"These
are hallowed grounds. You'll find God here. Come walk with Him."
This statement can be found on the Paisano Baptist Encampment's
website. I was fortunate enough to visit the campground the weekend of April
24-26, 2009 for a writing retreat. Its history intrigued me, so I felt this
would be a great topic to share with readers.
Located just outside Alpine on the highway to
Marfa, the encampment has been the local gathering ground for a week of renewal
and inspiration since 1915. The first attendees slept in tents or in bedrolls
on the ground. Meals were served from Army chuck wagons. The picture above is of the cooking staff in 1921.
Meals were eaten under an eating shed, and services and Bible studies were held
under a tin-roofed tabernacle. At the first camps, ranchers, families,
businessmen, preachers, and worshipers sat around a campfire and discussed
expenses. Each gave what they could so that the camp could continue.
In the picture above, also taken in 1921, note that the women and girls wore dresses, and the men dress pants and white shirts.
Eventually families and churches started building cabins. The present tabernacle was built in 1950. At that time water, sewer, and electrical utilities were added, as well as trailer parking areas.
Today an offering is collected at the last service that fully funds the camp. A foundation now helps with expenses outside the budget. A full time manager and assistant oversee camp maintenance. The encampment is also used by other organizations.
In the picture above, also taken in 1921, note that the women and girls wore dresses, and the men dress pants and white shirts.
Eventually families and churches started building cabins. The present tabernacle was built in 1950. At that time water, sewer, and electrical utilities were added, as well as trailer parking areas.
Today an offering is collected at the last service that fully funds the camp. A foundation now helps with expenses outside the budget. A full time manager and assistant oversee camp maintenance. The encampment is also used by other organizations.
The annual encampment takes place in late July. Services begin Sunday evening
and end after breakfast the following Saturday morning. Though the encampment
is run by the Baptist, individuals and churches from other denominations
participate. I've been told that on a warm summer evening, nothing is more
beautiful than voices raised in songs of praise echoing through the mountains.
The sign above greets visitors as they enter the encampment. Below is a picture of some of the cabins at the encampment today. Some are very small, others are larger with bedrooms, kitchens, and modern baths.
The sign above greets visitors as they enter the encampment. Below is a picture of some of the cabins at the encampment today. Some are very small, others are larger with bedrooms, kitchens, and modern baths.
My husband and I stayed in one of the renovated cabins and were very
comfortable. There are very few lights at the encampment, so the star show is
magnificent. A flashlight is needed to navigate from one area to the other.
I hope one day to be able to attend one of the gatherings in July.
The vintage pictures above were taken from
http://texashistory.unt.edu/permalink/meta-pth-43379/ Information on Paisano Encampment was taken from http://www.paisanoencampment.org/
I hope one day to be able to attend one of the gatherings in July.
The vintage pictures above were taken from
http://texashistory.unt.edu/permalink/meta-pth-43379/ Information on Paisano Encampment was taken from http://www.paisanoencampment.org/
