Faith Christian Academy celebrates 50 years
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on December 31, 2016 2:28 PM
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News-Argus/PHYLLIS MOORE
Micah Conlon, second from left, administrator and former student and teacher at Faith Christian Academy, looks through yearbooks from the school's nearly 50 years in operation, with, from left, Sam Davis, 1975 graduate, Dottie Gurley, a teacher at the school since 1969, Mike Pendergraft, 1974 graduate and Joyce Corbett, a business teacher from 1968-1993.
Full SizeA 1966 vote by the members of the Faith Free Will Baptist Church establish a Christian school and thus was born Faith Christian Academy.
The doors opened the following January.
Deacons comprised the school board and then-Pastor Frank Davenport served aspresident of the church-school combination located on 27 acres at the base of U.S. 117 and U.S. 70. The academy offers not only an academic program but an educational ministry as well.
During its first year, FCA offered four-year-old kindergarten through fourth grade, with about 100 students enrolled. Over the years, other grades were added until it had a high school which produced its first graduating class in 1972.
Lorenza Stox was hired as the first principal in Aug. 1967, serving until 1976. His wife, Dolly, also taught at the school. Among the earliest teachers hired then were Inez Taylor, Joyce Corbett and Dottie Gurley.
Other principals over the years included Johnny Carter in 1977, Russ Moots from 1978-1983, Peggy Scroll, elementary principal from 1978-1981, Rev. Joe Haas Jr. until 1992, and Rev. Walter Sloan Jr., from 1992-2014.
Micah Conlon, a graduate of the school who had served a previous stint as a teacher, returned as administrator in 2014.
The day care ministry was introduced in 1969. The same year a building for that as well as an east wing for the high school were added. Other sections were completed the following year, with a gym and covered walkways added in 1972. In 1976, a new auditorium and elementary classrooms were built.
FCA has been under the leadership of three pastors at the church. Rev. Davenport was the founding pastor of the church and the school, followed by Rev. Dann Patrick in 1981 and Rev. Christian Powell in 2014.
Faith Christian Academy, the oldest Christian school in Wayne County, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The school opened in Jan. 1967 on the same campus as the church it is affiliated with, Faith Free Will Baptist. The academy boasts a rich history, and has influenced many lives, said Walter Sloan Jr., administrator from 1992-2014.
"We've got graduates that are missionaries, pastors, teachers," he said. "One of the advantages that we have, as you hope for a Christian school, although it's not always true, is always be committed to training the whole child and it starts with the spiritual."
Goldsboro Christian School was actually the precursor to the faith-based institution in the community, with Wayne Christian School coming along later, Sloan said. Goldsboro Christian was abruptly dissolved, he said.
"There was just a conflict in philosphy," he said. "It was like the line was drawn -- we've got to start our own (school). It was so urgent we started in January (1967), with a little over 100 students in the first year.
"But it didn't take long, it grew to 200 quickly. I think the largest enrollment has been over 500 students."
The K-5 school subsequently added a grade each year, growing to a high school. Currently, the school enrollment is at 270 students.
"This school ministry has been responsible for two other schools being started and I don't know how many churches," Sloan said, referencing Mount Calvary Christian Academy in Hookerton and West Duplin Christian Academy in Warsaw.
While the academic program is a strong one, faith shares equal billing.
"It's kind of like a railroad track -- spiritual is the huge emphasis but academics is, too," he said. "You can't have one without the other.
"If one's going to lead more than the other, it's the spiritual but you incorporate them, too."
There is a need for Christian education, said Micah Conlon, in his third year as administrator. He is also a former teacher and graduated from the school in 1997.
"I think the Lord's just blessed us with some wonderful people," he said. "We have had wonderful faculty over the years. The love that they have for their kids, and it's not just in their classrooms. They really are interested in the students that they have.
"They're interested in making them successful, not just in the world's eyes but from a spiritual aspect."
The school's history goes beyond the brick and mortar.
"I have been looking through the yearbooks," Conlon said. "It's just interesting to see how some things have changed, obviously with the addition of the buildings, but some things haven't changed -- the student emphasis, the love that the teachers had. Everybody has always had a since desire to really help the students academically, sure, but more importantly, spiritually. I think that statement could be expressed by a lot of other students."
What has kept it special and unique are the family atmosphere and relationships that have been forged.
"I don't think it ever changed from the first day I got here until the day I left," said Mike Pendergraft, who enrolled his sophomore year and graduated in the school's third graduating class, in 1974.
The longevity of staff, as well as second- and third-generation family members being educated there, are other trends.
Sam Davis grew up on the grounds behind the church-school. He came in 1967, when he was 12, graduating in 1975.
"I know when I graduated from FCA the last thing on my mind was where am I going to send my kids?" he said of he and wife, Roxie, also a graduate who now works in the school office. "But 13 years later when it's time to start, we sent them here.
"The same kind of values that I grew up with were still being taught."
Dottie Gurley was among the first teachers hired at the school, in 1969. She still works there today.
"After I gave my heart to the Lord I wanted to go to a Christian school," she said. "The Lord has just let me be here all these years."
Another favorite was Joyce Corbett, who began teaching kindergarten in 1968 when that was the only grade the school had. She went on to teach business education and typing at the high school level, retiring in 1993.
"I just loved her since the first day I got her," Pendergraft said of Ms. Corbett. "She's like a mama."
He has fond memories of her reading her Bible and a recent gift that was especially meaningful.
"About two years ago she called me and said, 'I've got something for you,'" he said. "She gave me her Bible.
"It's the best story because everything in that Bible she lived."
Ms. Corbett was blessed to be yearbook sponsor, she said, and one year the students dedicated the publication to her.
The former teachers and students gathered recently to reminisce about their shared history, sift through some of the 49 yearbooks published over the years and discuss the upcoming celebration of the golden anniversary.
Homecoming has traditionally consisted of a basketball game each year, with alumni invited back.
There was a 25th anniversary celebration and an event for the 40th, Sloan said.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary, several activities are planned for this coming weekend.
A homecoming game will be held on Friday, Jan. 6, with three of the school's four basketball teams -- boys JV, varsity girls and varsity boys -- playing.
The alumni celebration will begin Saturday at 10 a.m. with a basketball and volleyball tournament.
Later that evening, at 6 p.m., the school will host an information meal. Former principals, teachers and students are expected. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased from the school office. Childcare will be provided.
Other events planned during the school year are 1967 Day, Green-Gold-White Day and Conqueror Day.
"Many other memorable things have been done this year to commemorate this momentous occasion -- unveiling the new academic and athletic logo, refinishing the gym floor, students and faculty writing memorable notes to place in the gym floor before it is sealed and creating the FCA cookbook," Conlon said.