"I'm against sin. I'll kick it as long as I've got a foot, and I'll fight it as
long as I have a fist. I'll butt it as long as I've got a head. I'll bite it as long
as I've got a tooth. When I'm old and fistless and footless and toothless,
I'll gum it till I go home to Glory and it goes home to perdition."
-Reverend Billy Sunday
Evangelist Billy Sunday
(1862-1935)
Photograph courtesy/Wikipedia
Thousands of words have been written about Pitman (New Jersey)'s heritage and
early formation through the Pitman Grove Camp Meeting that dominated the early
settling of the area. Many stories have been told of those historic sessions in the
center of the Grove during the summer Camp Meeting sessions.
True it was, that hundreds of sincere people drove to Pitman to live in
summer homes on the twelve avenues during the religious meetings.
Since that time, scores of those homes have been winterized and many
others have slowly disappeared.
summer homes on the twelve avenues during the religious meetings.
Since that time, scores of those homes have been winterized and many
others have slowly disappeared.
The Camp Meeting was a big thing in those days-as a matter of fact, it
was the biggest activity in the area-and religious followers flocked to
the grounds to hear the religious leaders of that day who were presented.
Outstanding preachers and musical leaders were on the program each year.
was the biggest activity in the area-and religious followers flocked to
the grounds to hear the religious leaders of that day who were presented.
Outstanding preachers and musical leaders were on the program each year.
The appearance of evangelist Billy Sunday to the big Sunday program of
the Camp, was probably the greatest highlight to the colorful sessions and
he brought with him a terrific following. As a youngster, I remember one
of these programs. The entire center of the Grove including the auditorium
and seats that extended almost to the front porches of every home
around the circle were filled with people.
the Camp, was probably the greatest highlight to the colorful sessions and
he brought with him a terrific following. As a youngster, I remember one
of these programs. The entire center of the Grove including the auditorium
and seats that extended almost to the front porches of every home
around the circle were filled with people.
They did it up right in those days for the leading musical directors were
also on hand and of course, the plea for financial assistance was quite
extensive. If they didn't get enough, the baskets would go around again.
Straw was laid all over the ground in the main auditorium during those
sessions and the boys who cleaned up afterwards, were mighty happy
to get that assignment. Often they found change that had been
dropped by people into the hay during services.
also on hand and of course, the plea for financial assistance was quite
extensive. If they didn't get enough, the baskets would go around again.
Straw was laid all over the ground in the main auditorium during those
sessions and the boys who cleaned up afterwards, were mighty happy
to get that assignment. Often they found change that had been
dropped by people into the hay during services.
Many older men around today will remember their chance to pick up a
few dollars by selling song books at the services. Most of the books were
published by the Hall-Mack Company and the song service was usually taken
from those books. If you really wanted to sing, you had to purchase a book.
few dollars by selling song books at the services. Most of the books were
published by the Hall-Mack Company and the song service was usually taken
from those books. If you really wanted to sing, you had to purchase a book.
Musically, several outstanding figures were known to the Pitman Camp followers.
Dr. Adam Geibel, a blind composer, stood out in my memory. Dr. Geibel one night,
composed a song during the evening and the entire audience sang the finished
product before the evening was over. It was truly a wonderful experience.
Dr. Adam Geibel, a blind composer, stood out in my memory. Dr. Geibel one night,
composed a song during the evening and the entire audience sang the finished
product before the evening was over. It was truly a wonderful experience.
Many of you will remember the beautiful Hymn, "In The Garden"; this was written
by C. Austin Miles, who lived on Laurel Avenue in Pitman during the summer months
and Mr. Miles was also seen around the Camp on many occasions.
by C. Austin Miles, who lived on Laurel Avenue in Pitman during the summer months
and Mr. Miles was also seen around the Camp on many occasions.
Homer Rodeheaver and many other outstanding musical leaders
were also a part of the Pitman Grove Camp Meeting.
were also a part of the Pitman Grove Camp Meeting.
When the area began to build up around the Pitman Grove, there were efforts to
incorporate the Borough of Pitman and in 1905, the Borough was organized with
Mayor Joseph M. McCowan as the town's first Mayor. As a high school boy,
I used to visit former Mayor McCowan who was then reaching his 90th year.
He was a grand old man and loved to muse over the early formation of Pitman
and the problems of getting the organization completed.
incorporate the Borough of Pitman and in 1905, the Borough was organized with
Mayor Joseph M. McCowan as the town's first Mayor. As a high school boy,
I used to visit former Mayor McCowan who was then reaching his 90th year.
He was a grand old man and loved to muse over the early formation of Pitman
and the problems of getting the organization completed.
As could be expected, there was uncertainty between some of the Camp Meeting
Leaders and the new Borough Movement. In a compromising mood, according
to McCowan, the first Council members were very heavily representative of
the Camp Meeting Association and this continued for a number of years.
Leaders and the new Borough Movement. In a compromising mood, according
to McCowan, the first Council members were very heavily representative of
the Camp Meeting Association and this continued for a number of years.
Many pieces of ground were given the Borough over the years
with tight stipulations concerning their use.
with tight stipulations concerning their use.
As the years passed, the religious programs and habits of worshippers changed
and the original Camp Meeting concept ceased to have the same effect. The
resultant demise of the Association brought about the sale of the grounds
by the Association to the Borough.
and the original Camp Meeting concept ceased to have the same effect. The
resultant demise of the Association brought about the sale of the grounds
by the Association to the Borough.
A recent tour through the area brought back many memories of this town's
beginning. The beautiful trees and sloping ground remain peaceful spots and
as some houses have been recently demolished, the open spaces in the
area are taking on even more beauty.
beginning. The beautiful trees and sloping ground remain peaceful spots and
as some houses have been recently demolished, the open spaces in the
area are taking on even more beauty.
We believe with some very careful planning this area can once again be a focal
point of our town and there are many people in the town who sincerely hope so.
point of our town and there are many people in the town who sincerely hope so.
"It Happened Right Here In Pitman"
From the book, "Thru The Knot Hole:
The Touch Of Len Eckman"
Compiled and Edited by
Sue Eckman Brown M.Ed.
Charles A. Parker, Ph.D.
(C.1983)
SLACK Incorporated
6900 Grove Rd.
Thorofare, New Jersey 08086
From the book, "Thru The Knot Hole:
The Touch Of Len Eckman"
Compiled and Edited by
Sue Eckman Brown M.Ed.
Charles A. Parker, Ph.D.
(C.1983)
SLACK Incorporated
6900 Grove Rd.
Thorofare, New Jersey 08086
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