Name/Title
Waupun Christian SchoolScope and Content
Historical information on Waupun Christian School for 1976 Bicentennial Celebration in Waupun, WI.
*Facts are typed and was scanned with mistakes, if any, left uncorrected.
Waupun Christian School, Waupun, Wisconsin 53963
March 30, 1976
A History of Waupun Christian School
In the late twenties a movement was set afoot for the establishment of a Christian School in Waupun, Several such schools were already established by Christian parents in various parts of our Country.
Wisconsin Classis of the Wisconsin Christian Reformed Churches, in its biannual meetings always admonished and encouraged Congregations, where there were as yet no established Christian Schools, to work toward that end. The nucleous or small beginning of our local School movement originated and had its beginning in the circle of our local Men's Society. Very little enthusiasm was at first shown for the movement, then a bit later when the years of depression came upon the Country, the faint spark disappeared for a time.
However, the long years of depression, an aftermath of World War I, finally abated and came to an end. The faint spark which we thought was extinguished, seemed to have smouldered unnoticed for a time and was again fanned into a mall blaze by supporters of the movement. More kindling was added from time to time, so that finally on April 27, 1937 a meeting was called by Rev. Conrad Veenstra, who presided at the meeting and gave a talk about reorganizing a Society of Parents for the advancement of Christian Instruction.
The result of this meeting was the re-organization of the School Society. A committee of three was appointed by the chairman to draw up a Constitution and to notify the Churches of Alto and the Reformed Church of Waupun of the time and place of our next meeting, This meeting was held May 26, 1937. Mr. John Buwalda was appointed chairman of this meeting by the committee. Mr. Buwalda gave a short report of the work done by the committee; read the Constitution, which was a revised and amended copy of the adopted Constitution of the former Society.
Very few members were signed up in the Spring of 1937. It was indeed a very small band; nevertheless, these few had courage, faith and vision for the future, which was not put to shame. With nearly each succeeding meeting new members were joined and in the Fall of 1937 the Board commenced scouting around for a suitable School Site.
The following year the Board conceived the idea of having a six week term of Summer school. The plan was implemented. Each summer for the next eight years summer schools were held in various places including the Lincoln Grade School.
In the early part of 1945 four sites for constructing a building were considered. The purchase was concluded in 1945 purchasing the southern half of the present site from Carl Johnson and the northern half from William Zieldorf for a total of $2,700. Architects were consulted and various building plans were considered, but no definite action was taken. The Society was not in favor
of building due to scarcity of materials and the high cost of construction.
Early in 1947 plans were again gone over with the expectation of having a school ready for the 1948 term. In the meantime the summer school sessions were terminated due to an extensive redecoration program in the Lincoln school. As it turned out the school was not ready until the 1949 term. Three rooms were built instead of the proposed four. The school began in the fall with a full capacity of 107 students. It was sincerely expected that it would be years before the rooms would be full and more rooms could be added.
Since the 1949 beginning enrollment grew, the school has expanded four times. By the late sixties the student population had grown to 220. The facilities now include 8 classrooms, 1 activity room, office, library-factulty room and a small gymnasium.Acquisition
Accession
2016.0075Source or Donor
Waupun Area Chamber of CommerceAcquisition Method
Donation
