pastor at Louisville, and I went to Springfield and filled my car to the roof with stainless steel food trays, table ware, and large pots and pans.

Many work days were held for the preparation of the institute site. Underbrush and trees had to be cleared, building sites prepared for cabins, plus work on finishing the dining hall, as well as repair on the old house. These new facilities made Epworth grow to capacity in a very short period.

Another sizable project was preparing a recreation area. A group of farmers came with their plows and tractors and leveled off a spot large enough for a softball field. So, we were now ready to carry out our institute program. It consisted of classes in churchmanship in the morning, recreation in the afternoon and most important a lively, evangelistic service each evening.

In 1952, I became the Olney district superintendent (now called the Little Wabash River District), and continued to promote Epworth Institute in all of our churches. In those days a D.S. held no less than three or four charge conferences each year, so I was able to learn the names of the laity and youth and promote Epworth personally. I continued as dean only a year or two after becoming D.S. I'm not sure, but I think the Rev. Max Martin, pastor of Flora, became my successor.

My interest in Epworth continued unabated throughout my term on the Olney district. Upon leaving, however, I began to lose contact, which means that I have little recollection beyond that point. I do know that over the years Epworth Institute has had a deep and enriching ministry in the lives of many youth in that area of our conference.