ABOVE: Shiloh Apostolic Church, located in Henning on the northwest corner of U.S. 136 and Henning Road.
A Vermilion County court date is set for 2:30 PM Monday, August 14th for Gary Arivett, a man who faces multiple counts concerning alleged Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse with a family member, after serving for nearly three decades as pastor at the Shiloh Apostolic Church in Henning, located northwest of Route 136 and Henning Road.
When the charges first became known within the community, Henning resident Erin Morris posted a message of concern on Facebook. After that, she says multiple residents contacted her, stating that they or family members had also been abused.
(1st Picture) A view of Shiloh Apostolic Church from across the street at Donald R. Lucas Memorial Park. (2nd Picture) Property owned by Shiloh Apostolic Church nearby, on the east side of Route 1, where church rummage sales are sometimes held.
Since then, numerous Henning residents have been keeping close watch from the Donald R. Lucas Memorial Park that’s across Henning Road from the church; trying to make sure Arivett does not come near any children, should he appear at the church. Morris says Arivett lives within walking distance of the church, as well as close to property the church owns nearby, just east of Route 1, where the church often holds rummage sales.
AUDIO: Being the small town that we are, we want to make sure that our children are always safe and always protected. I’ve had parents reach out in concern recently; that they don’t even allow their kids to go to the park anymore, because it is across the street from the church. So, we want to make sure that our kids are always protected and always safe.
Calls to Shiloh Apostolic Church were met with either a busy signal, or a recorded message that the number was no longer in service. In addition, the church has placed a notice on their door, saying that the media is not allowed.
