MAHAFFEY CAMP ROCKS
You could call it an Alliance heritage site. For generations of Alliance families and friends, the 45 acres comprising Mahaffey Camp and Conference Center in central Pennsylvania are sacred ground.
“Since the camp’s founding in 1894, thousands of pastors and missionaries attending here received their call to serve in ministry,” says Nancy Depp, Mahaffey’s program coordinator. “Every summer during family camp alone, more than 100 individuals make first-time commitments to Christ or receive a call to ministry. During our youth camps this year, nearly 40 percent of the campers made a spiritual decision.”
Written in Stone
Alliance founder A. B. Simpson must have had Mahaffey in mind when in the late 1800s he envisioned a worldwide movement of God through Christian camping. Mahaffey’s spiritual legacy reflects that vision—a storied heritage now memorialized in stone.
As of late spring 2009, 10 large boulders grace the campground’s rustic acreage; each bears a Scripture verse sandblasted into its rough surface. Unearthed last winter during Mahaffey’s new sewage system installation, the large rocks weigh between 280 pounds and 28 tons. “I’ve always felt that this campground is holy ground,” says Pat Miller, 75, a Mahaffey Camp regular since age 8. “The Scripture rocks are a special verification to me.”
Each Scripture-inscribed boulder is also a memorial paid for by individuals and families whose lives are intertwined with the camp’s vibrant, multigenerational ministries. “We had a verse inscribed on one of the stones in memory of my wife Esther’s parents, who pastored churches in the Western Pennsylvania District,” says Bob Fetherlin, vice president for International Ministries at the U.S. C&MA National Office. “It’s a very meaningful opportunity, in light of the time and effort they invested in the camp each summer and how Mahaffey has impacted our lives.”
Yet to fully grasp the significance of the camp’s boulder memorials is also to know the story behind the camp’s new sewage system; its installation, after all, is how the big rocks were discovered.
Building Moratorium
For decades, Mahaffey’s aging facilities, including 189 private cottages built in the early 1920s and 1930s, utilized a dated sewage system that included more than 100 holding tanks. Because that system was out of compliance with new regulations, 15 years ago the Department of Environmental Protection issued a building moratorium on the property. Without a new system, no improvements could be made to the camp’s crumbling infrastructure.
For the next 10 years, camp officials made repeated attempts to work with the local municipal authority to obtain a system up to code. “About six years ago, we came to a standstill in the negotiations,” says Ed Depp, Mahaffey Camp’s developer/director and Nancy’s husband. “Our board wrote a letter to state officials, describing the stalemate. They responded, encouraging the local authorities to work with us.” The state then offered an incentive—a low-interest project loan for a new system.
“I call it the miracle solution!” says Ed, who adds that digging the new lines commenced in December 2008.
‘Built on the Rock‘
Nancy recalls the cold, snowy day in early February 2009 when she saw the large stones for the first time. “I was looking out of our kitchen window as they were running the new lines and saw that they were unearthing a rock larger than our minivan! I said to Ed, ‘We’ve got to keep these rocks and use them in our camp landscaping—they’re awesome!’”
The camp staff later agreed that inscribing a Bible verse on each boulder would serve as a fitting memorial. “We contacted a local gentleman who has a sandblasting company,” Nancy explains. “He agreed to inscribe Scriptures on the rocks. By late spring, he completed work on the boulders; summer camp interns painted the Scriptures so that the words would stand out.”
Mahaffey’s boulder memorials have already made an impact among campers. “During youth camp and horse camp, the kids made an activity out of memorizing the Scriptures,” she adds.
Witness to the Community
Meanwhile, work on the sewer lines was completed in October 2009, and the camp’s building moratorium is now lifted. “We’ve started building new facilities, including a new restroom complex in our RV area,” says the grateful camp director.
“Esther and I returned there this summer after many years of not having seen the camp,” Fetherlin adds. “We were very impressed by all the positive changes: the renovation of the kitchen/dining facility, the many renovated cottages. All the camp upgrades were great. Certainly the installation of a sewage system is a huge step forward; the camp is now connecting with its surrounding community in more intentional ways, and it is now used year-round for retreats and other events.”
As for local community members, “they’ve been excited to see the developments here, the progress we’ve made. People have even stopped in to take photos of the Scripture rocks,” says Ed. In addition to the entrance boulder, six are at the camp’s main tabernacle, two are positioned across from the camp office, one is at the bell tower and one (the Fetherlin’s memorial boulder) will stand at the entrance to the youth tabernacle.
“The rocks are a blessing, a testimony to Mahaffey Camp’s rich heritage,” Nancy concludes. “Thousands attending here since the camp’s founding have been called to serve in ministry, and these Scripture-inscribed stones are a wonderful reminder of that legacy for generations to come.”
Original painting of Mahaffey Camp dining hall by John R. Miller. Printed with permission.
Janet Root is a writer and editor at the U.S. C&MA National Office in Colorado Springs, Colo. She is among the more than 50 percent of those in active ministry today who accepted Christ at a Christian camp.
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Another side of the story… Ed Depp’s “miracle” caused much heartache for many of the cottage owners. The tap-in fees only benefitted the local authorities so of course they were willing to work with the camp. Additionally, many of those cottage owners, most of whom are elderly and have had the place in the family for years
could not bear the cost of tap in and the monthly fee which has to be paid even if the place is occupied for just days out of every year. I personally witnessed one couple faced with the sad decision to “give up the place because we just can’t afford it.” I understand that the camp wanted to upgrade and improve, but was this the best decision for long-time, faithful constituents? I wonder… Sincerely, Marcia Alexander
Mahaffey Camp has many memories for those of us privileged to attend from an early age. I have a picture of my twin sister and I in front of the “youth tab” at age 22 months; I am now 59 years old. Although I have not attended every year, I make it back there as often as I can. While the recent improvements have been greatly appreciated, they haven’t changed the precious spirit felt when entering the grounds. I do feel bad for those who are faced with having to sell their cottages. I am aware of the fees and find them excessive (I actually pay less monthly for a full-size home). This must also impact the prices for dormitory rooms and meals, as the system is hooked up to them as well. Is there not possibly some way to address this issue, so that people can retain their property, attend camp functions and enjoy the spiritual benefits Mahaffey has provided for so many years?
Dear Janet, Are you sure that the painted picture is of the dining hall? I looks like the main tabernacle with the book store at the one end. I spent many happy days at Mahaffey as a child, as a teen, and then as a young parent. I was baptized in the river across the road.
Having moved to a different C&MA district, we raised our children at another Alliance camp, but the memories of Mahaffy will always be with me.
I read once that Mahaffey was the largest camp meeting in the world. Is that true?
Sarah Williams
This is an awesome article. I like reading about history such as this. I Praise God for all of those who have worked hard on the grounds to keep them beautiful. The sewage project was an important item that needed addressed so that the camp could continue to grow. I especially Thank God for Ed and Nancy Depp. I believe they have been following God’s plan with the Camp. Also, those on the Camp’s Board of Directors they are doing a great job at keeping in touch with God and what He would have them do to help improve the Camp! Every day I go past the Camp Grounds and even though I have lived in Mahaffey my whole life I still look up into the Camp Grounds and Thank God and can’t wait for another exciting Camping Season.
Thank You!
God Bless.