The History of Living River's Land
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"Although the [Creek] Indians settled primarily on the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers, they fanned out also to the west along the Cahaba...
These Creeks who made the banks of the Cahaba and its tributaries their home for around three centuries before the white settlers intruded on them were instinctive conservationists... Today, around a century and a half after the Indians' retreat westward, no remains of their villages can be discovered in Bibb County. Now these locations must be sought primarily on early maps, which, however, do not always agree. Various state maps represent the Upper Creek towns in this area as Penootaw, or Pensatau, and Ischooka; and oral tradition add Osoonee. John Melish in sketchy maps published in 1818 and 1819 showing Andrew Jackson's targets in the Creek War of 1813-1814, placed Penootaw on the east bank of the Cahaba River... By 1820 he had revised his spelling, listing "Upper Pensotau, 13 houses, Lower Pensotau, 28 houses." -Rhoda Ellison, Bibb County, Alabama Click the map to the right and zoom in on the Cahaba River to find Upper Pensotau and Lower Pensotau, appearing a little downstream on the Cahaba from Living River! |
Auburn University Libraries, "General Jackson's campaign against the Creek Indians, 1813 & 1814"
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Living River's History
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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. |
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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.
Living River's Present and Future
Mission: Living River stewards a sacred space on the Cahaba for connection to self, others, nature, and God.
Vision: Generations assured of God's love and caring for creation.
Living River's work has three facets:
In 2024, Living River celebrated 10 years of its doors being open for programming! Here's an awesome article about Living River's first 10 years of work: https://alabamanewscenter.com/2024/05/28/living-river-celebrates-10-years-of-education-exploration-and-recreation-on-alabamas-cahaba/
Vision: Generations assured of God's love and caring for creation.
Living River's work has three facets:
- Its faith-based Summer Camps, seasonal retreats, Open Days, and its annual River Fest are open to all.
- Available retreat space for both faith-based and secular groups, weddings, and recreational day-use.
- Environmental work through stewardship of the land and water, hosting research projects, and coordinating field trips.
In 2024, Living River celebrated 10 years of its doors being open for programming! Here's an awesome article about Living River's first 10 years of work: https://alabamanewscenter.com/2024/05/28/living-river-celebrates-10-years-of-education-exploration-and-recreation-on-alabamas-cahaba/
