The W.S. Young congregation keeps busy with many worthwhile projects throughout the year. One such project is the stewardship of the Nolanville Encampment.

Since 1998, the W.S. Young Drive congregation has been the steward of the Nolanville Campground. This is one of the oldest campgrounds in the nation, dating back about 120 years. Recently, much work has been done to the campground by way of renovation. The old tabernacle, that had stood since the 1890's, was a target of vandals who razed it to the ground. With the free-will offerings of a number of the members of the church came the idea of erecting a more secure edifice. Today, a modern tabernacle, made of metal, stands on the foundation of the old tabernacle.

The first Nolanville Encampment dates back to 1885. On Friday night before the first Sunday in August, the old church bell at the campground would peal out - calling the campers to worship services.

At first, campers would pitch tents as their living quarters. Later, little cabins began to appear for better accommodations. People would "camp-out" in the beautiful Nolan Creek area, just south of the city of Nolanville, for two weeks. Some came from many miles away. At first they came on horseback and in wagons. They brought necessary tools for the two-week period. Some brought cows and chickens, which would supply fresh milk and eggs for campers. Water was available in the nearby Nolan Creek for bathing and washing of clothing. They took fresh water for drinking and cooking purposes from the nearby Kaiser Springs.

Wilson Palmer and E.M. Sprott are usually mentioned in reference to those early days. It is said that they baptized many people in Nolan Creek. Other names that come to mind would be the Young's, Kaiser's, Sutton's, Dockeray's Pate's, Cox's, Bigham's, and the Hughes'.

Preachers and song leaders who have helped with the camp include: Wilson Palmer, E.M. Sprott, Joe Warlick, J.W. Lawson, W.A. Schultz, A.J. McCarty, Foy Wallace, Sr., Cecil Hutson, Foy Wallace, Jr., R.C. Bell, G.H.P. Showalter, Tom Ruble, Palmer Wheeler, E.S. Fitzgerald, J. Petty Ezell, Tom Millholland, R.T. Lowery, Dillard Thurman, Max Crumley, H.I. Taylor, Rocky Sprott, Jeff Lucas, Murray Marshall, N.H. Sprott, Jr., Paul Epps, Wallace Gooch, Paul Wallace, and M.D. Manning.

The elders of W.S. Young Drive appreciate the Nolanville brethren for allowing them to be the trustees of this great piece of history for the Lord's cause in central Texas. The campground can be visited by anyone who will contact the W.S. Young congregation. We are making the area into a "park-like" setting to remind us of the strength of our fore-parents who helped blaze the trail of faith in central Texas. A historical marker is planned to be erected at the entrance to the park.

For more information concerning the campgrounds, just email us and we will be glad to give additional information.