Jumonville is a
United Methodist
The United Methodist Church (UMC) is a worldwide mainline Protestant denomination based in the United States, and a major part of Methodism. In the 19th century, its main predecessor, the Methodist Episcopal Church, was a leader in evangelic ...
camp and retreat center located in
Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Fayette County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, adjacent to Maryland and West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 128,804. Its county seat is Uniontown. The county w ...
,
USA
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
near the city of
Uniontown, PA. Jumonville is famous for its 60-foot-tall cross that stands on top of Dunbar's Knob on Chestnut Ridge. Jumonville is named after
Joseph Coulon de Villiers de Jumonville
Joseph Coulon de Villiers, Sieur de Jumonville (September 8, 1718 – May 28, 1754) was a French Canadian military officer. His defeat and killing at the Battle of Jumonville Glen by forces led by George Washington was one of the sparks that ignit ...
, who was killed during a skirmish with George Washington at the
Battle of Jumonville Glen
The Battle of Jumonville Glen, also known as the Jumonville affair, was the opening battle of the French and Indian War, fought on May 28, 1754, near present-day Hopwood and Uniontown in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. A company of provincial ...
that set off the
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War (1754–1763) was a theater of the Seven Years' War, which pitted the North American colonies of the British Empire against those of the French, each side being supported by various Native American tribes. At the ...
.
Cross
Jumonville is famous for its 60-foot-tall cross that stands on top of Dunbar's Knob (elevation 2480 ft). It is visible from seven counties, three states, and fifty miles on a clear day.
Thousands of Sunday School children contributed dimes to help build the cross, and their names are sealed in the 183-ton concrete foundation. It was fabricated by Moore Metal Works of
Greensburg, and erected on August 26, 1950. Dedication services were held on September 9. The cross arms project 12 feet on each side of the main shaft. The cross weighs 55 tons, and was designed to withstand 100 mph winds.
The campus was developed as the PA Soldier's Orphan School after the Civil War. The school was moved from the old Madison College in Uniontown up to the mountain location with fresh air and a healthier environment for the children. The school operated from 1875 until 1908. The Whyel Chapel was built in 1880. Students were fed, clothed, and educated, and graduated at 16 years old with a trade or skill to support themselves.
The property eventually passed through several British owners and was donated by Harry Whyel to the Pittsburgh Conference of the Methodist Church in 1941. It operated as a summer only camp until 1970, and has hosted retreats and summer camps since then.
See also
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Battle of the Great Meadows
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Battle of Jumonville Glen
The Battle of Jumonville Glen, also known as the Jumonville affair, was the opening battle of the French and Indian War, fought on May 28, 1754, near present-day Hopwood and Uniontown in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. A company of provincial ...
*
Fort Necessity
Fort Necessity National Battlefield is a National Battlefield in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States, which preserves the site of the Battle of Fort Necessity. The battle, which took place on July 3, 1754, was an early battle of the F ...
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Joseph Coulon de Jumonville
Joseph Coulon de Villiers, Sieur de Jumonville (September 8, 1718 – May 28, 1754) was a French Canadian military officer. His defeat and killing at the Battle of Jumonville Glen by forces led by George Washington was one of the sparks that igni ...
*
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War (1754–1763) was a theater of the Seven Years' War, which pitted the North American colonies of the British Empire against those of the French, each side being supported by various Native American tribes. At the ...
References
External links
Western PA Conference of the UMCOfficial website of Jumonville Christian Camp and Retreat Cente
{{Methodist-stub
Christian summer camps
Methodist organizations
Buildings and structures in Fayette County, Pennsylvania