Lynden Christian History | Centennial Music Revue | Picnic

100 Years of Christian Education

Our earliest history can be traced to a group of hearty families who settled in the pioneer town of Lynden in the late 1800s. These courageous Christians, who came from Michigan, Iowa, Dakotas, and the Netherlands, are identified as the nucleus that conceived the idea of a Christian school. They wanted an education founded on the Word of God, which would allow them to exercise their parental baptismal vows.

God's blessing on their vision followed by decades of faithful and dedicated parents gave realization to the Christian school for which we thankfully celebrate an existence of 100 years.

During the spring of 1910 a group was identified to organize the new school. The Society for Christian Instruction was formed, Articles of Incorporation were written, a School Board selected, and the search for a school building began. By early June property had been purchased and construction began in earnest that summer. This building, on Grover Street, was completed and in service by February of 1911. Doors opened the fall of 1911 in rented quarters with an enrollment of 72 students - which exceeded everyone's expectations!

Always pressing on, supporters moved forward in faith throughout the next century with additional campus expansions and improvements:

• 1911 - Paul Zylstra becomes Lynden Christian School's first 8th grade graduate.
• 1930 - Lynden Christian School offers junior high education.
• 1947 - Lynden Christian School expands to include secondary education in the newly built high school on the corner of First and Drayton.
• 1949 - The first phase of construction begins to build a new elementary school complex on Drayton Street.
• 1949 - The first senior class graduates from 12th grade in the new high school building.
• 1965 - The current high school building was dedicated. The old high school building becomes the middle school, creating a compact and unified campus.
• 1977 - Industrial Arts and Agriculture Building.
• 1994 - Construction completed on new middle school.
• 1997 - A significant portion of the elementary school was remodeled over several years spanning from approximately 1997 - 2002 with two to four rooms completed each summer. New and enhanced electrical, heating, lighting, windows, flooring, cabinetry and wall surfaces were part of the refurbishment in almost every classroom.
• 1999 - The school purchased two private residences that were located in the middle of the campus between the high school parking lot and elementary school playground (on Lyncs Drive formerly known as Nooksack Avenue). One of the homes was remodeled to become Lynden Christian's Central Business Office. The building became the offices for the Superintendent, Director of Community Development, Business, Board and Committee meeting.
• 2000 - Lynden Christian's Preschool Program begins.
• 2003 - Addition of several classrooms in the high school; dedication of the LCHS Worship and Fine Arts Center.
- - Discussion of merger with Evergreen Christian School begins in the winter of 2003.
• 2004 - Merger Committee is formed.
• 2006 - Southeast wing of the high school was remodeled during the summer of 2006 (Phase IIA). This included the science labs, adjoining classrooms, and restrooms.
  - - A new elementary school office was created in the summer of 2006.
  - - The portion of Nooksack Avenue north of Drayton Street was renamed "Lyncs Drive" by the City of Lynden.
  - - The Society of each school voted in favor of the merger in the spring of 2006, and the two schools began the 2006-2007 school year as one system.
• 2007 - The roof over much of the high school was replaced during the summer.
• 2008 - The southwest wing of the high school was renovated during the summer of 2008 (Phase IIB). This remodel included classrooms in that area, and moved the offices from the center of the school to the more visible and convenient southern entrance.
• 2009 - The Evergreen campus of Lynden Christian Schools relocates from The Firs facility to King Mountain Church in Bellingham.
• 2010 - Lynden Christian Schools celebrates its 100th anniversary in the summer of 2010.

Lynden Christian Schools have faithfully provided Christ-centered education for a century. The years may pass but the dedication, sacrifice and vision of our parents remain the same. Today, as in years past, our parents fervently desire a faith based education for their children.