John the Baptist said, "I am the voice of One crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord." John the Baptist prepared the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. Rev. Harlan Sannes believed the Lower Light Church should prepare the way for the second coming of Christ by educating our children in Biblical truths. As early as October of 1969, Bro. Sannes was heard lifting up his voice at a fall rally of the Lower Light Churches declaring to the people the great need of Christian education. Unfortunately, his appeal met with a negative response. This modern day prophet didn't give in to his opposing brethren, but continued to sound the call. He warned his associates that they were failing the present generation by allowing them to be educated in philosophies of materialism, and atheism.By November of 1971, enough interest in Christian education was manifested that a general meeting was called by Bro. Sannes to elect a steering committee. At this meeting, 7 members were elected to the steering committee. They were as follows:Harlan Sannes - W.O. Kneal - Raymond Shipman - Paul Watters - Gary Allison - Robert Everly - & David Linville. This committee worked on constitution & by-laws throughout the year of 1972, & a school came closer to reality!
After many months of prayer, discussions, and promotion for a Christian school, on March 23, 1974, a meeting of interested persons in starting a Christian school was held at the Tecumseh Lower Light Church. In that meeting, the constitution & by-laws, which had been drawn up by a steering committee, were adopted. The plan was for an inter-denominational school to serve a number of area churches. The name, "Holiness Christian School Association" was selected, and a board of education elected. Elected to the board were: Harlan Sannes - Elmer Johnson - D.E. Lemmons - W.O. Kneal - David Linville - & Raymond Shipman. The group unanimously voted to affiliate with the Accelerated Christian Education, Inc., of Garland, TX.
On March 30, 1974, the board of directors met to elect officers & establish committees necessary to have the school ready to function by September, 1974. During the summer of 1974, Harlan Sannes flew to Dallas, TX to take a week of training. This "Super Course" covered various aspects such as curriculum, parent conferences, discipline, & philosophy. This was all crammed into one intensive week of study. Bro. Sannes returned from Texas more thrilled than ever before with the possibility of starting a school! The association began taking applications for membership.
All interested persons began looking for a building to rent until the tabernacle facility could be upgraded to comply with state requirements and adequate for school use. After much searching, the Boy Scout/Girl Scout building in Dundee, MI was rented, (daytime privilege only) and 18 students were enrolled! These students traveled to school from 6 surrounding villages; Tecumseh - Blissfield - Ida - Adrian - Palmyra - & Deerfield. Harlan Sannes was the 1st principal, Mrs. Ida Guyor, of Monroe, MI the 1st supervisor, & Mrs. Grace Linville, of Petersburg, MI, the 1st Monitor.
After spending a few months in the Dundee Scout building, in January of 1975, the school was moved into the rear portion of the new camp tabernacle at 400 E. Elm St., in Petersburg, MI. This presented some inconvenience in that a portable partition had to be set up, then removed each summer for camp, then put back up in the fall. But God had provided, and the school remained in that building for the next eleven years. In 1986, the conference built a new camp dining hall which included a large educational wing. Thus, in the fall of 1987 Holiness Christian School opened in the new Learning Center. The school had now made what was destined to be its final move. For the next twenty-three years children and young people would receive an excellent education, a Biblical foundation, and social skills necessary to function in life.
The school placed a strong emphasis on the spiritual life of the students. Each morning, school opened with a song, prayer, and pledges to the American flag, the Christian flag, & the Bible. A monthly Scripture selection was read in unison by the staff & students. Aside from the daily activities, chapel services were held on Wednesday. Pastors from local churches, evangelists, missionaries, and gifted laymen shared gospel truths with the students.
Grace Linville had received her A.B. degree from God's Bible School, Cincinnati, OH, in 1961, but upon inquiry, it was found not to qualify in Michigan for secondary certification. Grace was called before the board and asked if she would consider returning to college to meet the qualifications of the state. She accepted the proposal, and entered Siena Heights College, Adrian, MI, in September, 1975. She continued her education through 1976.
On December 5, 1976, Steve Manley flew to Garland, TX to take the A.C.E. Principal training. The leading of the Lord was so clear concerning this matter that everyone connected with the school felt it was in Divine order.
In December, 1976, Grace Linville received her A.B degree & teacher certification for secondary grades. She took charge of the secondary department in January, 1977, and Ida Guyor, who had been much over worked previously, was now given a much lighter load in functioning as the elementary supervisor. Steven Manley, now trained in principal technique, took over these duties, and Frances Voss continued on as monitor. Marilyn Merkle also worked at the school donating time as music director.
In 1978, Rev. Steven Manley moved out of the area, and God's will for the school began to unfold. Dwight Shoemaker, a young man of considerable talent and Christian zeal began helping in the school. His enthusiasm grew as he began to feel the thrill of shaping young lives for Christian service. In 1978 he was appointed by the board to function as assistant to the principal. He traveled to Garland, TX to take the A.C.E. Principal training later that same year.
The fifth year of operation was a very special year! It was the year of Holiness Christian School's 1st HS graduation! The class motto was displayed across the tabernacle platform wall in class colors. (light blue & dark blue) The motto, "The Future Belongs to Those Who Belong to God", was surrounded by sunburst designs of our national colors. White bows marked the reserved seats. The platform was beautified by Gladiolus as the board of directors & the speaker for the evening took their seats. Then, as the strains of "Pomp & Circumstance" swelled from the organ, we stood to watch three graduates, preceded by an honor guard, marched grandly up the aisle to the platform to receive their diplomas! The Valedictorian was Frances Marie Linville, and the Salutatorian was Kathy Linn Jones. It seemed like a dream, but it was a wonderful reality!
This all points back to a man who had a vision! Rev. Harlan R. Sannes moved forward by Faith, before there was a building, before there was any financing forthcoming, and before anyone else thought it was possible to open up a Christian school. His resolve knew no defeat, and his enthusiasm never dimmed. He lit the fires of enthusiasm in our midst, and moved forward by Faith until others caught the vision. And oh, the prayers! They were fervent prayers, seasoned with tears, and motivated by the great need of a Christian school. Meetings were held in homes to encourage one another. The road ahead was paved with sacrifice. The road signs ALL read, "Self-Denial" "Determination" "Resolution" "Accountability" "Self-Discipline" "Responsibility", but we all chose to go down that road, and God stood with us!
Due to a decline of revenue and student population, the function of the school in 2007-2009 operated as home school support center. At the annual conference of 2012, the school function was officially discontinued due to a lack of funds, staff, and student population. With an awesome beginning, an exciting history, and countless memories of students, staff, and friends, Holiness Christian School has come to a saddened demise. The great Biblical writer wisely stated, “There is a time to be born [begin], and a time to die [end].” Eccl.3:2
*Many thanks to Rev. J. Steven Manley for excerpts from his term paper, "History of Holiness Christian School" used in this writing.
oliness
hristian
chool
by- Jesse Kneal
1935 - 2018
Celebrating 83 Years
