Early Camp MeetingsThe first settlers in the Niagara region were United Empire Loyalists who emigrated from the United States of America at the end of the American Revolution and later settlers who arrived in the early nineteenth century. A large number of these settlers were Methodists who looked to circuit riders or saddlebag preachers for spiritual guidance. They visited the settlers to pray, sing hymns, preach and minister to these families. The early circuit riders were always warmly welcomed into the communities. One of the first circuit riders in the Niagara Peninsula was Peter Bowslaugh who emigrated from the United States in 1800.As Upper Canada (Ontario) became more populated, the number of churches and circuits increased. The camp meetings became organized social and religious gatherings. In the early nineteenth century the Methodists held a camp meeting each summer. The meeting generally lasted one week to ten days. Its purpose was to ensure the settlers had sufficient religious sustenance for the winter months. The camp meeting was not only a religious event, but also a social occasion, which provided friends and relatives the opportunity to gather together.