St. Joseph Christian eyes big expansion
Oct. 5—Organizers opened a new chapter Thursday for the largest local private school in unveiling plans to expand classroom and extracurricular spaces by at least 25%.
St. Joseph Christian School's Nehemiah Building Campaign, named for the book of the Holy Bible that chronicles the reconstruction of Jerusalem 2,500 years ago, aims to raise just over $9.3 million. The Stanley M. Herzog Foundation will match up to 25% of the funds raised toward that goal. Co-Superintendent Danny Maggart said work will take 18 months to two years to complete, and will start as soon as enough money is raised. Public fundraising commenced at Thursday night's 2023 Faith Promise Dinner, held at the Wyatt Park Baptist Church.
"We could even have shovels in the ground (Friday) morning; that would be a true miracle," Maggart said.
The school, which recently surpassed 500 students, anticipates the near-term need to support at least 700, if not more. Some families are on a waiting list, said Glory Fagan, director of development. The school has had year after year after year of consistent growth enrollment, and space is at a premium.
"I'm a firm believer in, 'If you build it, they will come,'" she said. "By and large, they're already here."
A highlight aspect of the work to be done is the construction of a second, 1,100-seat gymnasium, which will supplement the 650-seat gym already in place. The facility in place now must support St. Joseph Christian Lions athletics for all grades; the school teaches students from preschool all the way through to high school graduation.
"Having the increased gymnasium capacity is a huge plus," Fagan said. "Right now, we have elementary and junior high and high school leagues and various sports, all kind of vying for gym time. And this will allow with our existing gym so much more capacity for our sports programs."
The Nehemiah Building Campaign is divided into phases, based on chronological order. These are green, orange, blue and yellow, with green and orange already completed. Aside from the gymnasium, blue phase will add six secondary classrooms, boys' and girls' locker rooms, a commons area, and a playground.
Marcus Clem can be reached at marcus.clem@newspressnow.com. Follow him on Twitter: @NPNowClem
