“Before there was a Sanctuary, church meetings were held in homes, then at Marco Forster Junior High School, and finally, on the La Novia property, which was purchased by the church for a place of worship and a school. Parishioners, with or without children, and prospective school parents worked side-by-side to develop the property and make it ready for the October 1979 opening: There was no separation between the church and the school. Father Sillers swung the hammer along with the rest of the crew. In response to a comment on his ability to swing a hammer, Father Sillers responded that ‘I’ve been following the Carpenter all of my life.’”
—Tartan Treasury: An Anecdotal History of the First14 Years of St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, by Lisa Merryman
Goals of the FOUNTAIN COURTYARD AND MEETING ROOMS
- To continue the fellowship and shared objectives of community, service, respect and tolerance of
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School and St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.
- To provide renovated outdoor areas and new indoor meeting space for programs and events including religious education classes and youth programs.
- To support the missions of both the school and church while allowing for maximum efficiency of space that will meet the students’ and community’s current and future needs.
TOTAL COST: $1.2 million
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School and Church was founded under the vision and leadership of The Reverend Canon Ernest D. Sillers, the first Rector of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church. In October 1979, the school was established, and work began to transform an open field into a field of dreams. Church parishioners and the parents of future students together shared the hard work that went into developing the site that is now St. Margaret’s Episcopal School and St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.
The church and school have served different, but similar purposes since they were founded, as can be seen in St. Margaret’s statement of faith:
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School teaches and demonstrates the Christian faith in the Anglican tradition. We embrace Christianity as our foundation. We believe that God calls us to love all His children. In that spirit, St. Margaret’s offers a loving and tolerant environment that respects individual differences and seeks to deepen students’ understanding of God’s role in their lives.
The school and church work together in Chapel, during Opening and Closing ceremonies, providing counsel and support to faculty, staff, students and the community, and during rites of passage for St. Margaret’s students. The Fifth Grade Promotion, Eighth Grade Graduation, Upper School Candlelighting and Baccalaureate are held in the Church with receptions and photographs taken in the Fountain Courtyard.
Renovated outdoor and indoor spaces are needed for our students and our shared community. This Building on the Promise initiative will provide for new religious education classrooms, additional youth and adult meeting rooms, relocation of the fountain to provide additional gathering space, and a continued connection between the school and church.
Fountain Courtyard and Meeting Rooms
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School and St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.
TOTAL COST: $1.2 million
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School and Church was founded under the vision and leadership of The Reverend Canon Ernest D. Sillers, the first Rector of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church. In October 1979, the school was established, and work began to transform an open field into a field of dreams. Church parishioners and the parents of future students together shared the hard work that went into developing the site that is now St. Margaret’s Episcopal School and St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.
The church and school have served different, but similar purposes since they were founded, as can be seen in St. Margaret’s statement of faith:
The school and church work together in Chapel, during Opening and Closing ceremonies, providing counsel and support to faculty, staff, students and the community, and during rites of passage for St. Margaret’s students. The Fifth Grade Promotion, Eighth Grade Graduation, Upper School Candlelighting and Baccalaureate are held in the Church with receptions and photographs taken in the Fountain Courtyard.
Renovated outdoor and indoor spaces are needed for our students and our shared community. This Building on the Promise initiative will provide for new religious education classrooms, additional youth and adult meeting rooms, relocation of the fountain to provide additional gathering space, and a continued connection between the school and church.