...a ministry of the Free Methodist Church

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Peach Orchard Christian Retreat Facility and surrounding grounds, are located on a beautifully wooded lot ... in a place where life slows down long enough for you to refresh and restore. We offer a variety of lodgings from our historic cottages to our fully modernized retreat facility.

 
  Our History


For Additional historic information, visit:

www.peachorchardcamp.com

The Free Methodist became a religious entity in 1860, when a group of Methodist, split from the Methodist church. Their goal was the attainment of three central freedoms:

1) the ability to sit in church free of charge, as opposed to having to pay pew rental,  2) the abolition of slavery, and  3) the right to enjoy "freedom of the Spirit in worship and daily living."

In 1930 Spencerville, MD was considered as a good choice for camp meeting, because it was close to both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD.Albert Sergeant provided the $200.00 needed to purchase the first 6 acres of the Free Methodist Campground. A clause in his will absolved this debt, and in gratitude the MD/VA Conference voted to name the grounds after him.

You will find our historical Cottages nestled around the outskirts of our horseshoe shaped campgrounds, and a Quaker style Tabernacle for Worship  in the center.

The Dining Hall contains the oldest building on our Historic Campground. It was a World War I era portable school house. In 1930 this building, then located on 14th street in northwest Washington, was purchased from the District of Columbia. Roman numerals used in erecting this portable school house can still be seen etched in the Dining Hall floorboards.


Copyright - NO pictures, or information on this website may be copied or duplicated except where indicated or with the express, written permission from the Peach Orchard Retreat Center Board of Administration.