Camp Meetings

The old Primitive Baptists and their churches were very unique, to say the least. From weeklong camp meetings to the brass spittoons conveniently located at the end of each pew, these churches and their members certainly create some intrigue.

The camp meeting began with the early pioneers and their need for religious services. Early on, these settlers had no physical building in which to attend church. They would simply hold services in a designated area at a designated time. Like a modern revival, camp meetings would last for days. Living more than a few miles away from the meeting location meant a rough horse and buggy ride or either a long walk back and forth each day. Rather than endure these daily journeys, many camped out for the meetings duration, thus the name of camp meetings. 

Later on, after actual churches had been built, the camp meeting tradition continued and much of the preaching was held inside. In some more affluent areas, the luxury of outhouses were even added.

There would often be several preachers at these camp meetings and often each would speak for hours. As soon as one was finished preaching, another one started. As I mentioned, some of the more modern camp meetings were held inside. Not that the number of speakers was limited, but the seating in the picture was found behind the pulpit of an abandoned Primitive Baptist church. I can just imagine four sweaty, tired men sitting back there waiting for their turn to talk and yell about fire and brimstone. I can picture them dozing off but giving an occasional reassuring sign to the congregation by hollering “Amen!”.

One of my favorite jaw flapping buddies once told me that he remembered the camp meetings that were held at the church just up the road from where I live. He said that people would come from as far as 20 or so miles to attend. The attendees would from a large circle with their wagons and the camping area was inside this ring (much like cowboys would do when herding cattle across the country).

Primitive Baptists, or Hard Shells as some called them, differed from place to place. In my area they dipped snuff and chewed tobacco in church, hence the spittoons at the end of each pew (I can imagine that one’s spitting abilities could be judged by the amount of spit that adorned their pew neighbor’s shirt!). Back to the variances. Primitive Baptists used real wine for communion; however some members took this a bit to the extreme. As my above mention buddy once said “Some of em communed every day! Several times a day!”

The last service held at the Primitive Baptist Church up the road from where I live was a funeral service for a Mr. Wells in the 70’s. After the death of the last living church member, the church was simply forgotten. It remained as a sort of time capsule for over forty years; pews, chairs, altar and spittoons arranged as if service were soon to be held. In 2010 the church began to fall in. Thankfully, the items inside were rescued and given out to family members of those buried there.

These items are now sacred pieces of history to those that posses them. Although these things will not last throughout time, there are memories and stories that can be preserved forever. One such little story includes another unique aspect of the Primitive Baptists as well as some mischievous little boys. Stay tuned!