from "Bits of Bark from the Family Tree" published by the Batesville Genealogical Society, Vol. III, Num. 1, June, 1978: MILLIGAN CAMPGROUND CHURCH (Strawberry Congregation Cumberland Presbyterian) compiled by Mrs. Vaughn (Avis Lackey) Anderson, 1535 N. Heights, Batesville, AR, 72501 "The Milligan Camp Ground Church is located in the southeast corner of Sharp County, about 25 miles northeast of Batesville, and about four miles west of Strawberry. Here, in a large grove of oaks near a fine spring, the Strawberry Congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized in 1823. For years prior to the organization, the spot had been used for campground revivals. Maintained on the same site for some 155 years, the church is probably the oldest continuous Protestant church (without re-location) in Arkansas. According to early pioneers, a camp meeting was held at the church every fall until the outbreak of the Civil War. At different times during the conflict, regiments of soldiers used the campgrounds The church was named in honor of Rev. John Milligan, on whose land the first log structure was built. When the first church was constructed is not known. Rev. Milligan was a Virginian, who reportedly ran away from home to come to Arkansas at age 16. In 1818, he married Miss Eadie Ragsdale of Izard County and in 1820 they settled near where the Milligan Camp Ground Church would later be organized. Contrary to general belief, Rev. Milligan did not officiate at the organization of the church but probably played a very important part in its beginnings. He was not received under the care of the church Presbytery until May 23, 1826, during a Cumberland meeting at the home of John CRAIG in Independence County. The session had the following roll of charter members published in the Sharp County Record on August 21, 1901: Washington COOPER, Lambert RICHARDSON, Drewey RICHARDSON, James RAINEY, John BEASLEY, Lewis BEASLEY, William BROWN, Henry WAYLAND, James FORTENBERRY, Absalom FORTENBERRY, James COCHRAN, Jarrid BRICKEY, James LINDLEY, William McMILLAN, Benjamin PERKINS, William RAINEY, John THIMBLE, Malcolm McMILLAN, Alfred SLOAN, Jacob TOMLINSON, Sarah BEASLEY, Nancy RICHARDSON, Phebe HOOPER, Foley McCARROLL, Mrs. LINDLEY, Susan BEASLEY, Linval RAINEY, Elizabeth RICHARDSON, Mrs. WAYLAND, Nancy FORTENBERRY, Lemana JEFFERY, Eadie MILLIGAN, Syntha BRICKLEY, Jeanna McMILLAN, Annbeth TRIMBLE, Pinnah TOMLINSON, Jane SLOAN, and Mrs. SLOAN. Rev. John Milligan probably became pastor of the church soon after his license was approved on March 6, 1827. The church records indicate that he was pastor at the time of his death in 1868. Both Rev. Milligan and his wife are buried in the church cemetery.