Who We Are
"Montgomery is the one thing that unites us as a presbytery."
~Former Moderator of Presbytery
I'll guide you to amazing places
Our Legacy
"Why is this place called Camp Montgomery?" asked a day camper after we talked about the components of fire building and made our s'mores.
"Because Dr. Montgomery loved nature, loved kids, and loved to share God's love with people," Rebekah replied. "Camp was the place he could combine all of those loves, and he did it for 75 years all over North Florida."
Dr. E.F. Montgomery Sr's legacy extends beyond the boundary lines of Montgomery Center. Camp Montgomery was established in 1957, but Dr. Mont's camping ministry began long before, in 1916. As the boy scout leader in McIntosh, he took his boys on many camping trips. He then began taking the youth from his churches to camp. His 75 years of camp ministry included work at O'Leno, Camp Osceola on the Suwannee, Immokalee, and more.
Dr. Mont was a third-generation presbyterian, born in 1874. A graduate of Princeton Seminary, his first parish was that of McIntosh, Micanopy, and Fairfield. He was ordained at McIntosh Presbyterian in 1916, came back from World War I to serve Westminster (Jax), married at South Jacksonville Presbyterian in 1929, and was the pastor of Lake City Presbyterian for 40 years.
Dr. Mont loved his time outdoors, and gained energy from teaching young people about God's creation. It is a joy and privilege to carry on this tradition with the next generation under the oaks.
A Covenant and Mission Partner
The Presbytery has established Montgomery Presbytery Conference Center, Inc. as the legal entity through which the Conference Center shall be operated, maintained, and managed, and in which ownership of the real property and personal property of the Conference Center shall be received, held in trust and used for the Presbytery. The membership of the corporation, Montgomery Presbytery Conference Center, Inc. is co-terminus with the membership of the Presbytery of St. Augustine, Inc.
The presbytery supports the ministry of Montgomery Conference Center through the participation of its congregations and members in the financial support, programs and ministries of Montgomery Conference Center; through volunteer groups that help with improvements to the Conference Center site; and through the regular welcome and grant of privilege of voice to members of the Montgomery Conference Center program staff.
Montgomery Conference Center contributes to the ministry of the presbytery by offering a ministry of hospitality on behalf of the presbytery to congregations, members, ministers, and others; by conducting a high-quality, Christ-centered ministry of camping and retreat to the presbytery and, on behalf of the presbytery, to groups and organizations who seek the benefits of such ministry; by providing a place for groups and individuals to experience the goodness of God’s creation; by offering opportunities for spiritual growth and education for pastors, leaders, and members of congregations; by supporting leadership development in the presbytery through ministry with youth and young adults; and by providing both a place and leadership for occasions of recreation and retreat.
from the Presbytery of St. Augustine Manual of Operations
We are grateful for the continued partnership with our church families.
The following churches in the Presbytery of St. Augustine have made financial commitments toward the ongoing ministry of Montgomery.*
- Calvin
- Community
- Dunnellon
- Fairfield
- Faith
- Fort King
- 1st Gainesville
- Geneva
- Green Cove Springs
- Grace
- Highlands United
- High Springs
- Hodges Blvd
- Kirkwood
- Lake City
- McIntosh
- Murray Hill
- 1st Ocala
- Orange Park
- Palatka
- Palms
- Riverside
- Silver Springs Shores
- South Jacksonville
- St. Andrews
- St. Giles
- Trinity
- Weirsdale
- Westminster
- White Springs
- Woodlawn
*Gifts made between 2024-2026
