In January of 1969, the sounds heard on the present Camp McPherson site were no more than deer darting through the woods, and squirrels scurrying in search of winter food. The sun rose to chirping and singing of birds. Dusk brought a welcome covering to the nocturnal; the owl; the raccoon and the skunk, filled the night with their own special sound.
A new sound was to be heard on this beautiful 98 acre rolling wooded hill side. A sound that cannot be heard by the natural ear, but it is the still small voice of God. In the spring of 1969 Camp McPherson was purchased for $10,000. The land was advertised as “98 acres of scenic land off Route 2 near Loudonville County Road 337. This land has a productive gas well, small pond, and good water and 40,000 grown pine trees.” Erected in 10 weeks, 10 buildings stand beautifully arranged on the pine covered land in Dogwood-hills country referred to often as the “Little Switzerland of Ohio”. A chapel, 4 dormitories, 2 bathhouses, guest house, pavilion, dining hall and a swimming lake were all constructed. Over the next ten years a 3rd dormitory, workshop, garage, managers house, swimming pool, pool house, chalet, tabernacle, 2nd water well, and an additional 66 adjacent acres were added. The doors were open for the first campers on August 3, 1969.
By 1980 11 full weeks of camp programs were in full motion. 5 of those weeks were Foursquare camps and the other 6 weeks were rentals by various church groups. In 1979 Family Camp consisted of 700 campers on the grounds. It is recorded that 86 converts, 88 Holy Spirit Baptisms, and 69 called into full-time ministry. There were 155 Volunteer counselors and leaders that participated. Volunteer labor was also necessary for regular maintenance of building and grounds.
For the last 40 years Camp McPherson has seen its share of both tragedy and miracles. Immediately following the erecting of the first ten buildings, a storm hit the grounds of the camp on July 4th, 1969, which caused that area of the State to be declared a national disaster area! In June of 1981 around 10 P.M. a devastating tornado swept through the camp leaving hundreds of fallen trees. As the path of the storm was clearly visible, it weaved its way around the main buildings, as well as the area encircling the tabernacle on the hill. There were 180 young people nestled in the tabernacle at the time of the storm; their schedule release had been delayed 15 minutes from the evening service, or they would have been dismissed and making their way down the hill directly into the storm. Miraculously very minimal structural damage was done during both these events. It was as though God’s hand had covered all the buildings.
A similar incident occurred during SR High Summer Camp in 2006. 150 teens took shelter in the shower houses while a tornado skipped across the grounds topping trees, throwing canoes, and creating a raging river from the hillside. Despite being without water, sewer, and electricity, the power of God and his urgency to impact this generation did not go unnoticed. Many students testified that it was by far one of the most powerful camps to have experienced. As you walk the grounds today, you will notice the empty spots of the strategically up rooted and broken trees that serve as a reminded of His miracles, promises and God’s care for his people.
About Us