March 15: Shadyrest Bible Church

3/15/2018

This Throwback Thursday comes from the Shadyrest Bible Church on Crosswicks-Chesterfield Road!
The Chesterfield mansion was purchased in 1946. Over 50 years later, the time came for a big renovation project. In September of 2002, the church broke ground on a sanctuary expansion project.
Top Photo: Left- Harriet Garren, Right- Rev. Virgil D. Garren

3 Comments

Constance Else

11/26/2020 02:19:44 am

I'm curious about the history of Shadyrest 187 crosswicks Chesterfield rd in Chesterfield

Recipes with Tom link

12/6/2020 09:41:45 pm

Thanks forr posting this

james porter link

9/24/2022 11:00:03 am

I attended Shadyrest Bible Conference starting in 1953 as a 9 year old boy. The Church was in a WWII wooden army barracks at that time and we had a summer Bible Conference for 5 weeks of meetings every night with a great featured speaker each week. There was a tiny both where we could buy refreshments after the conference each night and fellowship. It was called the "Chat & Chew." We also at some point years later built a large swimming pool which was a hit with us teenagers. We could go swimming after the evening conference weeknights during the summer (modest bathing attire only). The church Quartet consisted of Pastor Geren, Art Davies, Cal Moore, and Tom Kennedy. I also attended the "South Jersey Bible Institute" which was held at Shadyrest at that time. I am forever thankful for the wonderful Bible teaching and Pastor Geren's excellent expository messages which grounded me in the faith as I grew up from the age of 9 until I graduated from college. My last service at Shadyrest was a Wednesday night Prayer Meeting in August of 1965 and I was leaving the next morning to enter Navy Flight Training in Pensacola, FL. Pastor Geren had me go forward at the end of the service and he challenged me to remain faithful while serving in the navy and not let that environment become an excuse compromise my testimony. He used the verse Philippians 1:6 to remind me that God began a good work in me when I accepted Christ as my Savior as a 9 year old boy, and that God would be the one to perform His good work thru me until the day of Jesus Christ. That became my "life's verse" from that day on and I really appreciate the solid doctrinal background I was blessed to have at Shadyrest over those formative years. My heroes from Shadyrest are: Pastor & Mrs. Geren, Art Davies, Tom Kennedy, Bill Moser, and Miss Kay. Apart from my own Dad, Art Davies stands out as the greatest example in my life as to what characteristics a Christian man should display.

After two tours as a navy pilot, I left the service for a career in Real estate and in 2002 our family started an all volunteer ministry "Men's Barn Meeting." Basically we have a monthly meeting in a barn on a lake in Molino, FL. where we offer a full course steak supper with music followed by a guest speaker of the month who shares the gospel. We are not affiliated with any one church but the ministry is 100% run by volunteers from many area churches and the even is FREE, nothing to pay or join. God has blessed and to date we have had over 68,000 men and boys attend meetings and over 4,200 have accepted Christ as Savior at the Barn.

Thanks Shadyrest for your impact upon my life.

In His Service,
Jim Porter

Jim Porter

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OUR STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of the Chesterfield Township Historical Society is to bring together those people interested in history, especially the history of our township. Understanding the history of our township is basic to our democratic way of life, gives us a better understanding of our state and nation, and helps us better to appreciate our American heritage.