Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Serepta revival turns 100

Serepta Shed Revival has completed it's 100th year.

Serepta Shed is in Serepta Springs about three miles out of Laneburg.

In 1902 the community joined together and started an annual revival for all denominations. The residents built a small shed with church pews and a small stage. The community then decided July of every year the revival would occur. Since then the tradition has continued.

Jodie Waddle, 84, remembers going to The Serepta Shed as a young child, he said, "I remember when it was wagon and team, there were animals tied to every tree out there, people really looked forward to it then."

Waddle said he remembered there were a 100 or more people gathered together in those days.

Waddle said he could remember several evangelist who had visited the shed, he mentioned, Thurman White, Dale Gentry, and others.

Kathy Johnson helps organize Serepta Shed now. She said every year the community joins together to bring out fans, sound systems, and other equipment about an hour before the revival begins.

She said each night they load everything up  in fear of burglaries.

The revival began this year with Jerry Westmoreland and continued on with a preacher from a different denomination each night.

Johnson said there were close to 50 or more people present at this year's annual event.

She said she really wishes the younger generations would become involved in the revival.

"When the old-timers are gone, we will need to keep it going," Johnson said.

She said people her age and younger should want to keep things going for generations to come.

She said, "This generation, baby boomers, and younger, really need to get involved."

The Serepta Shed Revival has made 100 years, Johnson said by involving more people, the tradition can continue for 100 more.