Did you know that your camp was once a railroad park used as a weekend getaway for citizens of Pittsburgh? This beautiful place we call “Camp Christian” has had several names, such as “Killarney Park”, “Camp Red Feather” and “Penn Mountains”.
In 1906, F.B. Livingston sold a tract of land to Charles Hood, President of the Indian Creek Valley Railway Company. A park with a dance hall, picnic area, two lakes for boating, and overnight accommodations became a reality in 1909. It became known as “Killarney Park.” (Irish: Cill Airne, meaning “The church of the sloes”)
Since the park provided all sorts of recreation, it became a popular place for Pittsburgh residents, and the railroad ran “special excursions.” The railroad went through the park, and there were as high as thirteen coaches full at one time. Mrs. Margaret Harbaugh, was the cook for three years and she would serve as high as 3,000 in one weekend. Homemade ice cream was one of their best sellers.
In 1926, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad bought the park and leased it to a Jewish organization, who renamed it “Camp Red Feather.” It was also known as “Penn Mountains.”
In 1941, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad sold the park to the Christian Churches of Somerset for a summer camp. It was again renamed; this time it was called “Camp Christian.” At that time there was little opportunity, aside from the local Church, that offered Christian training for the great mass of young people in Pennsylvania Churches of Christ/Christian Churches. So, the camp was purchased to provide a place to worship the Lord and to develop and educate youth for Christian service.
The original Millhouse was built in 1906, and was the oldest building on the premises until it was replaced by the current building in 2001. The original entrance steps to the Millhouse can be found directly across the lane from the swimming pool. The original stone landing is now the foundation for a rocker on the grounds near the chapel and is dedicated to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Saylor, two of the original founding members of Camp Christian.
The mission of Camp Christian, is that Jesus Christ shall be exalted as the divine Son of God and Savior of all who believe in and obey Him. The objective to provide a “place” and an “opportunity” … where young people and adults alike can –– as the Psalmist David said in Psalms 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God”.
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