One Faith-Many Works / 265

Central Christian High School

For some years there was a growing interest among Ohio Mennonite churches to establish a high school under the auspices of

the church. In 1944 the question was raised in the conference, "Should there be a church-controlled high school within the Ohio district?" A study committee reported to the 1946 conference session on the question and in 1948 gave a more extended report.'

Accreditation problems and prospects were explored in the same year.

Reasons for a church-controlled high school were advanced by its advocates, though it was recognized from the outset that not everyone would favor the venture. The reasons given were sum

marized in these words:

Our modern scientific and materialistic age endeavors to explain everything without God. True moral, ethical, and spiritual values are religious values. God is the ultimate sanction for moral and spiritual values in life. These cannot be taught without recognizing God as the living reality in every area of our lives-including education."'

In 1951 a committee consisting of J. J. Hostetler, Harold E. Bauman, Elmer Hilty, David Steiner, and M. L. Troyer submitted

another report to the Ohio Mennonite Conference. The committee recommended a constitution for a Christian High School Board, also procedure for the election of a board, and outlined steps for developing a program for secondary education.'-'

Years of hard work and planning followed. A plant costing $400,000 was envisioned. A campaign office was established in 1959 in Orrville under the name of Christian Schools, Inc., for solicitation of funds.'-' Clayton L. Swartzentruber was designated as

principal of the school and coordinator of the preliminary plans. Purposes of the new Christian high school were stated as:

1. To provide instruction of high academic quality which is totally Godcentered.

2. To provide an educational program that will foster an understanding of and appreciation for the Word of God.

3. To provide an educational program of high quality in a Christian environment that will prepare youth to make a worthy contribution to the cause of Christ in home, church, and community.

4. To provide educational facilities and staff that shall meet the required standards for accreditment in the state of Ohio.'-'

In the constitution of the school there was provision for an