Shady Grove Campground

Following the United States Civil War, newly freed slaves expressed their joy and thanks to God in many ways. One such way was at camp meeting. According to local tradition, Shady Grove was started shortly after the Civil War by Ceasar Wolfe, an ex-slave and this writer's great great-grandfather. Wolf persuaded other ex-slaves to help a rice farmer gather his crop before it was destroyed by an approaching storm. To express his appreciation the farmer, S.M. Knight gave them the land to be used exclusively for religious purposes. As the story goes; "While on their way to service on Sunday, they were caught in a rain storm. They stopped under a shade tree for shelter. Mr. S.M. Knight, the rice plantation owner, approached them and said to Ceasar Wolfe, 'If you will gather this rice crop, I will give you this spot of land as a place to worship.' The tree stood near his rice field. Ceasar was very happy to hear such good news, and he persuaded the other ex-slaves help gather the rice crop before the storm. The women tucked their skirts; the men rolled up their pants and began to work. In a short while the rice was cut and stacked." The spot was given to them with the understanding that it would be used only for religious services. the group soon built a bush arbor and held services there for a long time. They finally decided to name the spot Shady Grove Campground, after the shade tree under which they were sheltered and prayed. This plot of land was deeded to them. Later the people saw the need to organize and build a church. Mr. Jim Smith and Mrs. Susie Jones (African Americans) gave them the land where Shady Grove Church and Cemetery now stand. Shady Grove Church became a product of Shady Grove Campground.The campground consists of a tabernacle, or open-air arbor that is surronded by small makeshift 'huts' or 'tents' that originally had dirt floors and now have floors made of wood or cement. Original small tents have been replaced with larger buildings. the tabernacle is the only original building. It has been renovated several times. Initially the camp meeting began on the first Sunday in October and lasted one week. Now, the meetings beging on the third Sunday in October and end on the fourth Sunday in October. Shady Grove Campground is six times Indian Field Campground in Dorchester County and is less than a tenth of a mile from the Ornageburg County Line, off of U.S. 178 South.


Written by,
Alin S. Rigby

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