5 say church volunteer - now under arrest - raped them as girls

A VOLUNTEER accused of raping young girls who belonged to his Cedarbrook church from 1997 to 2004 was arrested and charged after five victims came forward over the weekend, police said yesterday.

Courtney Wilson, 56, of Brinton Street near Musgrave in East Germantown, faces charges including rape, indecent sexual assault, corruption of a minor and related offenses, police said.

On Sunday, five women in their mid-20s went to the 35th District, at Broad Street and Champlost Avenue, and told police that Wilson, formerly a volunteer at the Remnant Church of God 7th Day, on Ogontz Avenue near 78th, sexually assaulted them when they were between 10 and 14 years old.

"This male was suspended from being involved in anything in the church, and as years passed, it sort of went away," Special Victims Unit Lt. Anthony McFadden said, adding that one of the incidents was reported to church officials, but not to police.

"Then it just so happened that there was some type of meeting with families, and they found out other people were victims, started making connections and realized five are all victims."

McFadden said that while Wilson volunteered at the church, he mentored children and transported them to and from school.

"He was able to get their trust then unfortunately took advantage of it," McFadden said.

Police said any other alleged victims should contact the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3251.