INTRODUCING OUR HOSTS – National Union Christian Schools – DISTRICT 10
It is my privilege, as chairman of the host district, to introduce you to this area. I say that it is my privilege, because God, especially during the last decade, has done great things to and through our school district. I count it a great honour to be serving a cause which has been and still is marked by a Bible-generated faith. Our Christian School movement in this Canadian province of Ontario began in Holland Marsh in the early forties. Stimulated by the Christian Reformed Consistory, and led by the late Rev. Martin M. Schans, the first Ontario Calvinistic Christian School was opened in 1943. Mr. Jacob W. F. Uitvlugt became its first teacher and principal and was Ontario’s only Christian School principal for almost a decade. He and Holland Marsh established excellent rapport with the Ontario Department of Education. Our schools’ good name today is due in the main to this excellent insight and approach.
Soon after World War II (1947) immigrants flooded Ontario. Dutch (Holland) immigrants settled in every sizable village and city of our province and strengthened our small Christian Reformed groups in Hamilton and Sarnia. And so in 1952 and in 1953 Christian Schools were established in both places. However, the first entirely immigrant society to establish a Christian elementary school was in Aylmer in 1954. Bradford (Spring-dale) separated from the Holland Marsh School in 1955. Jarvis and Strathroy began the same year. Drayton and Trenton schools started in 1956.
Following the first post-war spurt, there was a brief lull in the opening of new Christian Schools. At this time the Ontario Alliance began to function and stimulated the cause by holding bi-annual delegate meetings. Board members of schools in operation presented their problems for solution. The delegates from associations without a school were moved by holy jealousy. They in turn stirred their people into action. Ministers and teachers were asked to address associations for the cause. The Christian School mandate was placed before our people. All this bore fruit.
The birth of the Chatham and Bowmanville Christian Schools in 1957 had slightly other causes, but through the stimulus of the Alliance West-Toronto (now Timothy), Weiland port, and Wyoming schools were opened in 1958. In 1959, there was a great harvest. Brampton, Brockville, Clarkson,
Hamilton Christian High, St.Catharines, East-Toronto (now Calvin, Toronto), and Woodstock began their operations. And last but not least, in 1960, Athens began with a one-room school. Thus, at the close of a decade, God has prepared schools and teachers so that nearly 3,000 covenant children and young people are being trained in the wisdom of the Word. I wish we could personally show you all our schools. Many of our teachers, about 90 in number, you will learn to know at our Convention. They are an interesting and exellent group. Their dedication may find little compensation here, but their reward is sure with God.
In the name of the Ontario Alliance, its schools and its teachers, I bid you a hearty welcome to our Convention. It is good to be among faithful people and to represent them. Soli Deo gloria!
(Rev.) Henry A. Venema. (1920-1972)
Note: This article was written for program booklet of the 41st Convention of the National Union
of Christian Schools, held at MacMaster University, Hamilton, ON on August 15,16,17, 1961.
NOTE: for a comprehensive read about NUCS District 10 and the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools (OACS) history see ‘Creating a Third Way’ by author Adrian Guldemond.
JS posted February 7, 2024
On the Road 