Powell Christian School relocates to old Southside School building

Posted 10/21/14

The Powell Christian School started its new school year in the east wing of Trinity Bible Church, formerly Southside Elementary School.

“It’s been such a blessing that Trinity had it available and that they were willing to lease it to us,” …

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Powell Christian School relocates to old Southside School building

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Trinity Bible Church leasing space to school

The sounds of kids reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, learning the alphabet and singing songs have returned to the halls of the old Southside Elementary School building.

The Powell Christian School started its new school year in the east wing of Trinity Bible Church, formerly Southside Elementary School.

“It’s been such a blessing that Trinity had it available and that they were willing to lease it to us,” said Elizabeth Parker, a teacher at Powell Christian School.

Formerly located in the Powell Church of Christ building, the Powell Christian School started in 2007 as a preschool, then expanded in 2011 to add kindergarten. Today, the school includes students through the third grade. Curriculum is prepared through fifth grade, Elizabeth Parker said.

“We’ve even had talk of adding middle school if it gets to that point,” she said.

The school is a nondenominational Christian school, with members of local congregations making up its board. Children from various churches attend the school.

“Our goal is for this to be a Christian school, not a Church of Christ school or any denomination,” said Gerry Parker, a teacher at the school and pastor of the Church of Christ in Powell. “We’ve got a variety of churches supporting us. That’s what we want to be is non-denominational.”

Over the years, its classrooms at the Church of Christ became crowded as more students enrolled.

“We knew we were outgrowing the classroom space and that we’d need something else, and the Lord provided,” Elizabeth Parker said.

As Powell Christian School leaders began looking for more classroom space, Trinity Bible Church was considering how to use the excess space in its new building.

Trinity purchased the old Southside school from Park County School District No. 1 in summer 2013. Following extensive renovations, the Trinity congregation started holding its weekly Sunday services in the building in February. The church uses the building’s west side for its weekly services, Sunday school and ministry activities throughout the week.

Old classrooms became a new, modern sanctuary, and a former teacher’s lounge is now a counseling center.

Still, Trinity leaders knew they had space to spare — the entire east wing of the building.

“We were looking for other ministry endeavors that would be compatible with Trinity Bible Church — that would be a Christian ministry that would be like-minded with us in doctrine,” said Tim Feathers, a church elder.

They discussed various possibilities of how the space could be used.

“There were non-ministry uses that we could have rented the space out for,” Feathers said. “We wanted to see the entire building used for Christian ministry that is somehow furthering the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

In the spring, conversations started with the Powell Christian School and they started renting the space this summer.

“We’re certainly grateful for where we were the last few years, and this came at just the right time,” Gerry Parker said.

With room to grow, the school has already welcomed more students in the new location.

“We’ve doubled since we were at the Church of Christ building,” Elizabeth Parker said.

The school has 11 elementary students, compared to six last year, as well as 10 preschoolers.

Powell Christian School has classes Monday through Thursday, with Fridays designed to be a field trip day for families.

In addition to reading, writing, math and other core subjects, kids also learn lessons from the Bible.

“We teach that they can walk with Jesus every day. That’s our goal — to help families see that’s who they need to rely on, not themselves or the world,” Elizabeth Parker said.

The teaching staff includes the Parkers, a teacher’s aide and two substitutes. A few parents volunteer at the school.

Elizabeth and Gerry Parker also have experience teaching at the middle and high school levels.

In addition to the Powell Christian School’s use of Trinity’s facility, the building also is used for a non-affiliated Christian home-school cooperative one day a week and for a finance class for teens.

“It brings the facility into full usage in some respect,” Feathers said.

Trinity Bible Church has more renovations planned for the building, but all of the work has been completed with cash on hand instead of entering any debt.

“As we get the money to do the work, we’ll do the work,” Feathers said.

The Powell Christian School is renting four classrooms on the east wing and the former principal’s office/front office. The school uses the East Madison Street entrance, while the church is accessed from South Evarts Street.

Neighbors in the area have commented that they enjoy seeing the old Southside building used as a school again.

“One of the moms said, ‘I’m so excited! There will be children outside the window again,’” Elizabeth Parker said.

She also has heard from former teachers and students who have memories of the old Southside Elementary School. She said it’s fun to hear their stories, and she’s also looking forward to making new memories in the building.

“We are so blessed,” Elizabeth Parker said. “I know I say that over and over again, but every day I am grateful for the classrooms, that we have all that space. The kids love it.”

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