Great Moments
in Dimock Camp Meeting History
20th and 21st centuries

1901 The first camp meeting season of the new century sparked a glowing assessment of the goings on at Dimock in the Montrose newspaper of September 6th: "One of the secrets of success here is the singular religious aim of the meeting which proves that the plain gospel has not lost its power over the multitudes." But, at the other end of the spectrum on that day, U.S. President William McKinley is shot at Buffalo, N.Y., and dies on September 14th.

1917 On April 2nd, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany, and it concurs. It is supposed to be a war that ends all wars. An armistice is signed November 11, 1918. At the 1917 camp meeting at Dimock, Rev. Richard H. Gilbert of Berwick spoke on "Germany and the Germans and Why We Must Fight."

1918 Perhaps because the Great War had left Americans with a new sense of their own mortality, some 10,000 persons flocked to this year's Dimock camp meeting. It very likely created Dimock's worst-ever traffic jam as local newspapers cited the same official report of 1,455 cars, 588 horses and three motorcycles on the grounds. 1925 the 50th anniversary of the first camp meeting held on these Dimock grounds is celebrated with a camp meeting week from July 30th through August 9th. The Rev. George O. Beers conducts the week's first service.

1940 Dimock's present chapel, where Sunday evening services are held, was built almost entirely by Wilkes Barre District pastors of the Wyoming Conference with a little help from a few laypersons who generously donated their labor. The chapel was dedicated on July 14th by Rev. George M. Bell, Wilkes Barre District Superintendent.

1941-1945 America is involved in World War II. Methodist Rural Life Institutes and youth camps become a fixture on the Dimock grounds. However, with the addition of Sky Lake by the Wyoming Conference, youth camps eventually end at Dimock. Also, following the war, the larger Methodist Church plays an important role in bringing about a World and National Council of Churches and the ecumenical flavor is reflected on the grounds here in subsequent programming that brings in persons of varying faith backgrounds.

1950 The 75th anniversary of the first camp meeting held on these Dimock grounds is celebrated with a series of Sunday meetings. July 16th is a particular big day with the Rev. Robert Morris of Chicago, who had been here before in the 1930's, preaching with some of that "old-time fervor" at 11am, 2:30pm, and 8pm.

1954 On October 15th, Hurricane Hazel makes a run through the area of the Dimock grounds, forcing the eventual demolition of one cottage.

1969 On July 20th, the U.S. puts the first man on the moon - Neil Armstrong. On that same day, the third Sunday evening service of the season, Dimock also tries something a little different with its programming. Roman Catholic Father Frank Campbell, who teaches at the Pope Pius Seminary in Dalton, delivered the message.

1977 The 100th anniversary of Dimock's original charter is celebrated with both Sunday evening services throughout the summer as well as a weeklong centennial camp meeting that features Methodist Bishop James Ault on August 14th.

2002 The 125th anniversary of Dimock's original charter is celebrated with services on nine consecutive Sunday evenings. On July 14th, a Founders Day program pays tribute to the Rev. Paul Hulslander, and a few cottages are open to the public That evening the hymnwriter P.P Bliss is brought back to life by the Rev. Thomas Jacobs, a pastor from State College, along with the All for ONE gospel quartet and a parade of banners from supporting churches.