History of Mount Chestnut Nazarene Retreat Center

The vision for a permanent place for camp meetings began in 1919, while the Pittsburgh District Church of the Nazarene held a tent meeting in Butler, PA.

• In 1944, land at Alameda Park was purchased for $20,000 to use as our district camp.
• This property had 57 acres with much equipment already on the property.
• The first district camp was held July 6-16, 1944.
• The mortgage for the Alameda Property was burned at the 4th camp meeting.
• Throughout the years at Alameda, it was apparent that the grounds gave limitations such as hilly terrain, inadequate water system, no sewer system and deteriorating buildings.

• Due to the construction of Route 422 that was to go through our campgrounds and the need for expansion, the Pittsburgh District Church of the Nazarene sold Alameda Park to Butler County for $82,500.
• The Crisswell property was purchased, only to be later sold as it was deemed unwise to develop.
• In March 1966, property at Mt. Chestnut which was a combination of two farms totaling 60 acres was purchased.
• In June 1966, the District parsonage was built as a residential home for our District Superintendent for approximately $41,000. It has a total of 4,500 square feet of livable floor space. Main level living has 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, living room, dining room, eat in kitchen, den, two car garage, 2-bedroom lower-level living with full bath and office.
• The White House was also built for camp staff housing. This was a 3-bedroom house, 2 baths and a garage for $13,000.

• Grading and roadway construction began in June 1967.
• A well was drilled and construction of the sewer plant occurred summer of 1967.
• In June 1968, 4 dorms are constructed including plumbing, and concrete pads. Heat was not included in the construction.
• Water system (well and pump house) was completed in June 1968 for $9,000.
• The main water line was connected to all 4 dorms in 1968.
• In 1968 the Dining Hall construction began that would seat 250 people.
• Pittsburgh District Church of the Nazarene hosts their first camp meeting on our new property at Mt. Chestnut. During this time a district wide campaign began and after 15 months $90,000 was raised for the continuing development of Mt. Chestnut.
• A 2nd story-addition to the White House was built in 1969 to serve as the District Office.
• In 1970, the Staff Dorm (10 rooms and a basement).
• Summer of 1970, Pittsburgh District Church of the Nazarene hosts our own: Girls’ Camp, Senior High Camp, Junior High Camp, Conventions, Camp Meeting, Assembly and Boys’ Camp
• In summer 1972, Reider Pavilion (named after our District missionaries Rev. & Mrs. Stephen Reider) was built for youth to have a recreation facility.
• The Robert Heinlein Auditorium, tabernacle, was built in 1972. This included a cement floor, sidewalks, platform, and tent top.
• Nurse’s Dorm (Oak Grove) was built in 1974.

• In summer 1972, RV trailer sites were constructed.
• In fall of 1972, RV sites were extended: added 20 sites on Bresee Hill, 18 sites in Chapman Park, 20 sites in Reynold Woods.
• In March 1973, the addition of RV sites on Young’s Slope and construction of outhouses began.

• On the last Saturday evening at the 1980 camp meeting, a storm destroyed the tent top. Our pastors and laymen worked to develop a new plan - the tabernacle design that is still here today.
• In 1981 the steel structure, sidewalls, and the roof of the Robert Heinlein Auditorium (the Tabernacle) was constructed.
• On July 25, 2016, during our annual Family Camp Meeting, a microburst came through, took down many trees, and cut the power for 13 hours. Even with hundreds of campers on the grounds, no one was injured.
• The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic forced us to close from mid-March 2020 through mid-September 2020 and cancel all spring retreats and summer camps. Events resumed in September 2020, with restrictions.

• In the fall of 1998, we broke ground to build a year-round, multi-purpose building (gymnasium).
• In April 2000, the addition of Baun lobby was built to relocate and centralize the district office and provide a gathering place for guests.
• Dorm 2, now referred to as Gorring, was renovated (2001-2003) to include private restrooms and be available for year-round accessibility.
• In March 2002, conference rooms (Bennet rooms) were finished in the MPB.

• The development of Nazarene Retirement Village began in December 2002.
• The first home was placed in the Village in 2003.
• As of 2022 we currently have 22 mobile homes.

• In 1976, we partnered with the Calvary Baptist Church & Child Evangelism Outreach to host their summer camps.
• In 2003 Mt. Chestnut Nazarene Center hosted 80 events: retreats, family reunions, ministry training classes, camps, seminars. Nazarene Churches sponsored 11 events, outside groups, mostly churches sponsored the remaining 16 events
• Jen’s Academy a dance studio began renting our MPB throughout the year, teaching dance and gymnastic skills to many.
• In April 2005, Scrapbook Superstation booked their first scrapbooking retreat here.
• In Nov 2007, Scrapbook Superstation booked its second annual retreat during the winter.
• In October 2016, we partnered with a local quilter to host the first Mt. Chestnut Quilt Retreat.
• In March 2019 a new scrapbook event, Creative Memories, was added and is held here twice a year.
• In summer 2022 we are scheduled to host 9 summer camps, 3 of our own and 6 from outside denominations.

• The district and camp offices were relocated in March 2004 from the White House to Baun Lobby, where they exist today.
• Dorm 3 (Whitling) renovation work was completed in March 2004 to include 6 motel-style rooms with private restrooms and year-round accommodation.
• In May 2006, we had 22 acres with a farmhouse donated to our ministry.
• Dorm 4 renovation occurred in June 2006 giving this open room, bunk style facility a facelift and permitting year-round availability.
• In May 2007, an above-ground pool was purchased for installation behind the Chapel.
• Renovation of Dining Hall to expand the Snack Shack area began in May 2008.
• May 2012, excavation began for the addition of the pond.
• The addition of new Tabernacle bathhouses began in 2012.
• The volleyball pit was constructed in June 2012.
• Gaga pit was built in April 2016.
• The old wooden playground was demolished in August 2017 and replaced with a playground we won through an auction site, removed from a school in Washington D.C., and installed in Fall 2017.
• Freshened up the appearance of facilities by peeling wallpaper, painting, and added new decor to MPB lobbies, office, Baun Lobby Fall 2017.
• Overhaul of the dining hall with fresh paint, wainscot, barn doors, March 2019.
• In September 2020, we added a hammock park with 8 hammocks near the playground area.
• Work projects accomplished during the COVID shutdown in 2020 included adding LED lighting at the playground, exterior LED lights around the MPB, interior LED lights in the MPB, carpet tiles in the MPB runway, & refinishing the dining room tables.
• In July 2021 renovation of Dorm 1 began, giving this formerly open bunkhouse-style dorm 9 rooms with each having its own private restroom. This will permit year-round availability and will be ready for 2022.
• A fresh coat of paint was applied in the gym of the MPB, in January 2022.