RACE TRACK CHAPLAINCY
OF AMERICA

Pennsylvania Division, Inc.

The Story Of Chaplains
At Philadelphia Park
 Racetrack

By Chaplain Jack Cordell

God has poured his love upon Philadelphia Park since the day Rev. Rae Cameron arrived as its first part-time Chaplain in 1975.  While Pastor of Frankford Baptist Church in Philadelphia , Rev. Cameron had previously ministered at the former Liberty Bell Racetrack, replaced by Franklin Mills Mall in Philadelphia .  Pastor Cameron’s records show that from 1971 to 1975 he and other pastors from Pennsylvania and New Jersey met to develop outreaches to racetracks.  Doors to the tracks opened for Rae when he contacted Chaplain “Salty” Roberts, founder of Race Track Chaplaincy of America.  Of great help was also Rev. Homer Tricules, an American Baptist Chaplain serving tracks in New Jersey .  The hard work and prayers were about to bear fruit.

In those formative days, the Race Track Coordinating Committee led the way, consisting of pastors from American Baptist and Southern Baptist churches in Pennsylvania and New Jersey .  The Committee, formed in April of 1972, enabled Rev. Cameron to become the first part-time Chaplain at Keystone Park (later renamed Philadelphia Park ).  His contract called for him to work at the track two days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., serving those working on the backstretch.  Churches near the track provided meals and/or refreshments and led worship services with Pastor Cameron.  The ministry steadily gained strength through the dedicated efforts of men and women who cared deeply for the stable employees.

        In October of 1980, the chaplaincy took another stride forward.  God led Rev. Nick Salios to serve as part-time Chaplain at both Philadelphia Park and Penn National Race Course, near Grantville , PA.   This Chaplain remembers hearing “Salty” speak at the RTCA national meetings in 2001 at which “Salty” recalled the night he went to the home of Rev. Salios to enlist him in ministry to racetracks.  Nick accepted the invitation, and his dedication and vision for the ministry enabled both works to flourish, despite his having to drive back and forth, dividing his time weekly between the tracks for 12 years!  Growth and innovation characterized the labors of Chaplain Salios. 

During that time the Race Track Chaplaincy of America in Pennsylvania , New Jersey and Delaware enjoyed the guidance and supervision of the Tri-State Council.  However, in November of 1991 the Pennsylvania Division Council formed as the work continued to grow under the leadership of Chaplain Salios and his wife, Rose, his Assistant.  In 1992, the management of Philadelphia Park invited Rev. Salios to become its first fulltime Chaplain.  Thanks to their devotion and compassion, Nick and Rose Salios pioneered most of the racetrack ministries existing in Pennsylvania today.  Furthermore, they garnered support from American Baptist churches throughout the nation.  In 1999, Nick retired as Chaplain, having given nearly two decades of his life to racetracks throughout Pennsylvania and across the United States , becoming a strategic leader in the Race Track Chaplaincy of America.  For several months following the retirement of Chaplain Salios, Chris Hinton served as Chaplain followed by Interim Chaplain, Charles Patane.  The work at Philadelphia Park Racetrack would continue to thrive under the able leadership of a strong and effective Council.

Early in 2000 Chaplain Salios and the Council of the RTCA, PA Division, contacted Rev. Jack Cordell, Pastor of Crossroads Community Baptist Church in Erie , PA.   The Council extended a call to Rev. Cordell to become the next Chaplain at Philadelphia Park , and in June of 2000, he began his ministry here.  Since coming to the track, Jack has expanded the work so very ably established by Nick and Rose Salios.  This website is a part of the expansion, enabling the Chaplain to communicate the work to churches and individuals.  He has also focused on developing greater involvement by area churches and pastors of various denominations as well as community organizations.  The Chaplain’s efforts have been wonderfully blessed by a growing participation by these organizations and churches.  For more than thirty years, God has kept His hand on the work at Philadelphia Park , displaying His love through those who care.  The future of the work is bright, because God continues to shine His love upon it.