February 19 Today in OPC History

On this day in 1934, the Rev. Arthur F. Perkins, pastor of Merrill Presbyterian Church in Merrill, Wisconsin formally signed over a piece of lake property in Rhinelander, Wisconsin to the Crescent Lake Bible Fellowship. Arthur Perkins was very committed to reaching young people with the good news of Jesus Christ. In partnership with his close friend, the Rev. Earnest Tremblay, he determined to purchase of a piece of land on Crescent Lake in order to establish a Bible Camp for young people. Each man personally pledged $5, and with the help of interested friends, they raised the $325 needed to complete the purchase. Cabins were built and facilities were developed, and soon campers began attending the Crescent Lake Bible Camp. This project was a clear alternative to the camps being sponsored by the Winnebago Presbytery of the PCUSA. At those PCUSA camps, modernism would be preached instead of the pure word of God. When the Presbytery heard about the efforts by Perkins at Crescent Lake, they demanded that he disassociate with CLBC and begin supporting their camps. Perkins refused to yield, maintaining that the Crescent Lake camp was an independent organization and not under their jurisdiction. The Presbytery threatened charges if Perkins did not comply, and they made good on their threats. Perkins was tried, convicted and suspended from the ministry for two years, simply for his support of this ministry to young people. At the 1936 PCUSA General Assembly in Syracuse, New York, Perkins appeal was denied, although they reduced his suspension to one year. After Perkins death on December 29, 1936, the Crescent Lake Bible Association continued holding camps for young people. Their facilities have been expanded and their property has grown, but they continue to this day carrying on the ministry that Arthur Perkins pioneered at so great a cost.