HISTORY AND HIGHLIGHTS OF SCHOOL In the year 1944, there were no
Kindergartens in the Harlem School System. Upon the suggestion of Ms. Chell,
wife of the Pastor, the newly formed Miriam Circle, whose President was then
Ruth Herbert decided to sponsor such a project. The purpose was to bring
Christian training to four and five year olds and to prepare them for
Kindergarten.
Our school first opened in 1945 as a kindergarten. In 1959 the school was
licensed by the Illinois State Department of Children and Family Services.
After the Harlem School District offered kindergarten, we expanded to
include a four-year-old pre-school in 1970. Four years later, a
three-year-old program was opened in an effort to serve the community better
and fully utilize the church facilities.
Gladys Anderson, Director and Curriculum Planner, was assisted by Ester
Brown and Marian Soderberg. Twenty-three children were enrolled for six
weeks in the Spring. Most of these were members of Grace Lutheran Church.
Classes were held in the area which is now the kitchen and Bethlehem Room.
The Miriam Circle handled all the business affairs with a board of four
members chosen each Spring and Fall. All the members of the Circle were
involved by furnishing "snacks" for the children and concentrated orange
juice was furnished by the Government.
Back Row L to R: Alice Richardson, Ruth
Herbert, Nellie Oswald, Kay Newton, Esther Brown, Verna Foster,
Beverly Wick, Ruth Peterson
Middle Row: Edith Cadwell, Catherine Mincemoyer,?, ?, Irene
Williams, Signe Engstron, ? , ?, Evelyn Gustafson
Front Row: Signe Chell, Hazel Harrtman, Bea Lundsten, Fern Potter,
Janet Warden, Merle Hanna, Doris Bly, Janet Conklin
MIRIAM CIRCLE (Written in the 40's?)
A group of ladies not active in any women's activity
met at the parsonage in December, 1944, to consider organizing a new circle
for the younger ladies to meet in the evenings. At the meeting held in
January the following officers were elected: President, Mrs. Frank Herbert;
vice-president, Mrs. H. Brown; secretary, Mrs. D. Wick; treasurer, Mrs. C.
Mincemoyer. Known as the Miriam Circle, and after some time of faithful
sowing in pioneering the work, this Circle too enjoyed healthy growth, and
now numbers some thirty active members. Mrs. H. Brown became the Circle's
second president followed by Mrs. Merton Lundsten, and Mrs. Donald Wick.
Mrs. Kenneth Warden is the present president; Mrs. R. Foster,
vice-president; Mrs. Roy Gustafson, secretary; Mrs. M. Hanna, treasurer. The
main project the Miriams have sponsored has been a Christian Kindergarten in
the church for the community. They have also been concerned for the
Sunday-school children and have given seasonal parties for them.
