By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
St. Joseph Christian School is growing, both its physical plant and its enrollment.
The school has more than 500 students; pre-school to high school. It soon will add 28,000 square feet to its footprint in east St. Joseph.
Co-Superintendent, Danny Maggart, says while school officials are excited about the expansion, the school is never going to be about a building.
“It is always going to be about what goes on inside that building,” Maggart tells KFEQmmunity. “You know, I’ve been at the school for 28 years. This school started on the corner of 14th and Olive at the old Everett Elementary School. I just love the fact that from that time that the school has started from where it is now that those foundational truths, those foundational biblical truths that are statements are built upon, have not changed.”
Director of Development, Glory Fagan, has been writing the history of the school, learning a few surprises along the way.
“I guess the surprise has been the personal sacrifice of many, many people over the years; people who’ve invested not only their time, but their resources and just how God has multiplied that,” Fagan says during their joint appearance on KFEQmmunity. “It really is an incredible story and I’ve really been enjoying doing that research.”
St. Joseph Christian has grown over the years. Its student population of 515 could grow to 700 once the expansion is completed, expected by the end of the year.
Fagan says the school first had a goal to raise $9.3 million. The goal was raised to $10 million to include the cost of an elevator to make the second story accessible. The building campaign is about $500,000 short of that goal.
The building expansion, known as Nehemiah 2.0, centers around a 1,000-seat gymnasium. It also will include a new commons area, flex-space classrooms, restrooms, offices, and a second-level mezzanine with a walking track.
Maggart says school officials have been astounded by the support.
“It is truly nothing short of a God thing. I know that that can sound kind of generic at times, but it’s very true. There is no doubt in my mind, being involved in all the things behind the scenes,” Maggart says. “Ultimately, this is God’s school. We’re just thankful He saw fit for us to have this fantastic facility that is truly nothing short of a miracle.”
This article has been updated since first published to clarify why the fund raising goal was increased.
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