About Pleasant Ridge Camp
A Heritage of Faith in the Allegheny Mountains
Our Foundation
Pleasant Ridge Camp stands as a beacon of Christian faith and fellowship, nestled in the serene Allegheny Mountains of South Central Pennsylvania. Since the early 1940s, this sacred gathering place has served as a spiritual sanctuary where generations of believers have encountered the transforming presence of God.
Located at 5806 Pleasant Ridge Road in Harrisonville, Pa 17228, the camp embodies its foundational motto drawn from Hebrews 10:10: "And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
Founded during an era when America was navigating the Great Depression and World War II, Pleasant Ridge Camp emerged from a vision to create a refuge where believers could retreat from worldly influences and pursue deeper spiritual growth. The camp's founders, rooted in the Wesleyan-Holiness movement, established this mountain retreat as a place where the doctrine of entire sanctification could be preached, taught, and experienced in the beauty of God's creation.
Our History
The Beginning
Traveling evangelists and local lay people in Fulton & Franklin Counties begin hosting weekend holiness rallies on family farms.
Camp Established
Twenty-five families purchase a small tract on Pleasant Ridge to establish a permanent camp-meeting ground, clearing trees, pitching canvas tents, and building a rough-cut lumber tabernacle lit by kerosene lanterns.
Growth & Development
Permanent cabins, dormitories, a dining hall and the first youth dorm are constructed; electric service reaches the ridge.
Official incorporation
Pleasant Ridge incorporates as Pleasant Ridge Camp Association, Inc., adopting a constitution that secures doctrinal fidelity and protects the grounds for religious use in perpetuity.
Modern Improvements
A modern bathhouse, expanded dining facility, and multi-use recreation field are added; youth and children's ministries flourish.
Renovation & Expansion
Renovations upgrade wiring, roofing, and ADA accessibility. A fully staffed youth & young-adult program is launched, drawing teens from five states.
Continuing Legacy
With a nine-member Board of Trustees, dozens of volunteers, and growing summer attendance, Pleasant Ridge remains a refuge where families worship together and hearts are renewed.
Mission and Purpose
The Pleasant Ridge Camp Association, Inc. operates with the constitutional purpose of "the maintenance and operation of camp meeting services" where people of all ages step away from life's routines to encounter the transforming presence of the Triune God.
This inter-denominational, Wesleyan-Holiness camp-meeting community has served four generations of believers who gather each summer on the wooded ridge in the Allegheny foothills.
Everything undertaken at Pleasant Ridge—preaching, teaching, worship, recreation, and fellowship—aims at encouraging wholehearted love for God, Spirit-empowered holy living, and active service in the local church and the world.
The camp provides a place where individuals can open their hearts and lives to the gracious work of God, spurring them toward holy living in a community of like-minded believers.
Core Theological Tenets
Pleasant Ridge Camp stands firmly within classical Wesleyan-Arminian theology, maintaining fidelity to fundamental Christian doctrines while emphasizing the distinctive Holiness tradition. The camp's doctrinal foundation includes the following core tenets as specified in the 2023 constitution:
The Triune God
Jesus Christ
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Scriptures
Sin, Original and Personal
Atonement
Prevenient Grace
Repentance
Justification, Regeneration and Adoption
Christian Holiness and Entire Sanctification
The Church
The Baptism
The Lord's Supper
Divine Healing
Second Coming of Christ
Resurrection, Judgement and Destiny
Organizational Structure and Governance
Pleasant Ridge Camp Association
The camp operates as Pleasant Ridge Camp Association, Inc., governed by a constitution revised in 2023. Membership is open to individuals who are members of local congregations, are in harmony with the camp's purpose, maintain paid-up status, and conform to association rules.
Association Fees: $18.00 per year. Dues must be paid before the meeting on July 19th. Membership allows you to vote on Board members and other camp related issues. Anyone may attend a meeting, only paying members may vote.
Fiscal Year: August 1st to July 31st
Board of Trustees
Nine Trustees govern the camp, elected by ballot at the annual association meeting. They serve staggered three-year terms, with three new Trustees elected each year. All Trustees must be active members in good standing with the camp association and active participants in local congregations that align with the camp's purpose and core tenets.
Officers and Leadership
The association elects five key officers:
- President (must be a licensed minister) - Serves as spiritual director and presides over business sessions
- Vice-President (must be a licensed minister)
- Secretary - Maintains accurate records
- Treasurer - Manages all funds
- Camp Manager - Elected annually by the Board, oversees maintenance and day-to-day operations
Vision for the Future
As Pleasant Ridge Camp continues into the 21st century, it maintains its founding commitment to the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition while adapting methods to reach contemporary audiences. The camp faces the ongoing challenge of preserving theological distinctives and spiritual atmosphere while remaining relevant to new generations of believers.
The 2023 revision of the camp's constitution demonstrates commitment to both continuity and adaptation, maintaining core principles while updating operational procedures. This balance between tradition and innovation characterizes the camp's approach to ministry in an increasingly secular culture.
An Enduring Invitation
Pleasant Ridge Camp extends a warm invitation to all seeking spiritual renewal, deeper holiness teaching, Christ-centered family experiences, or vibrant youth ministry. Whether you are hungry for God's Word, looking for Christian fellowship, or seeking a place where faith comes alive, Pleasant Ridge welcomes you.
Come join the legacy of faith that has flourished for over eighty years in the Allegheny Mountains. Experience the transforming power of God's grace in a community committed to "Holiness Unto the Lord."