Mahaffey Camp had its beginning in 1894 when Rev. William Bryenton, a Methodist minister, along with several others, chose a beautiful pine grove close to the boro of Mahaffey, PA to hold a camp meeting. So successful was the 1894 camp meeting that Bryenton and his congregation determined to repeat the event the next summer. When the time arrived, food vendors as well as some folks selling liquor made their way to the site. Disapproving of alcohol, Bryenton and James Stephenson had a time of prayer and began a search for an alternate site. Mr. Stephenson owned a tract of land one mile down the Susquehanna River. It proved to be an ideal location. Everything they needed was there, including the right to control those who had access to the grounds during the camp meetings. On November 29, 1895, Stephenson deeded the land to the Susquehanna Park Holiness Camp Meeting Association with the provision that it always be used for a holiness camp meeting.

In 1913 the annual gathering of the Susquehanna Park Holiness Camp Meeting Association came under the control of The Christian and Missionary Alliance and its long name was shortened to Mahaffey Camp. In its 100+ years, Mahaffey-goers have listened to a gifted list of Bible teachers. These have included most of the presidents of The C&MA, a generous sprinkling of college administrators and faculty, and a long list of other notables. The missionary voices have literally encompassed the world in their representation. The roster of names is a who's who in Alliance missions spanning the past century.

Although no record has been kept of those at Mahaffey Camp who have received Christ as Saviour or dedicated their lives to full-time Christian service, the stories of spiritual victory at camp are legion. Many of those who made decisions did so as children. They were taken to Mahaffey Camp by concerned parents, pastors, or friends. Today, Mahaffey Camp is the second largest gathering of pastors, Christian workers, and lay people in the denomination of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, surpassed only by the church-wide General Council.

In 1992, Mahaffey Camp of The C&MA was incorporated as a non-profit organization. Its directorship was changed from that of the assistant superintendent of the Western PA District of the C&MA to a full-time Director/Developer.

If you are interested in knowing more of the history of Mahaffey Camp, you need to read the book Mahaffey: The First 100 Years written by Bertha Smeltzer and Bernard Palmer. The book is available through the camp office. You may purchase them for $2.50 each. If you want to have them mailed to you, please add $1.50 per book for postage and handling. Please send your order, along with your check to: