Grand Rapids Christian High School - Memoir Yearbook (Grand Rapids, MI)

Page 17 text:

The Growth . . . The half-century which spans the history of the Grand Rapids Christian High School was a period of rich blessings, consistent progress and steady growth? E.R. Post Five Decades of Dedication by E.R.P. yaw Mmyly GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN HIGH - 1920 - 1970

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,- CHRISTIAN . eHIGH was organized in 1920 by a group of coneemed ' Christian parents under the direction of Reverendij. Heimenga. These parents believed that their chihiren should be brought up under the Christian iniluence and guidance of Christian teachers. They purchased a building on the corner of Franklin and Madison from Calvin College, and school began the 13011 wing F all When the initial enrollment of 269 st ' under the directigcn of. 10 faculty members 11 1 330 students sjljnde'h 13 teachers, the schodl re 7 it had to expand. On April 5, 1926, CeI1tra1 C. tion of secondary schools and has been ever since.- Finally in September of 1931 the Er'st bricks were 'Iai'd toward a much needed addition. This building, dedi- cated in March of 1932, included two labs, fxve class rooms and anew boiler. By 1941 there were 5741 pupils Enrolled at the school as the enrOllnient surpassed 500 for the iirst time. In September of that year the schools seCond addition became a reality. This build- ing included the chape1,a new oche eomple library, and a music room. Finding that even of a grow'111g 11001, the board made plans 133 a 911 addition. At a total coSt of just oven $40 5000, the old school was razed and in its place was built a 11:5? portion of the school as we know it today. This 3 tion included more science labs, a better library, more classrooms, session rooms and an enlarged 011106., 1 During this- construction, the school reached its 25th anniversary and a celebration Was held at the Civic Auditorium. Here'it was noted that already the Schhol had graduated over 2500 students. In'F'ebmary of : , p Central Gmaan had met 1009 student ., r001 as the enrollment jumped to 1090 Under,m,,this increased enrollrhent, the board purchased the .M 1 street. This building was- used for the 10th. 'gfadets. Still lacking a gym, the board set about to relieve this problem in the spring of 1955. Seating over 2000 people, the gym was dedicated' m 1957 to 19 of Central Christian s graduates who gave their litres on behalf 0 enrollmeilt of Central Christian giew to mm; 1400 1963 the sjch'gql board decided that it should split with an average of 815 years experience at Christian. Over 10,000 high school diplomih , been handed out: thus far, and the number r'rises. about 250 Seniors receive their certificatesiyearlyi 9