‘Give me that old-time religion:’ Hartselle Camp Meeting returns Sunday

By Staff Reports

Songs of praise and worship will fill the air at the Hartselle Tabernacle June 19-24 as the annual Camp Meeting, a community-wide time of revival services, great food and rich fellowship kicks off.

The rustic Tabernacle has been declared a historic landmark in the state of Alabama. The cedar posts that were first erected in 1899 still support the building today. It was there where Anthony J. Showalter, who wrote the well-known hymn Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, served as music evangelist at Camp Meeting at the turn of the nineteenth century. In the early 1970’s, the Hartselle Camp Meeting Association adopted that song as its official camp anthem.

Now in its 123rd year, the revival event held annual at the open-air Tabernacle began with the purpose of proclaiming faith in Jesus Christ and a lifestyle of scriptural holiness. Every year, young men and women have participated in the camp throughout the week, while the community at large has turned out to participate in the revival services nightly.

Featured speakers include Dr. Herbert Thomas, Tom Tanner, Mason Tanner, Gary and Elizabeth Eckman, and camp president Rob Cain.

The Tabernacle will be the gathering place for the two daily worship services, one at 10:30 a.m. and the second at 7 p.m. Student campers, sixth grade through college, will enjoy fellowship meals, devotionals, Bible studies and recreation time throughout the day.

While the worship services are free and open to the public, student registration for the camp is still open and costs $175. The fee includes lodging, 16 meals, the camp program and transportation to and from off-campus activities. For more information or to register, visit www.hartsellecampmeeting.com.