Finding religion – in a Caddy

Bethel AME Church in Moorestown will hold a classic car show in its parking lot from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 30.

The event is expected to be a day full of community, cars and worship, and will follow morning service at 10:30 a.m.

“I came back to church through cars, so I just feel as though that I wanted to share with the world how God has ministered to me through cars,” said host Wayne Thompson.

Thompson was on his way to work one morning when he saw a 1976 Cadillac for sale. He connected with the owner of the car, who asked him to come to church, and ever since, Thompson has attended Bethel AME.

“That was God bringing me back to church,” Thompson noted. “That happened four years ago, and I’ve been coming almost every Sunday since.”

Earlier this year, Thompson showcased his 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham in the Philadelphia Auto Show, and the church car show will mark the first time he’s driven the vehicle since. The car belonged to his grandfather, who left it to Thompson after he died. Thompson has kept the Cadillac at his grandmother’s house to this day.

“That (the Philadelphia Auto Show) actually gave me more experience because the car was on TV, so I figured why not show it to everybody in person also?” Thompson recalled. “ … I’ve been going to car shows since 2007, so for me to finally be in the Philadelphia Auto Show, which is the goal, I feel like I reached the goal … I wasn’t thinking about that car until that car show.”

Classic car owners interested in participating in the church auto show can contact Thompson at (609) 605-1407. Spectators are welcome for free and information can also be found on Bethel AME’s Facebook page.

“This is our first car show, so I didn’t just try and target old cars, I didn’t just try to target new cars, I didn’t just try to target the older generation … I just contributed to everything,” Thompson said. “ … Our church has been doing things a certain way for years, so I’m just trying to come in and change it up a little bit.”