EXEGESIS REPORT
Date: February 22, 2017
Location Community and/or Neighborhood:
Camp Hill
Zip Code: 17011
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
History and Background of Community/Neighborhood:
The name "Camp Hill" is believed to stem from a split in the congregation of a Peace Church, located west of the current borough. One faction of the church began meeting outdoors, on a hill. Prior to the Civil War, the area was known locally as White Hill, and was a stop along the Cumberland Valley Railroad between Harrisburg and Carlisle. During the Civil War, the Battle of Sporting Hill became the northernmost engagement of the Gettysburg Campaign, which took place at Camp Hill in late June 1863. Camp Hill was incorporated as a borough on November 10, 1885, from East Pennsboro Township.
It is a borough in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, southwest of Harrisburg. There are many large corporations based in nearby East Pennsboro Township and Wormleysburg that use the Camp Hill postal address, including the Rite Aid Corporation, Harsco Corporation, and Gannett Fleming.
OBSERVATIONS:
Social Climate Observations:
Camp Hill is a well kept city full of single family homes. Everything is well manicured and taken care of. They just built a new library in town and it might make a good place to meet. Siebert Park has new playground equipment, a pool and waterpark, along with different sport fields. Most families are middle to upper middle class. Their schools are rated at 7 out of 10. All around the schools are georgeous parks and ballfields. This is a town where "keeping up with the jones" is a reality.
Physical Climate Observations:
It is strategically located between Rt. 11, I-83, and Rt. 15. Rt. 15 acts as a natural divide for the city. Market street literally divides the city in half.
Economic Climate Observations:
They have a large industrial park off Rt. 11. It houses some big corporations such as Rite Aid Corporation, Harsco Corporation, and Gannett Fleming. This provides plenty of good paying jobs to the people of Camp Hill. Not just manufactoring, but also middle and upper management jobs as well.
Spiritual Climate Observations:
Mainline denominations are prevalent. There are some very big Luther, Methodist, and Catholic churches. Besides Oakwood Baptist Church there does not seem to be any other evangelical presence in the town. The leaders of Oakwood welcome a new church start in Camp Hill, because they realize they can not reach everyone for Christ. It will be a little difficult to reach these people because they do have some money, and even some form of religion.
IDENTIFIED NEEDS:
Potential Needs Identified:
Anything for kids - sports camps, backyard Bible clubs at parks (both parents are probably working)
Find ways to help keep Camp Hill looking nice. Either the playgrounds, cityscape, or downtown.
Money and time management. Usually people of this income level could use some help in these area.
CONNECTIONS:
Connections Made During Exegesis:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommendation Summary:
I would recommend that a new church be started in Camp Hill. It is stable area which should produce a stable church. Stable as in spiritual, numerical, and financial. There are a couple of places to meet in town. Possibly the library, Lion's club, or even renting out a section from an established church. The planter would have to be able to relate to middle to upper middle class families. They would probably need to find ways to network within the community and find ways to get involved in keeping the Camp Hill looking good.