The Takoma Park (D. C.) School by T. E. Bowen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 12, 1907

The Takoma Park (D. C.) School

By T. E. Bowen

POSSIBLY the readers of the REVIEW would be interested in a brief account of the local school work at Washington. So far, with all there has been to do in establishing the headquarters of the work here, no provision has been made for the children and youth of those who have had to move to this city to establish and maintain the work. In all, there are forty-five or fifty children of Sabbath-keeping parents, who have so far attended the public schools, except such as have been far enough advanced in their studies to attend the College. An effort was made last fall to open a school, but there being no suitable place to conduct it, the time passed for opening, and again the children were compelled to attend the public schools.

During the summer, this important matter received consideration by the church. A board was selected, and instructed to provide a place for the school. At first it was designed to connect the school with the proposed church building, but it was found impracticable to do this here. A very pleasant and desirable location for the school building was secured, about one fourth of a mile from where it is designed to build the church, in a quiet and retired place.

The lot cost six hundred dollars. The owner valued it at twelve hundred dollars, but as she lived in Wisconsin and desired to sell, she offered it herself at the above reasonable price.

It was first designed to build a one-story building, sufficient to provide only for regular church-school work, but the change in plans for the College, by which that becomes the Foreign Mission Seminary, made necessary an alteration in our plans, as the Seminary does not plan to provide for resident students who had been doing preparatory or academic work. Either this local school must provide for these students, or they would be compelled to attend at South Lancaster or elsewhere. This being true, it was thought best to make our building one story higher, and thus provide, or make it possible to provide, for students doing work between the eighth and twelfth grades. To do this, a building thirty-two by forty feet, with a basement under the entire building, is now being erected. At this writing the frame is nearly up. Everything possible is being done by those having the work in charge to economize in the outlay of money, but at the same time to provide a suitable place for the education of the youth and children, where they can be taught in harmony with the principles and truths of the Bible.

There will be two rooms, sixteen by thirty feet, on the first floor. The church may use temporarily the second floor for religious services in place of the rented town hall now being used, which is located too near the railroad to be desirable for such purposes.

Although the new building will not be done in time to occupy on opening school, temporary quarters will be provided, and we design to begin the twenty-third of the present month. Should there be those living in the vicinity of Washington, either in Maryland or in Virginia, who would like to improve the opportunity of the school, and can find good homes here among brethren and sisters, we should be glad to have them join us in making the school a success. Correspond with the writer. A few could be provided for to take work with those who will be in grades above the church-school work proper.

The Takoma Park church is taking hold earnestly and working hard to provide for this school. Some are cheerfully donating labor, and nearly every member is contributing every week of his means to raise the needed funds.

In a recent communication from Sister White regarding the work in Washington, this statement is made regarding school work:

“A special work should also be done in this city [Washington] in the establishing of schools, that the people may be educated along Christian lines. In our schools established in this city, the Word of God is to be exalted as the study book, and the law of God is to be honored and obeyed. The discipline of our schools is to be of the highest type.”

We ask for an interest in the prayers of all our brethren and sisters in this part of God's work here. One of the most important features of our God-given work for to-day is to gather in the children from the corrupting influences of the world, and unitedly, parents and teachers, train them for Christ.

T. E. BOWEN, Chairman School Board.