35°3′38.3″N 80°54′42.3″W / 35.060639°N 80.911750°W / 35.060639; -80.911750
53-466: Heritage USA was an American Christian-themed water park , theme park and residential complex in Fort Mill, South Carolina , built by televangelist Jim Bakker and his wife Tammy Faye Bakker , founders of The PTL Club . The park, which occupied 2,300 acres (9.3 km; 3.6 sq mi), was built by church builder Roe Messner . Since its closure in 1989, projects have been constructed on
106-493: A wave pool or flowrider . Water parks have grown in popularity since their roots of public swimming pools in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The first water park featuring water slides and wave pools was Wet 'n Wild, which opened in Orlando, Florida, in 1977. The United States has the largest and most concentrated water park market, with over 1,000 water parks and dozens of new parks opening each year. Major organizations are
159-648: A 'hostile takeover' of the television ministry by people threatening to expose a sexual encounter he admitted to having seven years earlier with church secretary Jessica Hahn ." Photographs of Falwell's water-slide plunge circulated worldwide. Video of the slide is also available on YouTube. At Heritage USA's peak, when it earned $ 126 million per year, the IRS revoked its tax exemption. Soon after Bakker's federal indictment and public condemnation for raping and drugging Jessica Hahn with another man in his employ, John Fletcher, seven years before, park attendance dropped. Falwell said
212-476: A 30-minute version produced to incorporate the entire series along with never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews. In early 2014, INSP moved forward in their commitment to original content, creating the position of Vice President of Original Programming. In 2015, INSP co-produced, with Susie Films, an original American reality television series entitled Handcrafted America . Handcrafted America originally aired exclusively on INSP. After its linear run,
265-534: A converted/renovated former PTL warehouse near the Heritage Grand Hotel, for $ 3.81 million on April 24, 2014; according to York County, South Carolina tax records. Antioch moved their church to a property at 8400 Regent Parkway (address since renumbered/renamed 453 Glynwood Forest Drive) and now uses the former Barn Auditorium as their new church home. The complex comprising The Barn & studios has since been renamed The River Place. In January 2009,
318-413: A development plan in 2005 that would have required the tower be torn down. Later, MorningStar persuaded the county to let the ministry complete the tower. In 2013, MorningStar sued the county for breaching the development agreement, and the county claimed MorningStar did. The county continued to appeal its claims until 2019, and a joint agreement in 2020 gave MorningStar time to start the process of finishing
371-500: A focus after the 2010 re-brand, beginning with A Walton’s Family Reunion , starring surviving cast members of The Waltons who journey back to Walton's Mountain almost 30 years after the series ended its iconic run. In 2011, a web network series entitled Moments was launched. Originally airing exclusively on INSP, Moments is an original, short-form inspirational video series that ranges in formats like documentary, narrative, and interviews, with each sharing an uplifting story. One of
424-405: A golf course and residential development on most of the former Heritage USA property. For a short period in the 1990s, MUI operated the 501-room hotel and resort under a management agreement with Radisson Hotels , calling the property the "Radisson Grand Resort," but the complex was not successful as a secular venture and ultimately closed and fell into disrepair. In December 2004, the remainder of
477-427: A group called "Friends of The Upper Room" created an online petition to Flames-of-Fire Ministry and Coulston Enterprises—then owners of The Upper Room—asking them to consider donating the property to another ministry or selling it at a reduced price to save the property from rumored demolition plans. The Upper Room building and surrounding properties were placed on the market. In November 2010, over 565 people had signed
530-452: A multimedia production and training company founded in 1986 by former PTL Television Network executive Dr. Dale Hill, for the portion of the property encompassing the former Barn auditorium, Total Learning Center and PTL Television Network Studios. The studio production facility was renamed "The Broadcast Group Complex". The former PTL Television Studios and adjacent Total Learning Center complex were almost immediately renovated and reopened upon
583-417: A new logo, tagline and name change from Inspiration to INSP. At the end of 2021, Variety reported that INSP's household viewers were up 1,171% since 2010. In 2022, INSP changed its logo to include a cowboy hat to emphasize the growing success of its western -based shows and films. Prior to the logo change, INSP had also introduced the tagline, “Heroes Live Here.” Its focus on western-based programming
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#1732797608684636-469: A proposed merger with Tegna and Standard Media . The sale was completed on August 1. In September 2023, Comcast 's cable television division Xfinity announced that it would be removing INSP from its basic cable package and moving it to its "More Sports & Entertainment Package," a package that primarily includes sports networks; this was controversial on Xfinity's forum, and Reddit 's subreddit devoted to Comcast/Xfinity. Many customers assumed
689-756: Is another huge water park in the Dells. The largest indoor water park in the UK is Sandcastle Water Park in Blackpool , England, which opened in 1986. There are many water parks in southern Europe where the climate suits a long season. For example, in Portugal 's Algarve , there are three main parks: Aqualand, Aquashow, and Slide and Splash. Water play areas are similar to water parks and include urban beaches , splash pads , and smaller collections of water slides in many hotels and public swimming pools . For example,
742-500: Is headquartered in Indian Land, South Carolina - a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina . Between 1991 and 2010, INSP was a non-profit ministry focused network. In October 2010, it was re-branded and launched as a socially conservative, commercial-supported family entertainment network (over time becoming centered around westerns), and has Nielsen C3 ratings status. As of 2021, more than 60 million households receive INSP. INSP
795-635: Is in 2016 the largest indoor water park in the world. With five indoor water parks, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin has been dubbed the "Water Park Capital of the World". It showcases several of America's largest indoor and outdoor water parks, such as Noah's Ark Water Park . Wisconsin Dells is also home to the first indoor water park in the United States, which was debuted in 1994 by the Polynesian Resort Hotel. Success in extending
848-402: Is now available on streaming services. The series stars former American Idol winner Taylor Hicks , who travels the country tasting each state's most symbolic and popular foods, from appetizers and main courses to sides and desserts. Maureen McCormick also served as a guest host on the show. During the same year, INSP piloted a reality series, The Cowboy Way . The show ran until 2020 for
901-1534: Is said to be the reason behind its continued ratings success, with primetime viewing growing 17% on the previous year. On March 30, 2022, it was announced that Imagicomm Communications, a shell company affiliated with INSP, would enter the broadcasting business by purchasing 18 stations in 12 markets from Cox Media Group , namely KYMA in Yuma, Arizona ; KIEM and KVIQ-LD in Eureka, California ; KPVI in Idaho Falls, Idaho ; KLAX in Alexandria, Louisiana ; WABG , WNBD and WXVT in Greenwood, Mississippi ; WICZ in Binghamton, New York ; WSYT in Syracuse, New York ; KOKI and KMYT in Tulsa, Oklahoma ; KMVU and KFBI-LD in Medford, Oregon ; WHBQ in Memphis, Tennessee ; KAYU in Spokane, Washington ; and KCYU-LD and KFFX in Yakima, Washington for an undisclosed price to help them comply with regulatory requirements related to
954-509: Is the parent company of Laura Ashley plc , which moved its US headquarters and distribution center to the property. The corporate offices of Laura Ashley are located in the former PTL World Outreach Center, a pyramid-shaped building that formerly housed the Bakkers' offices and those of the leaders of PTL. Since MUI purchased the building, it has been renamed "The Regent Building". Through its local subsidiary Regent Carolina Corporation, MUI built
1007-593: The Chelsea Hotel in Toronto features a four-story water slide called the Corkscrew. According to estimates from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission , more than 4,200 people annually are sent to emergency rooms from suffering injuries on public waterslides. In July 2015, one drowning and at least three near-drownings were reported at water parks in the United States. On August 7, 2016, Caleb Schwab,
1060-472: The IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) and WWA ( World Waterpark Association ), which is the industry trade association. Water parks which emerge from spas tend to more closely resemble mountain resorts, as they become year-round destinations. For example, Splash Universe Water Park Resort is themed to match the community in which it is located. The theme is intended to enhance
1113-645: The 10-year-old son of American politician Scott Schwab , was decapitated on the Verrückt water ride at the Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City , Kansas. Following the fatal incident, Verrückt permanently closed. The Inspiration Network INSP (formerly The Inspiration Network ; the initialism is sounded out letter-by-letter) is an American digital cable television network that features primarily westerns (both shows and movies) and
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#17327976086841166-467: The 2000s, an effort was made to reduce long waiting lines by introducing conveyor belts to lift passengers or use water jets. An unusual feature at a water park is ice skating . Deep River Water Park in northwestern Indiana features ice skating, made possible by cooling pipes installed under their massive plaza. Some of the first indoor water parks are Tikibad at Duinrell (The Netherlands, 1984), Nautiland located at Haguenau (France, 1984),
1219-544: The 501-room Heritage Grand Hotel, the attraction Main Street USA, an indoor shopping complex, the Heritage Village Church, Upper Room, a 400-unit campground , The Jerusalem Amphitheater, conference facilities, King's Castle, a skating rink, prayer and counseling services, cable television production studios, Bible and evangelism school, visitor retreat housing, staff and volunteer housing, timeshares and
1272-647: The Aqua Mundo at Center Parc De Eemhof located at Zeewolde (The Netherlands, 1980) and Alpamare (Pfäffikon) (Switzerland, 1977). In 1986 World Waterpark was open in Edmonton , Alberta, Canada at the West Edmonton Mall . It is in 2016 the largest indoor water park in North America. Tropical Islands Resort ( Germany ), with an area of 66,000 m (710,418 sq ft),
1325-580: The Heritage Island water park and recreational facilities. It was the third-largest theme park by attendance, with 4.9 million visitors per year, behind only Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida and Disneyland in Anaheim, California . Heritage USA was described as a Christian version of Disneyland; before the scandal leading to its closure, Jim Bakker had plans to expand the park. According to
1378-581: The IRS placed a tax lien for $ 13.2 million on Regent Carolina Corporation, which had not yet transferred control of the golf course, common areas and roads to the Regent Park homeowners association. The golf course was subsequently sold to Southern Gailes. In 2018, Rick Joyner expressed interest in rebuilding the theme park. Coulston entered into a lease/purchase agreement in April 2009 with The Broadcast Group,
1431-620: The PTL Television network filed for bankruptcy. Morris Cerullo World Evangelism eventually purchased the network from the United States Bankruptcy Court in Columbia, South Carolina . Morris’ son, David, was later named CEO of the network. David Cerullo remains as its CEO. In October 2010, the network announced a major re-branding with an added emphasis on family programming. Along with the re-branding came
1484-637: The September 21, 1987, issue of Time magazine, televangelist Jerry Falwell "plunged" down a 163 feet (50 m) "hellish" water slide called the "Typhoon" wearing a suit, fulfilling "a promise made during a fund-raising drive that netted $ 20 million for the debt-ridden PTL". This drive eventually took the PTL Club and Heritage USA from Jim Bakker. The article said Jim Bakker "arranged for Falwell to take over PTL in March in an effort to avoid what he called
1537-519: The Upper Room Chapel. The facility underwent extensive restoration; the outdoor "Walk of Faith" was restored and is again used as a house of intercessory prayer. It will ultimately be open 24 hours a day, with live video streaming through a website. MorningStar Fellowship Church bought the tower from Coulston Enterprises in 2004 on the condition that the tower be torn down in two years, or Coulston would be paid $ 300,000. York County approved
1590-812: The West Was Won . Movies regularly aired by INSP (as of January 9, 2024) include More Dead Than Alive , Rage at Dawn , Gun the Man Down , High Lonesome , Hardcase , Yuma , Fort Dobbs , Yellowstone Kelly , The Outlaw Josey Wales , They Call Me Trinity , Joe Kidd , Comanche Station , Tall Man Riding , Badman's Territory , Man in the Saddle , Tulsa , Ambush at Cimarron Pass , Colt .45 , and Open Range . In its early years, INSP produced numerous original specials, concerts, and inspirational entertainment programs. The development of original entertainment content became
1643-742: The amphitheater was demolished as part of Coulston's plan to retrofit it with a roof and turn it into a venue for youth concerts. This never materialized and the amphitheater remained abandoned for many years before being demolished in October 2012. Water park A water park (also waterpark , water world , or aquapark ) is an amusement park that features water play areas such as swimming pools , water slides , splash pads , water playgrounds, and lazy rivers , as well as areas for floating, bathing, swimming, and other barefoot environments. Modern water parks may also be equipped with some type of artificial surfing or bodyboarding environment, such as
Heritage USA - Misplaced Pages Continue
1696-491: The buildings. Heritage USA closed shortly after the storm. In 1991, the Heritage USA property was purchased for $ 52 million by San Diego evangelist Morris Cerullo in partnership with a Malaysian investment group, MUI Group (Malayan United Industries Berhad). The property was renamed "New Heritage USA". The partnership between Cerullo and MUI ended over a disagreement concerning Cerullo's issuance of discount cards for
1749-530: The change was not meant to benefit customers, as Xfinity claimed, but instead was to "charge [seniors] $ 10 for INSP even though INSP does not charge Xfinity for its programming." In May 2022, INSP launched the Cowboy Way Channel , an Internet streaming service aimed at younger viewers. Named for INSP's original series, The Cowboy Way: Alabama , the channel features other original series and Western- and outdoor-themed movies. On July 25, 2024, it
1802-547: The closing of the lease/purchase agreement in 2009. The Barn Auditorium renovations were completed in April 2012 and the facility was reopened and renamed "The Barn at Regent Park". In February 2014, The Broadcast Group suddenly relocated their operations from the buildings to a nearby office park in Fort Mill and shortly afterwards it was announced that all of the buildings and the surrounding 18-acre property had been acquired by Antioch International Church , which operated from
1855-511: The community's destination appeal. Therefore, the amusement and leisure-time industry is becoming more concentrated, as winter sports are becoming common themes in summertime water recreation. A process of concentration can be observed in the hybrid versions of theme- , amusement- , and water parks. Some water parks are more spa-oriented. For example, SchwabenQuellen has no water slides; it has instead many saunas , steam rooms , "adventure showers", and relaxation-oriented water play areas. In
1908-701: The featured short videos, "Thank You For Your Service" , quickly went viral: it has been featured on ABC ’s The View , the Pentagon Channel , and USAA ’s web site. It has been shown at several national conventions and conferences, including the American Legion , Veterans of Foreign Wars , Vietnam Veterans of America , and Jewish War Veterans . In 2013, INSP was honored by the Vietnam War Commemoration for Thank You For Your Service . General Claude “Mick” Kicklighter noted
1961-404: The former Heritage USA property, began demolishing "The King's Castle", an abandoned arcade and go-kart track that was originally intended to house the world's largest Wendy's restaurant. The building was under construction at the time of the Bakkers' departure in the late 1980s; construction ceased when Heritage USA entered bankruptcy and payments to contractor Roe Messner were stopped. The castle
2014-420: The land it once occupied, portions of which have been sold to several companies. The former Heritage USA facilities in Fort Mill, South Carolina, which were purchased by MorningStar Fellowship Church in 2004, were renamed Heritage International Ministries (H.I.M.). Heritage USA opened in 1978, and by 1986, it attracted nearly 6 million visitors annually and employed around 2,500 people. The facilities included
2067-595: The park competed unfairly with tax-paying attractions and that the tax-exempt ministry should be separated from PTL's business interests. Under Falwell's leadership, Heritage USA sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with debts estimated at $ 72 million. In return for a promised lifetime annual four-day vacation stay, 165,000 people had donated $ 1,000 to Jim Bakker's planned Heritage USA hotel tower; each donor received $ 6.54 in compensation. Starting in 1987, Bakker's legal and personal troubles made headlines, and in September 1989, Hurricane Hugo caused severe damage to many of
2120-585: The petition and rumors that The Upper Room's owners planned to demolish it continued to circulate. In May 2010, the Friends of the Upper Room called for interested people worldwide to pray daily to ensure the building's future. On November 19, 2010, it was announced that The Upper Room had been acquired by Christian concert promoter Russell James, who planned to begin renovations on December 1, 2010, with planned opening date of January 1, 2011; it would be known as
2173-541: The property purchased by the ministry, including the Heritage tower, despite a few wishing to see the tower torn down and erecting a new billboard on Interstate 77 calling for its demolition. The buildings that had housed Flames-of-Fire were sold to The Broadcast Group, a television and multi-media production company headed by Dr. Dale Hill, who formerly worked for Bakker and PTL. Coulston Enterprises has developed several new subdivisions that include houses and restaurants on
Heritage USA - Misplaced Pages Continue
2226-470: The property was sold to Coulston Enterprises, owned by local developer and former MUI executive Earl Coulston. Coulston Enterprises sold portions of the property that had housed the PTL Ministry to MorningStar Ministries of Charlotte, headed by Rick Joyner ; and Flames-of-Fire Ministries of Fort Mill, headed by Coulston's wife Sabrina. MorningStar has undertaken ongoing renovations to the portions of
2279-434: The rear portion of the building. MorningStar had originally intended the castle to be renovated and used as a youth center but later determined that it had been too heavily vandalized and was in too much disrepair to renovate. Coulston approached MorningStar and offered to pay for the cost of demolition because it was partially on his property and abutted a nearby housing complex he was developing. As soon as demolition began, it
2332-595: The remainder of the property. In January 2006, a 24-hour prayer ministry opened at the former Heritage USA. Musicians and prayer leaders formed The Zadok House of Prayer (ZHOP) after relocating from the International House of Prayer in Kansas City . In April 2009, ZHOP vacated the grounds, and the building that housed their ministry, a former PTL warehouse complex, was sold to MorningStar Fellowship Church. It now houses MorningStar's K-12 private school Comenius School of Creative Leadership (CSCL). In late 2006,
2385-557: The series was licensed by Amazon Prime . In Handcrafted America , host Jill Wagner travels the country to seek out talented artisans who continue to make products the traditional way—with their own two hands. Throughout each program, artisans are given the opportunity to reveal the history and cultural heritage that inspire and influence the design of their handcrafted products. In 2016, INSP co-produced, with RIVR Media, an original American reality television series entitled State Plate . State Plate originally aired exclusively on INSP. It
2438-421: The theme park. MUI filed suit against Cerullo and ultimately bought out his interest in the venture, renaming the property Regent Park . Cerullo retained control of PTL's cable network, which at the time was known as "The Inspirational Network", ultimately moving it to Charlotte, North Carolina and renaming it "The New Inspirational Network". As of March 2018, it is known as The Inspiration Network (INSP). MUI
2491-515: The tourist season and turning water park resorts into vacation destinations has resulted in tremendous industry growth. Usually, resort hotels featuring massive indoor water parks have been reserved for overnight guests. Companies like Great Wolf Resorts /Great Wolf Lodge and Kalahari Resorts have branched out from their origin in Wisconsin Dells to open new locations around the country. Mt. Olympus Theme and Water Park (formerly Family Land)
2544-591: The tower for senior housing. The county reinstated lawsuits in 2021, and continues to claim the tower should have come down by 2013 because it is unfit for the purpose. On March 16, 2022, the county stated in a news release that it never stood in MorningStar's way but says codes require an unsafe building to be demolished. Numerous supporters of MorningStar have asked York County Council to change its mind, and MorningStar has filed another legal motion. On March 19, 2013, developer Earl Coulston, who had purchased much of
2597-416: The video's impact: “This stirring tribute never fails to inspire deep emotions. It has helped bring healing and encouragement to true patriots, many of whom have felt taken for granted and ignored.” Old Henry is a series of interstitials on INSP that starred Ralph Waite ( The Waltons ) and Rachel Hendrix ( October Baby ). The drama initially aired in October 2013 as a series of six interstitials, with
2650-494: Was announced that the channel would be rebranding as Western Bound on September 3. Currently, INSP features mostly Westerns (both series and movies), with Mike Murdock 's Campmeeting in the early mornings. As of January 9, 2024, western TV series regularly aired by INSP include Gunsmoke , Bonanza , Wagon Train , The Virginian , Rawhide , Tales of Wells Fargo , The Rifleman , Laramie , The Big Valley , Cheyenne , Alias Smith and Jones , and How
2703-556: Was founded in 1978 as the PTL Television Network, a religious television network founded by Christian televangelists Jim Bakker and his wife, Tammy Faye Bakker . The network was the flagship channel for their daily Christian variety program, The PTL Club . The network later became known as the PTL Satellite Network and finally PTL – The Inspirational Network. In 1990, after Jim Bakker resigned,
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#17327976086842756-550: Was halted the same day because the contractor did not have proper permission from either the State of South Carolina or York County. Demolition resumed once the proper permits were secured and the site has since been cleared. The property encompassing the "Jerusalem Amphitheater" (also known as "King's Arena") and campground is owned by Earl Coulston. The campgrounds have been renovated and are now known as Crown Cove RV Park. The outdoor amphitheater has been demolished. A large portion of
2809-406: Was later completed by Heritage USA's then-new owner Regent Carolina Corporation (f/k/a New Heritage Carolina Corporation), a subsidiary of MUI Corporation of Malaysia. It was used for several years as an arcade and go-kart track before closing and falling into disrepair and abandonment. Coulston jointly owned the building with neighboring MorningStar Fellowship Church as his property line ran through
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