This Week in Texas Methodist History May 26

Fellowship Class of Wharton Methodist Church Announced as Winners of “Name the Camp” Contest, May 1948

The Texas Annual Conference of the MC (South Central Jurisdiction) was a relative latecomer to establishing a conference encampment.  The other annual conferences in Texas all had some such facility before World War II, but not the Texas Conference.

To be sure there was camping for the purpose of spiritual retreat and refreshment but not at a conference-owned facility.  Texas A&M  and Lon Morris hosted summer youth assemblies at various times.   Individual districts also conducted camping programs in a variety of faculties, and the Longview District, led by an enthusiastic young preacher named Chad Murray, seriously considered buying property for district camping use.

Finally though, in the post World War II era, the Conference decided to acquire property for camping use.  The property chosen was in Anderson County just south of the city of Palestine on Highway 294.   It consisted of rolling hills forested with mixed hardwoods and pines.  

In order build support for the project, the appointed Board of Managers conducted a “Name the Camp” contest. 

When Annual Conference met the last week of May 1948, the winner was announced.  The Fellowship Sunday School Class of Wharton Methodist Church had the winning entry, Lakeview.  The name was somewhat ironic since the lake had not yet been constructed.  What was the prize?  A camping experience for up to twenty-five persons at the new facility.