This tradition of camp meeting with members of many Methodist churches coming together from throughout the county for a week of worship has faithfully taken place for the last 218 years.
Although the dates have been changed through the years from the very early years in October when families traveled by horse and buggy, to August and finally to the present mid July week; the recent changes were to accommodate the earlier school opening now in August. In the old days, they brought the cows and chickens as well as whatever was needed for a week. Some families still have “tents” (family buildings) were they gather with some still spending the night in the male and female dormitories housed in the tents. Although the common restroom/shower facilities are still available, a few tents now have an onsite bathroom and shower. Most of the tents still are as they were for all of the years of camp meeting — open air with fans as is the Tabernacle where services are held. Cooks for the family tents prepare a large variety of family style meals with delicious desserts and lots of iced tea. Fellowship and worship without all the frills and luxuries we have grown used to give the attendees much time to focus and concentrate on spiritual renewal and quality family time often including their extended family and friends.
The original Nease Tent was built in 1908 or 1909 by John Robert, Frederick and Angus Nease, brothers of the Rev. Thad I. Nease. John Robert and Elizabeth Dasher Nease had a son and four daughters who took part in camp meeting. They were: Roy and Ora Nease Dasher, Lee and Mattie Nease Dugger, Billy and Amelia Nease Dasher, Lovic and Ruth Nease and Anna Nease Rahn. Their children began tenting at an early age: Rabun and Harold Dasher, Eugene Dugger, Mazie Dugger Arnsdorff, and Blanche and Loy Dasher. Others who tented there included: Hortense Nease, daughter of Jasper and Essie Nease; Eunice Zipperer Ambrose, daughter of Bessie Nease Zipperer; Alma Bird, Lillie Ackerman, and Rev. Corley Nease, all children of Rev. Thad Nease; Mel and Lelia Nease; and Alice Nease Zipperer. As the children of John Robert Nease passed away, the tent was continued by Woodrow and Eunice Zipperer Ambrose and Rabun and Evelyn Z. Dasher. The only great-granddaughter still tenting is Shirley Dasher Palmer along with her husband Francis and daughters: Tonya and husband Rev. Chance Ward and Jincey and husband Jason Hinely and their children. The old Nease tent to the right of the tabernacle was given back to the Trustees as it deteriorated and Shirley and her family a few years ago built a modern air conditioned metal building rather than a traditional wooden one, on a new site on the left side of the campground.
The Rahn and Exley Tents are close together on the front of the Camp Ground to the left side of the Tabernacle, near Laurel Street. The adults in the photograph shown here are the children of Angus Hamilton Exley, Charles Nesbit Exley, Abner Lovick Exley and George Quantock Rahn. Angus Hamilton Exley, Cora A. Exley Rahn, Charles Nesbit Exley and Abner Lovick Exley are the children of Sophie Naomi Rahn and Francis Sheck Exley. Angus Hamilton Exley married Tallulah R. Rahn first and Nollie Bird second. Their children in the photo are Dreta, Clifton, Valree, Martha, Vera, Ruth and Mattie. Charles Nesbit Exley married Stella Alberta Dasher and their children in the picture are Mell, Mark, Elbert, Ray, Nona, Lollie, Blanche and Lovick. Elmon, Cora and Lucille in the photo are the children of Myra E. Pace and Abner Lovick Exley. George Quantock Rahn married Cora Ashton Exley and their children in the photo are Harris, Gracie, Artis and Kenneth. A good many of the younger generations of the Rahns and a few of the Exleys still tent during Camp Meeting. A few enjoy daytime meals, fellowship and worship but drive home to sleep. That was not possible in the days before automobiles.
The 219th Annual Effingham County Methodist Camp Meeting begins July 17 with a service at 7:30 p.m. Guest preacher for camp Meeting is Dr. John R. Stephens. Music will be provided by pianist Ralph Long and song leader Keith Martin. On Saturday July 18 there will be 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. services. Sunday school will be held at 10 a.m. on July 19, followed by the morning service at 11 a.m. Premier Quartet will be featured at 6:30 p.m. with the evening service at 7:30 p.m. The Monday through Wednesday schedule will be morning services at 11 a.m. (in the dining hall) and 7:30 p.m. evening services.
Organized activities are offered for the children including camp available by registration. Call Rev. Chance Ward at 754-6646 for registration, cost or further information for children’s camp July 19-21 for rising third-fifth graders. Youth camp for rising sixth-12th through 12th graders will be held July 16-19 and you may contact Ty LaValley at 754-6646 for registration, cost and other information.
Meals are offered daily with a one day advance reservation. Contact Patsy Usher for meal schedules, fees and reservations at 826-2267 or 657-9253.
The Methodists extend an invitation for all denominations to join them during the week whenever possible. You will be made to feel welcome and no doubt will enjoy the fellowship, hymn singing, jubilation and good old fashioned preaching while receiving a wonderful share of that “old-time religion.”
This article was written by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society. Many thanks to all who contributed. If you have comments, photos or information to share contact her at 754-6681 or e-mail: susanexley@historiceffinghamsociety.org
