Biking and walking

History of the Western Suburbs Christian School

A strong commitment to Christian education has always been evident at the Christian Reformed Church of Western Springs. In 1959, a parcel of land at 55^th Street and Fair Elms was donated for the purpose of building a Christian school in Western Springs. The consistory reported the donation to the congregation on January 11, 1953.

Report to the Congregation:

During the past few weeks, one of the members of the Congregation has been in contact with Mr. G. L. Bruckert in regard to the possibility of acquiring a site for a Christian School. After several consultations, Mr. Bruckert offered a piece of property on the northwest corner of Fair Elms and 55^th street, measuring 200 ft. by 150 ft. roads, water and sewer are already in, and all taxes and assessments are paid through 1952. This site is eight blocks from the new church property.

At the Board meetings of the Christian School Society this past Thursday night, it was resolved: That a letter of appreciation be drafted and signed by all those who are grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Bruckert for their kind and generous gift. You can find this letter, awaiting your signature, in the church basement. Please, everyone, go downstairs immediately after this service and sign. Certainly this it the least we can do by way of saying, “Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Bruckert.”

Almighty God seems to be urging us to work, and to work hard here in Western Springs. We pray that we may arise to the challenge of the future, and, as He presents opportunity, we may answer with faith and action. May God bless us in our Kingdom work.

As planning for construction continued, a report from the Western Suburbs Christian School Board was sent to the congregation in the spring of 1955.

Ever since the time we acquired the property on 55^th and Fair Elms, it has been our intention to identify it with a sign which is easy to read by anyone driving on 55^th Street. A great number of people have contacted from time to time, asking about the location of our future school, while contemplating a future home site of their own. When planning any move they may make to the suburbs, our people consider Christian education for their children of prime importance. Naturally, any plans we may have for a school figure largely in their own plans. We believe that the sign will help spot our future school location for anyone not familiar with our area.

Whereas, five years ago one very seldom thought of a school in this area, today hardly a week goes by without one of the mothers asking concerning kindergarten, or, “Do you think we can include first grade if we start next fall?”

Others from Chicago and other cities make inquiry regularly regarding the location of our school property and some buy home sites in the immediate area in order to be close to the school for the sake of their children. Several families have already located there and at least two homes for our people are under construction now.

More and more families with preschool age children are moving into our area. These families are aware of the Christian school movement started by a handful of pioneers in Western Springs ten years ago. There also concerned about the Christian education for their children. Most, if not all of them, are already members of our society. The trip in to Cicero every day becomes more of a problem each year. Now that Timothy has a full 4-year high school in operation, the large difference in age groups becomes more of a problem.

Your board has taken these matters into serious consideration. We have been striving toward the goal of a Christian school for the lower grades in this area for some time. We are encouraged by the interest of our families and feel obligated to make definite plans in the near future. Last year a Kindergarten was discussed. This year in all likelihood it will be a reality. In this connection, your board expects to have detailed information available soon to all families with children of kindergarten age to begin operation in September of 1955.

We believe that with proper planning we should be able to move forward toward our goal without any delay. Your board has also been discussing these plans with the Timothy board. This board also is aware of our objectives and the progress that has been made toward meeting them. A complete, understanding of our mutual needs and goals will, no doubt, lead to a common solution.

~This article was in the 50^th Anniversary Booklet of the Christian Reformed Church—printed in 1987. The page following this article has a picture of the first kindergarten class of WS Christian School, 1956-57 and included Lucette DeKruyter and Thomas Workman, among others. Another picture was of the first and second grades  and included Margaret and Virginia Youngsma, Paul Stoub, Charles Stoub, Joseph DeRuiter, Kathleen Workman and Richard Bos, among others. These classes were held in the basement of the Grand Avenue Church.

My question is: How did they get from the plan to build the school at 55^th Street and Fair Elms to 56^th and Wolf Road where the school was actually built?

The Clay in the Potter's Hands

His hands were shaping a pot out of clay. But he saw that something was wrong with it. So he formed it into another pot. He shaped it in the way that seemed best to him.

~Jeremiah 18:4 New International Reader's Version

That's the way I feel about my life. I am so different than I was 45 years ago. My life has been changed, shaped, nurtured into something quite different than before. It is my hope that God is able to use me more now than ever before.

Grandma b

5 weeks to live

There is a sign out in front of a church on Wolf Road not far from our own church that asks: if you were told you had only a month to live, what would you do? I noticed this sign a while ago and I wondered what I would do. Grandpa B. and I are semi-retired so our time is somewhat flexible. As I thought about it my perspective on life changed a bit because all of a sudden the day-to-day things are not important to you. The question poses an interesting perspective. You, no doubt, have heard the question: if this was your last day on earth… I have thought on that question too, but the answer is radically different because if you only had one day, you would drop everything and do maybe one thing. That question gives you no wiggle room, no time to really accomplish anything. Today, you are told you will die and boom tomorrow you meet your Maker. This other question is more thought provoking because you would have some time to accomplish something before you die. As I thought about this, I thought: I would go and find all my grandchildren and tell them that I love them and Jesus loves them and that I was praying that they would accept Jesus’ calling to be a Christian and that I would like to meet them in heaven someday. That would be the most important thing I could do. My son in Colorado said to me, “Mom that would be nothing different than what you do now. Wouldn’t there be something different that you would do, such as go see some tourist attraction or something?” As I think about it I have to say no. Nothing in this life would be more important than my relationship with my loved ones, my children and my grandchildren.

Then along comes this news that Grandpa’s cousin has cancer. A real life situation. He is told he has cancer. He is told his cancer has spread. The medical people try to fix the situation but the cancer won out. He dies in a little more than a month later. Read his blog: www.caringbridge.com DavidBulthuis – no space between the names.

Wally Phillips just died