Camp Welfare

Camp Welfare is a religious campground in Fairfield County featuring approximately 100 single-story wooden cabins arranged in a double U shape around a central gathering space. The cabins serve as basic sleeping quarters while cooking takes place outdoors in communal areas.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church established Camp Welfare following the Civil War, with local trustees acquiring the property from L.G.H. McMaster in 1878. The site became an important gathering place for the community to practice their faith traditions.

The annual religious gatherings happen during late August, timed between cotton planting and harvest to fit the local farming calendar. Families gather here to spend time together and strengthen their bonds through shared faith practices.

The site is best visited during the annual August gatherings when the community comes together and the grounds are active. Visiting outside these times requires advance arrangements with community members.

Many families maintain ownership of their specific cabin structures across multiple generations. This long-term connection demonstrates how deeply the ties between family, faith, and place run for those who return here annually.

Location: Fairfield County

GPS coordinates: 34.48970,-80.95110

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:01