HENRY CLAY MORRISON HISTORICAL MARKER DEDICATION Glasgow, Barren County Kentucky

The dedication ceremony for the new Henry Clay Morrison / Morrison Park Highway Historical marker was held Saturday May 24, at 10 a.m. A crowd of about 60 people gathered on the hillside of the old camp meeting grounds, founded by Henry Clay Morrison in 1900 to be part of the dedication. It was a very exciting time to see the old camp meeting grounds alive again with activity and many prayers of thanks. The day was glorious. The park's beauty was at it's best. Bob and Edie Bell had the park decorated with wonderful flowers that were just breath taking. A large portion of the park had been mowed the day before by the Barren County Correctional center inmate work program under the direction of deputy Roger Gentry and Jailer, Matt Mutter. Another large portion of the park was mowed by Buck Riddle. Nancy Richey spent the day on Friday cleaning the cabins along with many other chores. Everyone did their best to make the park at it's very best. We were so thankful for everyone who attended. The greatest honor came when several of Henry Clay Morrison's great grandchildren arrived for the dedication.
   Nancy Richey, Secretary/Treasurer, of the Morrison Park Camp meeting Association , and WKU Associate Professor, began the ceremony with a welcome and this wonderful address,
   Henry Clay Morrison considered this spot a sacred place and consecrated it for the spread of the Gospel and the Holiness message. It is a testament in many ways. A testament defined is something that serves as a sign or evidence of a specified fact, event, or quality. This place remains a testament to the fact of Morrison's legacy and to the many life changing events that took place on this hill. It is also evidence of how one person's love and dreams of the salvation of not only souls but of a history can come true. I passed this place many times as a child and my father noted to me its history. But, I did not have a personal connection to it. Gary Bewley, however, from childhood heard about this place and its founder from his grandmother, Mary Mae Bewley and her love and reverence for this place was passed to him. These words, her dreams became his dreams and hopes. He could not let this place die and so dreams became deeds. So, in essence, the restoration, though only clearly visible to others in the last three years, began with the nailing downs of a few sheets of rusty,roof metal. If not for this act, that deed, this place would have probably gone the way of so many other historical sites in our state. By placing this marker, we want this place to be and remain a sacred place, a testament to a timeless truth. It's history is part of this county and a part of who we are. It is a landmark for this county and the Bible asks that we "remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set." To lose sacred and historical places, is to lose the memory of who we were. I will paraphrase William Morris who wrote that "old buildings, [old places] do not belong to us only, they belong to our forefathers and our mothers, and I will add grandmothers, and they belong to our descendants unless we play them false. They are not in any sense our own property to do with as we would like with them. We are only trustees for those that came after us."

    WKU Associate Professor, Nancy Richey addresses those gathered at the Morrison Marker dedication.

   Becky Riddle , Coordinator of the Kentucky Historical Marker Program from Frankfort, Kentucky was at the dedication and also addressed the gathering. Sandra Gorin, President of the South Central Kentucky Historical and Genealogical Society, (the society which paid the costs of the marker) was on hand to share her feelings, and why the society felt the need for the placement of the marker. Morrison Park President, Gary Bewley addressed the crowd, thanking all the many people who had done so much to reconstruct the park, and shared his vision for its complete restoration in the coming months and years. Board members, Marshall Bailey and Phillip Pursley also addressed the crowd, sharing many memories and stories related to the history of the park. After the unveiling of the marker the crowd reassembled. Morrison's grandchildren addressed the gathering and shared their heartfelt appreciation for the all the work that had been done to restore the park. The ceremony ended with an invocation by Bro. Mike Pagett, Pastor of Glasgow Bible Church. It was a beautiful day and the spirit of the Lord was strong and ever present in all that took place.
If you are interested in helping or learning more about  the restoration of Morrison Park Holiness Camp meeting, contact Gary Bewley 2731 Tompkinsville Rd. Glasgow, Ky. 42141  Ph. 270-834-9553

       Kentucky Historical Highway Marker #2417 on KY state highway 63 near Glasgow, honoring Henry Clay Morrison and the Holiness Camp Meeting site he founded here in 1900 in Barren County Kentucky.