About Us

Our Purpose

To be a resource, set apart from the world, contributing to the growth of the Kingdom of God. 

Our Vision

To support ongoing and evolving opportunities that invite our guests to experience physical and spiritual rest, relaxation, and renewal. 

Our Mission

Serving our guests through providing excellence in Christian hospitality.

Welcome to the 
Welcome to the 

Mt. Chestnut Retreat Center

Whether you are planning a business retreat, client networking weekend, church board retreat, teen camp, or children's camping weekend, we exist to serve you. We also have facilities for family reunions, wedding receptions, and corporate training. 

If you are looking for a place to have your church or ministry banquet, our experienced chef is waiting to serve you. Our rural and peaceful setting is perfect for a pastoral retreat. And our spacious camping areas provide an excellent stopping point for weary travelers looking for a Christian-friendly environment. 

We believe you will find our facilities and staff to be excellent. Our pricing is very competitive, and we seek to provide the highest quality of service at the most reasonable cost.

Contact Us

Our History

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.
  • 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.