Campground History
This land holds the history of our Association. It’s where spiritual revivals took root, where ministries were launched, and where generations first felt the call. Learn how a simple vision evolved into this beautiful, dedicated space for God's work.
The story of the Alton Bay Campmeeting Association began on September 7, 1863 when the very first "Second Advent Campmeeting" was held on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee at Alton Bay. Elder J.G. Smith delivered the inaugural sermon on the very grounds that would later become known as the Alton Bay Campmeeting Asssociation - today also home to our retreat ministry, the Alton Bay Christian Retreat Center. The land, originally leased from the Boston and Maine Railroad (who was facing near bankruptcy and in dire need of revenue at the time, so they leased the land at very favorable rates to the Association) eventually sold the property to us and the railroad line thrived for a period. The Second Advent Grounds, as they were known then, quickly became a gathering place for worship and renewal. Early attendees camped in tents, expecting Christ's return to be imminent. When the cottages were built, they were simple and unpainted - a reflection of the belief that these earthly homes were only temporary as they eagerly awaited the coming of the Lord.
The Alton Bay Campmeeting Association was formally incorporated in 1876, and over the years it blossomed into a vibrant community of faith and fellowship. A large Tabernacle soon became the heart of the grounds when "the grove", an outdoor amphitheater that could seat several thousand was not in use.
The tabernacle was joined by a central kitchen and bakery that served generations of summer guests. An icehouse on Back Bay stored blocks of ice cut each winter for use by campers during the warmer months. Visitors could stay in a large boarding house, browse the local bookstore, shop for provisions in the general store, or even rely on campus police, stables, and the community lamplighter who kept the walkways glowing at night.
As the years passed, the campground continued to grow and thrive, welcoming thousands to summer campmeetings, spiritual conferences, and youth retreats. By 1900, more than 10,000 worshippers gathered here each season for the two week campmeetings, with over 250 tents spread across the grounds. Wooden benches nestled among the trees created a natural amphitheater for worship and song. In time, small cottages, some only one foot apart replaced the tent footprint, giving families a lasting place to return year after year to await the "Second Advent" and renew their faith beside the peaceful waters of Lake Winnipesaukee.
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The Campground
The Advent Christian Campground, located at Alton Bay, was founded in 1863. It is the oldest camp association in New England. The campground, in the early days, covered four acres of land leased from the Boston and Maine railroad. As it developed, it grew to seventy-eight acres.
In the late 1800's, most of the people staying on the campground lived in tents and held religious services in the pine grove which was located in the middle of the campground. Through the years cottages were built and at the time of the fire in 1945, there were over four hundred. Other additions to the campground, prior to the fire, were a Tabernacle, Book Store (several thousand dollars worth of Bibles, pictures, and literature were lost in the fire), Bakery, Boarding House, and Store. The Tabernacle, and Book Store were lost in the 1945 fire.
In 1967, the Campground suffered another loss, by fire, of the Boarding House and Store, followed by two additional fires- one in 2003 that burned four cottages near the beach, and the Easter 2009 fire that once again devastated the campground destroying 45 cottages, resulting in a loss of 1/3 of the buildings that were left on the grounds.
Good Old Alton Bay
For more than a century and a half, the phrase "Good Old Alton Bay" has captured the hearts of thousands who have gathered along these peaceful shores to worship, rest, and renew their faith. Since its founding, Alton Bay Campmeeting Association has stood as a beacon of Christian fellowship and revival in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire - a place where lives have been changed, families strengthened, and generations drawn closer to God.
Though the Alton Bay Campmeeting Association has flourished for over 163 years, much of its earliest history was recorded only in fragments. The first known mention of the camp appeared in the World's Crisis newspaper during the tumultuous days of the Civil War in 1863. From those few printed words, a spiritual movement was born that continues to this day.
Unique is, indeed, the adjective which is most appropriate in attempting to describe the historical facts associated with this campground. Strange as it may seem and despite the fact that the camp has operated for more than 163 years, the early records were not kept and only through the items in the World's Crisis (1863) announcing the beginning of the camp, and the subsequent reports, have we been able to gather the early information.
The First Campmeeting at Alton Bay
The first call for a campmeeting at Alton Bay appeared in the World's Crisis of August 4, 1863, and read as follows:
Providence permitting, there will be a campmeeting at Alton Bay, N.H. to commence September 7, and hold over the following Sunday. Come ye servants of the living God to the New Hampshire camp meeting to feed the flock of Jesus Christ and save souls from the "second death." Further particulars herewith.
For the brethren, J. G. Smith