Upon returning from the horrors of the Second World War in Europe, a young Colonel Alfred Garr was haunted by memories of bombed-out cities and the desperate needs at home, of fatherless children and widowed mothers. In the midst of these emotions of grief and compassion, God planted the seed of Camp Lurecrest – a shelter where young lives could be renewed.
In 1947, Alfred presented his “summer camp” idea to the members of Garr Memorial Church in Charlotte, NC. The church, founded by Alfred’s father, Dr. A.G. Garr, Sr. in May of 1930, supported the idea of a summer camp as a "home mission." So Alfred bought 33 acres at Lake Lure for $6,500 with the help of a real estate salesman who provided a personal loan. In 1948, Camp Lurecrest opened with 75 boys.
That first summer, as Alfred related, "We had two dormitories and a mess hall, which could seat about 120. We put up a tent 40 feet wide and 70 feet long and that’s where we held our summer services for the young people.” (This tent was located near the site of the existing craft shed and the old Ranch House)
“The next year, with more buildings to house campers, Lurecrest included girls.
In 1951, Alfred married Meryle Irvy. Meryle joined Alfred in full time service with the camp and served as associate camp director, doing administrative work during the winter months and handling food service during the camping season.
The camp grew, driven primarily by the most pressing need felt at the time. Several years after the camp opened, church member, Mr. E.J. McSwain provided an intial $100 challenge gift to have a pool built. The camp had some lake frontage, but it had a 90-foot drop-off. The staff was trucking campers 5 miles to a safe place to swim. "In 1948 we swam at the lake beachfront two times a day." The congregation met McSwain’s challenge, but then Alfred realized he had no place to put the pool. That led to a 3-acre expansion, again thanks to a loan from the real estate salesman. And later, for $12,500, the camp bought over 60 acres with 1,600 feet on the lake.
In 1993 The Garr Memorial Church Board of Directors deeded the Camp completely to Alfred and the Board of Trustees of the newly formed, non-profit, Camp Lurecrest Ministries, Inc. With new leadership and continuing dedication the camp continued to thrive. In June of 1997, the Lord gave Alfred “unquestioned direction” to call Jerry and Charlotte Martin to head the ministry of Camp Lurecrest. Alfred and Meryle retired from active service in 1998 after 50 years of service to their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Alfred passed away at age 93, in November of 2004. Alfred lived a life of deep love and devotion to Jesus Christ. He was a man of strict discipline, unquestioned integrity, and pristine, Christ-like character. He was a man of “profound humility and ferocious resolve.” His work ethic will be difficult, if not impossible to match by anyone. He was known and loved by many from Lake Lure to Charlotte and throughout the US. He was the consummate “gentleman” and his life made Jesus Christ supremely attractive to others.
Meryle lives in Charlotte and continues her service both to international as well as regional Christian Camping.
In May, 2004, the 56-year-old dining hall and kitchen were lost to a fire. Over 100 professionals and volunteers quickly remodeled the existing gymnasium, and campers ate their meals there in the summer of 2004. Since then, the facility has been converted into a modern, permanent, new dining hall and commercial kitchen. Camp Lurecrest continues its efforts to update and improve its facilities. With the completion of a Master Site Plan, new building designs and functional landscape designs will help the camp to meet its continuing mission of preaching, teaching and the application of the great Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In 2006, Jerry and Charlotte enter their 10th year of service. God has blessed the ministry abundantly and in August of 2006, the first class of 12-15 students will enroll in the new Emmaus School of Biblical Studies.
This mission of proclaiming the Gospel is what Camp Lurecrest has always been about, and through His grace and His strength the camp will remain committed to that mission throughout its years ahead. All that has come before and all that will come through this work is by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone. Back to Top |
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