06/04/2025
Chapel's Educational Outreach:
In 1972, under ministry of Rev. Paul E. Rowland (1972-1981), our Session approved establishing a K5 class at the church known as Chapel-in-the-Gardens Kindergarten. In 1972, kindergartens were not offered in public schools; area churches were establishing K5's. Chapel's first class, September 1972 had 8 students and teacher, Dessella Jones (Chapel member). By 1975, kindergarten had expanded to 2 K5 classes, 19 students, and two teachers, Dessella Jones, Janet Womble (former Chapel member). In 1978, a K4 class was added, taught by Elizabeth Sikes (a long-time Chapel member). Enrollment was K5 (17) and K4 (8), or total of 25. By end of 1980, name changed to Chapel Christian School (CCS) with 3 K5 classes and 1 K4 class or total enrollment of 33, with teachers Janet Womble, Margaret Ward, Marybelle Strickland, Elizabeth Sikes. Our church van started picking up children, others were dropped off by parents and grandparents. Drivers for bus ministry were Reba Jones (Chapel member) and Emma Hooks.
From 1978-1994, Chapel Christian School had become K4 through Grade 2. In 1994, two K4 teachers were added, Dess Jones (returned to CCS), Pat Colson (Chapel member). By 2002 the school had added Grades 3-4, with Joyce Longuet, Principal. By 2002, the school had K4 (Jennifer Johnson), K5 (Jean Motes), Grades 1-2 (Joyce Longuet), Grades 3-4 (Lisa Hall). The school continued until 2005 when public schools began offering kindergarten classes.
In all those years, Chapel-in-the-Gardens had daily opportunities to share the love of Christ to students and families.
Good News Club (GNC):
In 2006, several Chapel members attended an informational conference, sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), in St. Mary's, GA to overview plans for after-school Christian teaching programs at local elementary schools. The public school system in GA approved allowing this, if principals agreed and parents gave written consent. With approval of our Session, 6 members (Dessella Jones, Daisy Davis, Diane Holder, Rev. Russell, Ed and Corbina Ike) attended training and certification courses in January 2007, hoping to start by 2007-2008 school term. This possibility became a reality on November 6, 2007, when Port Wentworth Elementary opened its doors to Chapel's GNC team. The GNC team remained at Port Wentworth until grade changes were made by Chatham County School Board in 2015 and the team was reassigned to Rice Creek Elementary, also in Port Wentworth.
By 2020, Chapel's outreach to other churches about starting GNC's resulted in 15 church-sponsored GNC's in 3 counties, Chatham, Effingham and Bryan.
Chapel had started its 14th year of GNC teaching in January 2020, then all schools were closed down for COVID in March. Due to loss of team members and health issues, Chapel's team was unable to restart after COVID ended and schools reopened.
We are thankful for the opportunity we had and still pray for those GNC teams who continue reaching out in their communities to teach children Christian values and respect for authority.
(Information written and provided by Harriet Hartley)
