Interstate 95 Antiques • Summer - Fall 2011
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200 years of preachin’, prayin’ and playin’ By Stephanie Jadrnicek Contributor
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or over 200 years, people have been flocking to Indian Field Campground for a little preachin’, prayin’ and playin’. Located in Dorchester County, S.C. several miles north of St. George, this unique property has been home to Methodists for one week each year. “It’s an ongoing religious institution,” said Pete Weathers who’s attended camp meetings all of his life. Since the late 1700s these services have been held during harvest season to give thanks for the year’s bountiful yield. The first meetings were held in a farm field and an increase in attendance necessitated a move to the present location in 1800. This aerial shot of the campground shows its unique layout. The architectural design of the buildings and landscape are derived from a description of the Harvest Festival in the book of Leviticus. from the rural areas to one spot for religious services and social fellowship. In the early days most attendees were Centrally located, the tabernacle is also farmers. known as the preaching stand. It was They’d bring built in 1847 and seats about 500. their harvest along with camping supplies and stay for the enWhat makes Indian Field Camptire week. That’s one of the few aspects ground unique is its layout. The archiwhich has changed over time. tectural design of the buildings and “Services are pretty much the same, landscape are derived from a description of the Harvest Festival in the Book the only difference is there are fewer services because it’s not as well attendof Leviticus. ed as it was in the olden days. Most The grounds have 12 equal sides people usually don’t stay overnight representing the 12 tribes of Israel. A and the evening service is the most atcentral tabernacle formerly known as tended,” said Weathers. the preaching stand is surrounded by Originally, there were five daily 99 “tents,” which are actually wooden cabins, arranged in an octagonal shape. services Monday through Monday. Currently, there are three – at 7:30 a.m., “The tabernacle was built in 1847 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. But some things and sat about 500. At first people had never change, such as the blowing of to bring their own seats and lights, but the horn. Fifteen minutes prior to each around 1920 the first pews were built service a long, tin cylindrical horn is and around 1940 electricity came to blown to notify the fellow campers. the campground so people no longer “The mouthpiece resembles a trumhad to bring their lamps or candles,” said Weathers. To encourage a sense of pet or a trombone, but the six foot long horn gradually widens to eight permanency wooden cabins were built inches in diameter,” said Weathers. to replace the tents in 1845. “It’s a traditional way to call people to From the beginning, Indian Field camp meetings.” Campground was part of a Methodist Besides the religious services, fesmovement of expansion. During that tivities include delicious meals three time camp meetings were established times per day and lots of good ole fun. from the New England area to Georgia and their intention was to draw crowds Families who’ve had their roots inter-
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twined at Indian Field Campground for generations look forward to reuniting with old friends. Generally, attendees live within 30 miles of the campground in towns such as Walterboro, Ridgeville and Orangeburg, S.C. However, some people travel from all over the U. S., and on occasion Methodist Bishops from England preach at Indian Field. Weathers said the camp meetings allow people to stay in touch with their past and enjoy food and fellowship while meeting their religious needs, and those three aspects together are why folks keep coming back. “Religious heritage and community heritage – it serves those purposes
without question,” Weathers said. “But there’s also something very special about Indian Field. When you walk past the cabins and head toward the tabernacle in the middle, it’s like you’re passing from one world into another.”
Editor’s note Services begin on the first Sunday in October and everyone is welcome to attend. Occasionally, tours are given to the public. However, Indian Field Campground is not a tourist destination so please respect the sanctity of the grounds.
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