Wind Creek services steeped in tradition

Anyone who has ever spent a weekend at Alabama’s Wind Creek State Park is likely to remember the Sunday morning ringing of the outdoor bell offering a subtle reminder that church services are about to begin.
   
For four decades this tradition has been part of a unique nondenominational worship experience that few other campgrounds —private or public — offer to their guests.
   
The origin of the church services goes back prior to Wind Creek becoming a state park when it was privately owned.
   
On any summer Sunday morning in the 1960s it was not unusual to spy children scurrying up the slight incline to the outdoor worship area. Their eager quest was to be the first picked for the day’s bell ringer.
   
Linda Cotton well remembers her firsthand experience. “I remember getting up early and running through the campground with my sisters and brother to get to the bell. More times than not we arrived way before the visiting preacher did. It was a big deal for us to get to attend church outside,” The Church of Brook Hills member said. “We’d run up the hill to the worship area in our play clothes and often be barefoot. We thought it was great not having to get all dressed up for church. But it didn’t matter because everyone came as they were. It’s some of my best childhood memories of Wind Creek,” she said.
   
Although the tradition of Sunday services at Wind Creek has continued, the environment has changed. No longer are there split log benches for worshipers. Today’s services are held in an indoor pavilion with air conditioning for summer months and a wintertime fireplace.
   
As part of her responsibilities as park  activities director, Reva Hudson is always on the lookout for free, wholesome entertainment. She has brought in gospel singing groups, such as The Melody Boys Plus Two. Musicians from the surrounding area have been coming to Wind Creek for years to perform for campers who congregate around the outdoor stage.
   
For nine years, Shelby Association’s Liberty Baptist has been holding Vacation Bible School for one week each summer at the park.
   
In August, Jason Moye, youth minister for Mobile’s Myers Memorial Church decided to bring his youth group to Wind Creek for a retreat. Jason remembers meeting Reva Hudson during his childhood visits to the state park. He contacted her and she gladly booked his group to perform for a Sunday service.