History of the Restoration Movement


William Joseph Camp

1847-1934

Joseph (Joe) Camp - born 1847, died 1934. Married 1866 to Elizabeth Smith (born 1843, died 1927). They had six sons and one daughter. He was the postmaster at Hopeful, Alabama in the 1880’s or 1890’s, and when that post office moved to Munford, Alabama he became the first Postmaster there. In 1878, J.M. Joiner came into the Hopeful community preaching the old time gospel. Joe Camp, then a Baptist, convinced to follow the Scriptures alone, was immersed for the remission of his sins. He and a few others started the Hopeful Church of Christ. "Uncle Joe," as he was called, was highly respected as he  preached and taught the Bible in small communities, including Hopeful and Munford.

Joseph and Elizabeth had six son and one daughter. One of their sons, Benjamin Franklin, grew to become a gospel preacher in the area. Later, his son, Joseph Franklin Camp also preached. Franklin's sister Ora, married Raymond Clark. To them was born Winfred Clark, Joe's great grandson, who preached the gospel. Winfred's son, Jimmy preaches to this day at Bethel Church of Christ in Madison County, Alabama. A cousin, Shane Clark, is the minister for the Munford Church of Christ in Munford, Alabama. Thus, five generations of Camps & Clarks have and still do preach the simple gospel of Christ.

For more information on the Camp and Clark Heritage, download an audio presentation on the history of the Camp/Clark family here.


William Joseph "Uncle Joe" Camp & wife, Elizabeth

Family Of Uncle Joe and Elizabeth Camp


Uncle Joe and Elizabeth sitting center.
Son, B.F. Camp in back on far left.

Directions To The Grave of Joe Camp

W.J. Camp is buried in the small town of his birth, Munford, Alabama. East of Birmingham take Exit 185, Oxford/Anniston Exit. Turn south and go 9.2 miles on Hwy. 21. Turn right on Main St. You will pass the Munford Church of Christ on the right. Continue on Main St. cross the Railroad tracks and the road splits. Stay to the right, going down behind the old building facing the tracks. and turn right on Jennifer. Go 2/10 miles on Jennifer and turn left on Cemetery Circle. As you bear to the left you will begin seeing the Camp family markers on right. Close by will be the graves of his son, Benjamin Franklin Camp, and his grandson, Joseph Franklin Camp, both of whom were Gospel Preachers.

While in the area, be sure to visit the grave of Camp's nephew, Winfred Clark.

The actual GPS location of the grave is: 33°32'04.0"N 85°57'17.8"W / or D.d. 33.534455, -85.954942



Looking back toward entrance of cemetery, The graves of B.F. Camp & Franklin Camp lie just ahead


Elizabeth Smith
wife of
W.J. Camp
Born
November 30, 1843
Died
July 15, 1927
She now sweetly rests


W.J. Camp
Born
July 28, 1847
Died
February 22, 1934

Photos Taken In 2003
Courtesy of Scott Harp
www.TheRestorationMovement.com

Jimmy Clark Discusses The Camp/Clark Family Preachers - mp3

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