Old Lebanon Camp Meeting
Abstracted from article appearing in Choctaw Plaindealer, 1992

        The Old Lebanon Church and campground was founded by Rev. William A. Gray in 1840. It is located three miles south of Chester and three miles west of Ackerman.
        Original membership consited of John Pilcher from Salem Church, Union District, South Carolina; Elizabeth Pilscher, John Collins, Rebecca Collins, Union District, South Carolina; Archibald Gordon, from Cane Creek, South Carolina; William and Jane Smith, Melinda Gordon and their servant Sarah, from Mt. Pleasant, Chester County, South Carolina; David and nancy Huffman, David and Elizabeth Boyd, all from Mayhew, Oktibbeha Co, MS; William, Nancy and Ann McMillan of Lebanon, Fairfield County, South Carolina.
        After organization, the first elders of the church were: John Pilcher, William Smith and David Boyd. Other substantial members were William and james Love, James Cameron and Joseph Bowen. Rev. L. B. Gaston was the moderator in 1884.
        Outstanding men who have filled the pulpit of Lebanon Presbyterian included Rev. A. H. Mecklin, Rev. H. Y. Bardwell, Rev. J. H. Mecklin, Rev. Robert Mecklin, Rev. Alexander, Rev. J. C. Stewart, Rev. S. H. McBride, Rev. Claude Calcote, Rev. Bert Wilkinson, Rev. Clarence Calcote, Rev. Cobb.
        John and Elizabeth Pilcher deeded five acres of land for the church and cemetery in 1850 to John Collins, James Love and James Cork, who were trustees at that time. In 1889, S. E. Moss deeded an additional plot of land consisting of over three acres to James McGovern, E. Love, r. H. Kilpatrick and T. J. Boone, Elders.
        Because the county was thinly populated in early years, the pioneers felt the need for an encampment to hold a protracted meeting for themselves and their slaves. Tents were erected around Lebanon Church for this purpose.
        As a meeting place for worship, the tent holders moved their families, cooking utensils, and bedding into the tents. Lighting was provided by candles and lamps, candles being molded by the ladies.
        As with South Union Campground, Lebanon was torn up by a cyclone on Apr 22, 1883. After the destruction of the church, T. J. Boone and E. K. Hillyer were appoointed to look after the church materials until they were ready to rebuild. Until the church was rebuilt, services were temporarily held in Chester Baptist church while other arrangements were made.
        Some names found in the list of members that have worshipped at Lebanon Church Camp Meeting are: James and Elihu Love, T. J. Robinson, E. K. Hillyer, Samuel W. Aston, E. S. Drane, W. A. Gordon, S. J. Watson, Dr. James McGovern, Eunice Moss, John Kilpatrick, G. W. Wise, J. A. R. Shannon, J. T. Shannon, J. V. Bardwell, Dr. John Boyd, T. D. Boyd, John and Whitson George, Mary Rabun, G. W. Burkes, W. H. and Sam Burkes, Robert Maddox, Dr. Joe Robinson, Mrs. J. C. Cork, Misses Isabella and Maggie Cork, W. M. Back, Dock Crow, Jimmie Ballard, Dave Shannon, David Wise, James Wise, Richard Bostick, Lafayette Robinson, Jas. Drane, H. B. Moss, Carrie Quinn, Tina Bruce, C. I. Cork, and J. W. Cobb.
        Also among the members can be found the following names: Robert Sisson, Emily Finley, A. F. McKeigney, J. D. Perkins, Fowler Bowie, J. M. Irving, Rosa Gaston, John Ward, Robert Ward, Jane Burkes, Sarah Hemphill, Dr. A. J. Hemphill, Miss E. Stewart, Mrs. F. Liddell, Mrs. F. Drane, J. C. Cork, W. T. Dawson.
        There have been scores of others attending the camp meetings coming on down to present day campers which include the names of Cork Edwards, family of Joe Robinson, Meek Gaston, Arch Moss, Sam Moss, Mrs. Geoge Love, Mrs. Press Irving, John Blaine, Gene Stewart, Felt Montgomery, Boyd Robinson, Mrs. Carrie Hood, Mrs. Viola Cooper, and J. C. Stephenson.

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