Camp Ground celebrates 207 years, dedicates historical marker

By Haley Mitchell Godwin

Camp Ground Methodist Church, the oldest Methodist congregation in the Alabama Emerald Coast Conference (AECC), was honored with a historical marker on July 21, recognizing its significant place in Alabama’s religious history. The church, which traces its origins back to 1815,  celebrated 207 years of continuous ministry and is the oldest known active church in Crenshaw County as well as the oldest Methodist Congregation in the AECC.

“This marker is so important because it helps preserve the legacy and identity of our church,” said Dunford Cole, pastor of Camp Ground and Rutledge Methodist Churches. Cole has led the congregations for the past 11 years and was instrumental in securing the historical designation.

The process of obtaining the marker was not without challenges. Cole spent nearly a year navigating the bureaucratic requirements, including providing detailed historical records. One particular challenge was ensuring that the marker accurately reflected the church’s origins, being that the current building is across the road from the original site.

“We had to be very careful and thoughtful in how we worded the marker to accurately reflect the church’s origins and evolution over time,” Cole said. “It was important to us that the history be presented sincerely and without any embellishment as it is the land and what those oak trees witnessed that is so historical.”

The church’s history is deeply intertwined with the tradition of lay preachers and circuit riders who journeyed into Alabama to establish churches in the early 1800s. With no church buildings available to the pioneers, early congregations gathered under large trees or constructed brush arbors to hold services. Later camp meetings, akin to revivals, drew in large congregations and were crucial in spreading the gospel and administering sacraments.

As the church evolved, it has remained true to the spirit of those early camp meetings. Today, the congregation still gathers for worship, holding firm to their motto, “Where Everyone is Somebody and Jesus Christ is Lord.”

Placement of the historical marker near where two towering oak trees once sat holds special significance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the congregation was forced to hold services outdoors under the shade of these ancient trees. For many, the trees became a symbol of the church’s resilience and enduring faith, especially during the pandemic, as they had stood tall on the site for as long as anyone could recall.

One of the old trees began to die, leading to the decision to cut it down. The congregation saved the wood shavings from the oak tree, and during the dedication ceremony, Cole placed some of the sawdust around the sign’s footing.

“Those oaks witnessed so much history unfold on this site over the generations,” said Billie Jones, historian of the church. “It’s humbling to think about all the baptisms, weddings and revivals that have taken place in the shadow of these trees.”

Jones praised Cole for his perseverance in securing the historical marker.

“Our church has been built on and updated several times, so the building itself could not receive the marker. But the land that it is built on is what we received the historical marker for, and we were so appreciative of all the hard work he put into it.”

The dedication ceremony for the historical marker featured Dr. Lester Spencer, President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Emerald Coast Provisional Annual Conference of the Global Methodist Church, as the guest speaker.

“My wife and I were honored to join with the great people of Camp Ground Methodist Church to celebrate 207 years of ministry,” Spencer said. “I also enjoyed the opportunity to preach and to be a part of dedicating their new historic marker.”

As the church celebrates its 207th anniversary, the new historical marker stands as a proud reminder of its storied past. Pastor Cole hopes it will inspire younger generations to connect with and preserve the rich heritage of Camp Ground Methodist and Crenshaw County.

“Our history isn’t just something that belongs to the past—it shapes who we are today,” Cole said. “By honoring that history, we’re ensuring it continues to guide and inspire our church community for many years to come.”

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