Ferncliff, John Knox Ranch, Camp Cho-yeh, Dwight Mission, Gilmont, Mo-Ranch, Synod Youth Workshop. All these places either exist or once existed within the bounds of the Synod of the Sun. At one time or another all contributed – and some still contribute – to the faith formation of persons of all ages. Some focus on youth and some focus on persons. They have been one of the strengths of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Beyond the Synod one could look at Montreat (North Carolina), Ghost Ranch (New Mexico), Stony Point (New York) as places of formative importance. Of course, internationally, one could also point to Iona, Scotland as a historically significant retreat center, especially for Presbyterians.
Two important sites that helped shape many Presbyterian youth over the years that no longer belong to the Presbyterian Church are Camp Cho-yeh in Livingston, Texas and Dwight Mission in eastern Oklahoma. Founded by Brazos Presbytery in 1947 Camp Cho-yeh, it served as the camp and conference center for what is now New Covenant Presbytery for over 65 years. It now belongs to an independent 501(c)3 organization. Named for Timothy Dwight, the 19th century theologian and president of Yale University, Dwight Mission began in 1820 in Russellville, Arkansas as an evangelistic mission to Cherokee Native Americans. It moved to eastern Oklahoma near Sallisaw in 1829. Over the years it served as a boarding school for Cherokee youth, closing in 1948. In 1950 the Presbyterian Church purchased the property as a camp and conference center. In 2021 Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery returned it to the Cherokee Nation.
In spite of the departure of those two camps from the Presbyterian Church, other camp and conference centers are not only open, but they are thriving. Ferncliff Camp in Arkansas Presbytery is located outside of Little Rock. Founded in 1937 this camp is an active camp for Presbyterians in both Arkansas and Oklahoma. It is also one of two camps that serve as a Disaster Assistance Center that works closely with Church World Service (the other DAC is in Maryland).
Begun in 1940 Camp Gilmont is located in northeast Texas near Gilmer and for 50 years was owned and operated by what is now Grace Presbytery. According to its website, in the early 1990s it became an independent 501(c)3 organization. However, in 2021 a covenant relationship was re-established with Grace Presbytery when Jennifer and Rev. Kenny Rigoulot were called as co-executive directors. It offers year-round programs as well as youth summer and family camps. Rev. Clay Brantley, vice president of the Gilmont board, has had a 30-year connection to Gilmont and testifies to the seminal role Gilmont has played in his own pilgrimage.
Rev. Henry Owen became executive director of John Knox Ranch in 2019. He, his wife, Rev. Emily Owen, and their two sons live at JKR. Emily serves as pastor of Hyde Park Presbyterian Church in Austin. Both are graduates of Austin College in Sherman and Austin Seminary. Located on the Blanco River in Fischer, Texas (not far from Wimberley), JKR was purchased as a church camp and retreat center by Presbyterians in 1962. Under Owen’s leadership as a way of protecting the Ranch’s natural resources JKR recently became a partner with the Hill Country Conservancy. Through its generous scholarship fund, JKR is able to expose large numbers of youth not only to the beauty of God’s creation, but to the gospel in a Christian community. The book Holy Ground: The Power and Influence of Christian Camps and Retreat Centers by Rob Mueller and Erin Van Tatenhove focuses on John Knox Ranch, but also mentions other Presbyterian camp and conference centers in Texas.
Two more Synod-wide institutions that minister to young people, specifically, but also to persons of all ages should be mentioned. The Synod Youth Workshop was begun in 1957 by Rev. Prentice Barnett, associate executive for education for the Synod of Texas. Youth from across the Synod were invited for a week of Bible study, worship, recreation, and mission projects. Initially, SYW met at Trinity University in San Antonio. According to Gary Holloman, one of the directors of the program (and whose brother, Ron, has also been integral to the SYW’s success), between 1992 and 1996 SYW would meet either at Trinity or at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) in San Marcos. In 1997 the conference moved to the University of Tulsa where it continues to meet each summer. In 2027 SYW will celebrate its 70th anniversary.
Mo-Ranch is located on the banks of the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country. Presbyterians bought it in 1949 from the widow of Mr. Dan Moran, executive of Continental Oil Company (Conoco). Prior to this purchase Synod of Texas conferences were held at Westminster Encampment on the campus of Schreiner College (now Schreiner University). Currently consisting of 500 acres, over the past 77 years Mo-Ranch has regularly hosted youth conferences, family conferences, Men’s and Women’s conferences among many others. In recent years Mo-Ranch has partnered with the Presbyterian Pan American School to bring international students to the Texas Hill Country conference center for retreat. Its current president and CEO is Tim Huchton.
Both John Knox Ranch and Mo-Ranch are located on rivers that in recent years have experienced serious flooding. On Memorial Day in 2015 there was a flash flood on the Blanco River which in a matter of hours flooded JKR, destroying the dining hall, two cabins, and a bath house. Crews from various churches showed up for the next two weeks to clean up and re-build. Remarkably, the Ranch was able to welcome campers on schedule for the summer camps (see Holy Ground, pp. 72-75 for Rev. Kathy Anderson’s account).
Over the years the Guadalupe River has experienced flooding on numerous occasions, causing once even the giant slide at Mo-Ranch to be washed away. Perhaps none was more devastating to the Hill Country community than the flood of July 2025. Compared to other camps and homes in the Hunt and Kerrville area, Mo-Ranch was fortunate in that there was no loss of life or property.
The ministry of these important camp, conference, and retreat centers is important, and Presbyterians seem to know that. In Holy Ground Mark Twain is quoted as having written: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of people and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime” (pp. 66-67).
As we make history today, we give thanks for this part of the Presbyterian witness to the gospel and the legacy so many of us have inherited.
The Presbyterian Historical Society of the Southwest exists to “stimulate and encourage interest in the collection, preservation, and presentation of the Presbyterian and Reformed heritage” in the Southwest. If you are not a participating member of the Society and would like to become one, the annual dues are $20 per individual and $25 per couple. Annual institutional and church membership dues are $100. Checks may be made out to PHSSW and sent to:
PHSSW – 5525 Traviston Ct., Austin, TX 78738.
