My memories are, you will understand, quite vague, as my time at the Feast of Tabernacles in the Ozarks was as a young child - 4 and 5 years of age. Yet decades on decades passed has not diminished many of the memories of the Ozarks in my mind. In fact, the details are as clear as ever -despite the fact this was so long ago. Perhaps my memories are shared by others who went there back in the 70s and 80s. Perhaps this post will bring back some memories.
The Feast was hyped up to me as a child. My family had two weeks reserved for the Feast, so we took our time going there - and took our time coming back. The first year we went, we stayed on a beautiful lakeside cabin at the now-defunct "Lazy-D-Resort". The Second year, we stayed at an inexpensive twin-story motel called the "Scottish Inn" off Highway 54 - which, surprisingly, still stands today.
There wasn't any lack of anything to do for young children on a vacation at the Ozarks. One of my biggest memories of the Ozarks was the Bagnell Dam - which still runs and exists much as it did back then. We were able to take a tour of the dam's powerhouse - a very frightening and loud place, I remember - and had no idea what the "two houses on stilts" on the dam's top were (turns out, they are massive cranes to lift floodgates). We visited a great Cave called "Jacobs Cave" just up the road a little bit - I can still remember the pitch blackness when they cut the lights, and the distinct "cave smell" that existed deep inside the bowels of the cavern. There was a little lady about my age I had a crush on at the time - whose parent ran the concession/gift area I still remember.
There was also the "Strip" - an entertainment and shopping district just across from the Dam - which contained a lot of fun activities for the whole family. There was a mini-golf course which contained a massive "sky-slide", and bumper cars. There was an arcade which had "Skee-ball" - a delight for a pre-schooler and adult alike. Two large statues of Indians flanked each side of the highway.
And, of course, there was the Tabernacle. A giant metal warehouse held all 14,000 of us Festival goers just outside of Route 54, right next to a tall water tower. There was never anything fancy about this "Tabernacle" - plain was an understatement. Yet, it did the trick for all of us waiting for a long, long time to get out of the parking lot when services were over. I also very clearly remember having picnics between services on the lawns of the Tabernacle - with egg salad sandwiches and potato chips. It was also at this site that I heard the infamous "Behind the Work" videos of 1981 and 1982.
As far as church-specific memories of the Ozarks, of course, there was Armstrong hollering about, echoing throughout the cavernous warehouse his kingdom proclamations. There was sitting on the grey floor with a "Little Professor" calculator and a gray etch-a-sketch. There was hanging on to the coat-tails of a parent - and the awe of so many people everywhere. And of course, the long, tiring days of double services. Yet, one of my most pronounced memories was hearing "Behold the Day Will Come" and shouting out to all who could hear over the singing that the day HAD come - the day of my birthday. It was a late feast that year.
Looking now, the Ozarks are, in many ways the same, but also, in many ways, very, very different. The "Strip" is but a shadow of its former self. The Dam is still there but looks more utilitarian and un-explorable then it used to be. The Lazy-D-Resort cabins are gone, and so is the massive Sky-Slide and bumper cars. Yet, a few of the long-standing memories still stand - the tall statues, the fudge store, and even Jacobs Cave.
The Tabernacle itself? It's now an indoor boat-storage warehouse for the ever-growing lake and boating industry of the Ozarks. Surprisingly, it still stands - another former ghost of itself - a ghost of an alternate universe of times past. Those who store their vessels within the walls of the Tabernacle would have no idea of what took place - and what we believed - within and around those walls. Yet those of us who were there remember. And remember well.
Much like the other Church-owned sites - Mt. Pocono, Big Sandy, and Wisconsin Dells, Ozarks had its own flavor and its own distinctiveness all of its own. For Worldwiders - whether you were a child, or an adult, for over 14,000 of us, the memories of times long past still hold clear and strong for those who experienced the times and the season of fall on the Lake of the Ozarks. And it's these memories that the onset of Fall brings clear for those who lived to experience the Feast of Tabernacles during the Armstrong Era of the Worldwide Church of God.
Submitted by SHT
13 comments:
What made those two "Behind the Work" videos any more infamous than the rest of them?
These feast sites are another example of how Armstrongism got things backwards. Other churches put their resources into local, community-based buildings, and rent appropriate facilities for their conventions. They have the wisdom to distinguish between the relative values inherent in multi-usage facilities vs single-usage ones.
It also defies logic that permanent structures were constructed for a festival themed on temporary dwelling-places. The much-quoted and argued scriptures regarding Egypt coming to Jerusalem in the Millennium or Kingdom are based on the fact that the Hebrews were taught and believed that the Temple was God’s dwelling place on earth. That is the place where God put his name, not the locations that some group calling itself “God’s True Church” would designate.
I’m glad that the folks in the ‘zarks get to have a nice facility to store their boats. Seems like the post-Gamaliel tabernacle is somewhat like Tyre these days.
BB
I was there in 1977, I was 13 years old. I remember the helicopter rides just outside the tabernacle.
Kevin
Now that area is all about real estate development and money. Gone is the cute hillbilly culture and hillbilly souvenirs like "Shotgun Weddin'" postcards & corncob pipes. Not worth visiting anymore.
This post reminds me of the Wisconsin Dells feast site. We all sat on these cold hard chairs and there was no heat in the building except for the small area that the handicapped and elderly sat and the restrooms. I always wanted to go home halfway through the feast because of the boredom and the thought that I might not have a job when I got home if I stayed there the whole eight days but felt guilty that I would loose my salvation if I left. What a strong motivator fear and guilt are! I always was happier when I was going home from the feast then going to the feast. The comment, "isn't this the best feast ever", was a joke to me, however because I didn't feel that way I felt guilty and spiritually weak.
I was there in 1976 and I enjoyed staying on the lake in my own little pup tent as a 9 year old. I fished after services on all days except for the high holy days. My parents stayed in a nice larger tent. My dad lived in Michigan most of his life and was a true outdoorsman.
I have no complaints - and I do not complain about things today. I may not agree with a lot of things, but keeping one's mouth shut is a sign of patience, good character and wisdom. Don't believe me, just look around and on the TV today .....
The mere fact that people are driven to this day to attack Mr Armstrong and his teachings of Jesus's gospel is a true testament to the fact that he was teaching the truth! I have nothing but good memories of the WWCG and the FOT. I met so many people and had so many good times It was the best time of my life.
I went in maybe 1980-1882 maybe even earlier. I have very similar memories of sitting in the floor of the building under Mom's feet. The lights went down and Mr. Herbert W Armstrong's voice boomed as he spoke of Revelations. I will never forget that. I have zero bad experiences with the church and actually miss my church family terribly. I'd be in the church now if there was a church to go to.
I feel like she wrote this straight from my memories! Only I stayed at a campsite directly across from the congregation center. I remember my brother getting to go on a helicopter ride after services one day out in the field near the building. I remember that booming sermon and Mr. Armstrong speaking of Revelations. I remember 'the strip". I remember the huge slide. It was so awesome! I have the best memories of my life that came from The Feast of Tabernacles there, and Big Sandy Tx, Biloxi MS, Pensacola Fl. I wish I could go back to church with the original WWCG. It's so sad to know I won't know that feeling again here on this earth, not in this life. š
Church of God a world wide asc same church many of the same people that were at the lake same Holy days and The Feast gogel it and join the family again
I attended in the 70’s. I am in the Ozarks now near Bagnell dam. Would love to have the exact address so I could see the tabernacle again. I read it is a boat storage now. Another site said that it is owned by Columbia College. Anyone know the address?
3850 collumbia avenue osage beach 65065
I work there we are with barrette outdoor living we manufacture aluminum rail systems
I miss those days so much,the penny carnival, the Choir,the hugs,the food.
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