If you’re a baby-boomer who grew up in the rural South, you may have memories of the old-time camp meetings. I have a vague recollection of a cluster of tents on the state fairgrounds in Birmingham, Alabama. I think my parents took me there twice. My strongest impression — because I was probably six or seven — is of crowds of kids roaming around outside. While our parents sang and listened to sermons, we had fun chasing each other and gorging on Sno-Cones and cotton candy.

This meeting was something of a tradition, I suppose. But it pales in comparison to a certain Methodist-based tradition, located between Stockbridge and McDonough at the intersection of Highway 155 and Campground Road. Shingleroof Campground is only about ten years younger than the founding of the county itself. For a week in late summer (timed to coincide with the farmers’ laying-by of crops), families lived and worshipped here. It would have been the social highlight of the year for most country folks in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Originating as outdoor meetings under brush arbors, it evolved as its members eventually built small cabins, which are referred to as “tents” to this day. Indeed, Shingleroof gets its name from the wooden shingles on these old tents and on its open-air tabernacle, built in 1873. Many of the founding families descended from Europeans who were persecuted for their beliefs in their home countries. Over the decades the grounds have also been used for family reunions, veterans’ reunions, and meetings of civic groups.

I can picture some early Shingleroof scenes: people listening to sermons, singing hymns, carrying water, preparing food, buying snacks from the general store, and socializing with the opposite sex. Doubtless some young people must have met their future mates there.

Here’s an example of a tradition-within-a-tradition: In 1902 the Old Hotel was built. It served as very primitive lodgings for those who had no tents of their own. This building was replaced in 1944 by the “new” Old Hotel (but note that it kept the same name). During this same year, other improvements were made to the property, not the least of which were electricity and running water. So since that time perhaps the Shingleroof experience has been less like the “roughing it” of the earlier days. But the basic experience has not altered.

You can speak to any of the families who attend this event, and somewhere in the conversation the word “tradition” always comes up. The dictionary defines it as “a continuing pattern of cultural beliefs or practices within a community.” But perhaps Shingleroof’s own website defines it best: “This is a place where the past and present meet and merge … a time to come together apart from the distractions of modern conveniences and comforts to worship and fellowship together as a congregation and family.” The Shingleroof tradition is just one example of the practices that hold our community together and make it stronger.

Happy Bicentennial, everyone.

{sources: shingleroof.net; Historic Henry County by Michael Reeves and Henry County Georgia: The Mother of Counties by Vessie Thrasher Rainer}

Kaye West recently retired from the Henry County Library System. She enjoys reading, taking daily walks, and spending time with friends.  She lives in McDonough with her husband.