photograph
Catalog Number
T88-1509.207Description
Photograph showing the charred remains of the Central Avenue Christian School kindergarten, 11-29-1977.History
The first classes of what would eventually be known as the Holland Christian School system took place in the basement of the Central Avenue Christian Church in September 1901. Helena Jansen and Tena Holkeboer taught 90 students that first year.In September of 1902, students attended classes in their new, 4-room school building. This building was located on Central Avenue (the west side) between 14th and 15th Street. Ben Stegink was school principal in 1902, a position he held up to 1910.
In 1903, 4 more rooms were added to the Central Avenue school. Enrollment had reached 130 students that year, up from 120 the year before.
In 1923, Holland Christian High School opened on west 19th Street. 1941 saw the addition of West Side Elementary with South Side Elementary following in 1948.
In 1952, a new high school was erected on west 20th. The junior high students moved into the original high school building on west 19th that same year.
In 1958, Maplewood Christian and Rose Park Elementary opened. Another new high school was built in 1966, on Ottawa Avenue. Junior High students then moved, ca. 1967, into the old high school building on west 20th.
Central Avenue Christian School opened in September of 1902 on the grounds of the Central Avenue Christian Church. The school consisted of a 4 room, frame building and cost $3,185. 130 students attended that year with Ben Stegink serving as the first principal of the Holland Christian School system.
On 11-29-1977, the school building was destroyed by fire, the work of an arsonist.Read More