Asbury Hills Unveils New Lakeside Chapel
June 25, 2012
GREENVILLE, SC – June 25, 2012 – Asbury Hills Camp and Retreat Center unveiled its newest addition, a lakeside chapel, to the public at a dedication ceremony on June 3, 2012. The outdoor chapel provides summer campers and retreat groups at Asbury Hills a gathering place for worship and fellowship large enough to accommodate 220 people. The first wedding has already been scheduled for this fall.
“Our lake chapel will serve as an integral spot for worship, renewal and Christian growth for thousands of youth, families and friends who visit Asbury Hills throughout the year,” noted Arthur Spriggs, Executive Director. “We are incredibly humbled and blessed by the support that has been given so far in making this vision a reality.”
Pictured: Asbury Hills’ new Lakefront Chapel will provide summercampers and retreat groups at Asbury Hills a gathering place for worshipand fellowship large enough to accommodate 220 people.
Many special guests were in attendance, including the very first camp director West Voigt. The United Methodist Greenville District Superintendent, the Reverend Charles Johnson delivered a powerful message on the “Presence of God” in such a tranquil place. Blessings and the Litany of Thanksgiving was led by SC United Methodist Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor. In addition, several board members, volunteers, camp staff, and camp alumni were present. Two special guest were Janet D. Sykora and Lee Derrick, the kids of Sidelle Derrick, a past board member who passed away in 2009. A special plaque was unveiled in memory of Sidelle. She embodied a passion for Asbury Hills and was an integral part of the recent renewal of the Asbury Hills ministry.
With an overall projected cost of $100,000, a fundraising campaign for the chapel began in the fall of 2010. Monetary gifts for the chapel project have been made by various local churches, individual supporters, United Methodist Men & Women’s groups, Sunday school classes, as well as Asbury Hills alumni. Spriggs referred to the ongoing project as a “team effort and a true testament of faith in action.” Minor finishes are still to be made to the chapel pending additional fundraising. To learn more about the opportunities for giving to the project, please visit the “Get Involved” page at www.asburyhills.org.
Since its founding in 1961, Asbury Hills Camp and Retreat Center has served over 75,000 individuals at its now 2,000 acre campgrounds that stretch across the Blue Ridge Mountains. As part of its outdoor ministry, the Center offers a variety of summer camp events and weekend retreats for a variety of age groups, year-round.
To learn more about the lakefront chapel project or Asbury Hills summer camp programs and events, please visit www.asburyhills.org.
