Question

What was the purpose of religious camp meetings in the early 1800s?

Answer 1

During the late 1700's and early 1800's there was a Protestant religious revival across the united states. Originally camp meetings were held in frontier areas, where people without regular preachers would travel on occasion from a large region to a particular site to camp out, listen to itinerant preachers, pray, and sing hymns. Camp meetings offered community, often singing and other music, sometimes dancing, and diversion from work. Religion was adapting to the time period.

Answer 2

The camp meetings were a form of protestant Christian religious service which originated in Scotland and England. It emerged as an evangelical event in association with the communion season. The purpose of these meetings was worshiping and preaching in the frontier areas during the Great awakening period in the 19th century. Its origin is obscure but historians credit James McGready for it. He was a Presbyterian, the first meetings were inaugurated in 1799-1801 in Logan County, Kentucky.