Our History and Our Future
Formed in 1988 by a merger of several smaller Alabama presbyteries, the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley inherited a deep tradition of camping as well as two camping facilities, Gulftreat in the Florida panhandle and Covenant Mountain in Springville, Alabama.
For decades, the camps at Gulftreat and Covenant Mountain provided a setting for outreach to young people.These facilities, however, were not adequate to support both the continuation of the Presbytery’s successful youth camping program and for spiritual retreats for the Presbytery as a whole. A camp and retreat center in a larger and more central location with updated facilities, better access for those with disabilities, and the capacity to host larger and more diverse groups was seen as essential to meet future needs.
The sale of the property at Covenant Mountain and Gulftreat allowed the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley to purchase a unique and important site on the Cahaba River near Montevallo as a location for a new camp and conference center. A Board of Directors was appointed by Presbytery Council and Living River became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization associated with the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley.
For decades, the camps at Gulftreat and Covenant Mountain provided a setting for outreach to young people.These facilities, however, were not adequate to support both the continuation of the Presbytery’s successful youth camping program and for spiritual retreats for the Presbytery as a whole. A camp and retreat center in a larger and more central location with updated facilities, better access for those with disabilities, and the capacity to host larger and more diverse groups was seen as essential to meet future needs.
The sale of the property at Covenant Mountain and Gulftreat allowed the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley to purchase a unique and important site on the Cahaba River near Montevallo as a location for a new camp and conference center. A Board of Directors was appointed by Presbytery Council and Living River became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization associated with the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley.
Our Present and Future
Today, Living River lives into its mission of sharing Christ-like hospitality, fostering stewardship of creation, and nourishing faith for the transformation of the world in these ways:
As we look to the future, we hope all of these aspects of Living River's work will grow, reach larger and more diverse participants, and steward creation well in partnership with other organizations and the land we inhabit.
- Faith-based summer camps and seasonal retreats sponsored by PC(USA) organizations in Central Alabama
- Available retreat space for faith-based and secular groups
- Ongoing maintenance of the land and water we are entrusted with as well as seeking out scientists, professionals, and groups who desire to learn from and teach about the environment using Living River's space
As we look to the future, we hope all of these aspects of Living River's work will grow, reach larger and more diverse participants, and steward creation well in partnership with other organizations and the land we inhabit.