The officers of Camp Gilmont met on the campus near Gilmer on Thursday for a ground-breaking ceremony to begin construction of the 6,000-square-feet Crain Memorial Center.

This facility will be the centerpiece of Camp Gilmont, according to President Doyle Read.

The building will seat 300 campers, allowing the camp to host large groups for spiritual retreats, camps and conferences and other events.

The Crain Center is given in memory of the late B.W. Crain Jr. by his wife Ann Lacy Crain.

Crain was a distinguished architect, community leader, oil and gas executive and a lifelong Presbyterian.

The interior of the building will provide opportunities to recognize other contributions to the project like the Mobley family in memory of David Mobley, a former board member, the Susie and Paul Morris estate, church foundations and others.

Mrs. Crain selected Camp Gilmont for her generous gift because of the camp’s commitment to Christian ministry, especially to children and youth.

Camp Gilmont is owned and managed by a board of directors from Presbyterian churches in East Texas, including three Cumberland churches.

The officers are: Doyle Read, president; W. D. O’Neal, vice president and development officer; Mickey Melton, treasurer; and Scott Mackey, secretary.

Thomas Truitt is camp manager.

The committee charged to build the facility was chaired by Bob Osborne.

Members were Mike Hawkins, Jamey Walker, Marvin Terrell, Harry Hodges and Thomas Truitt. Missionary Tech, a non-profit Christian group, provided architectural and engineering services. The contractor is Transit Corp. of Longview.