In 1949, a small group of parents gathered together with the shared conviction that God wanted to raise up a school where children and young people would be educated in "the fear of the Lord." Throughout the year, these visionary parents gathered weekly to pray for God's direction and seek His provision in making Christ-centered education the key to knowledge.

On November 4, 1949 with $44.87 in the treasury, the Christian School Association of Delaware County (a.k.a. The Delaware County Christian School Society) was formed and its members stepped out in faith with a shared commitment to open the doors of a Christian (elementary) school in Delaware County by September 1950.

In September 1950, Delaware County Christian School officially opened its doors to 58 students in grades K-5. Holding firm to God's promise found in Jeremiah 32:17, "Ah Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.," forty-three families stepped out in faith and enrolled their children for the 1950-51 school year. Operating on a budget of $6,907 and housed in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, the new Christian school began its first year employing two full-time teachers and two part-time teachers.

Following its early beginnings in that local church basement, Delaware County Christian School has been located in Newtown Square since 1955 when it purchased the former 11-acre George Strawbridge Estate on Malin Road. In 1964 the school embarked on its first building program to provide the school with a gymnasium-auditorium. The adjacent five acres were also added to the school campus. During the 1970’s, the high school and middle school buildings were constructed.

Then, in 1983, Delaware County Christian School purchased the former Alice Grimm School on 2 Bishop Hollow Road in Newtown Square from the Marple-Newtown School District. This addition provided much-needed space for elementary students in grades K-5.

To meet the needs of its growing student population from the greater Delaware Valley five-county area, the school continued to expand its facilities in 1994 with the addition of a new fine arts building, Lowrie Annex, on the Malin Road campus.

As more families seek an education that is centered around Jesus Christ, the school continues to expand and improve its facilities and recently constructed a 550-seat auditorium/classroom building. Construction of this $3.1 million building began during the summer of 1999 as part of the school’s Advancing the Kingdom campaign. This new auditorium provides much-needed classroom space as well as provides a common center for worship, parent meetings, student assemblies, concerts and plays.

Since its beginning in 1950, the parent-owned Delaware County Christian School has been committed to providing students with quality education from a Christian perspective in order to keep with its mission of educating students who will serve God and impact the world through biblical thought and action.

Timeline of DC's History

1950

DC opened its doors in the lower level of the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield.

1951

DC added a sixth grade and moved to the Christian education building at Grace Chapel in Havertown.

1952

Roy Lowrie answered God’s call to DC and joined the faculty as the sixth and seventh grade teacher.

1953

DC added an eighth grade.

1954

Roy Lowrie became the school’s first headmaster and a ninth grade was added.

1955

The DC Society purchased the George Strawbridge Estate (the mansion and 11 acres of land) in Newtown Square for $60,000; added a tenth grade; and hired four legendary faculty members and administrators including Maynard "Bud" Gray, Lucy Johnston Staley, Frank Roberts and Alex Szucs.

1956

An eleventh grade was added.

1957

DC added the twelfth grade and longtime employee Nancy Jacobson came to teach sixth grade.

1958

DCCS graduates its first senior class awarding eight diplomas.

1960

Secondary school accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

1964

DC community purchases adjacent five-acre property and embarks on first building program to provide a gymnasium/auditorium.

1965

With its new (upper) gym complete, DC holds the first DC Invitational Boys Basketball Tournament, the oldest continuous Christian high school basketball tournament in the country.

1968

Elementary School accredited by the Pennsylvania Association of Private Academic Schools.

1972

DC holds classes in its new high school building, complete with library and science labs.

1973

Elementary School accredited by the National Christian School Education Association.

1976

DC officially opens its new elementary building (now the Middle School) and the lower gym.

1979

Elementary School accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

1980

Ken Tanis appointed as DC’s second headmaster as Dr. Roy W. Lowrie, Jr. becomes president of ACSI. DC’s Discovery Center is established.

1983

The DC Society approves the purchase of the former Alice Grim School in Newtown Square. A separate middle school – to house sixth through eighth grades – begins in the former elementary building. Another Step of Faith campaign seeks to raise $400,000.

1988

ACSI awards accreditation to grades K-12. DC’s Discovery Center is accredited by the National Institute of Learning Disabilities.

1989

K – 12 grades receive accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

1991

DC launches $2 Million Challenge for Excellence campaign to provide endowment for enhancing faculty salaries.

1994

DC opens new fine arts building, Lowrie Annex, featuring two art rooms, photography dark room, drama room and classroom, for a cost of $500,000.

1998

DC launches ambitious $8 Million Advancing the Kingdom campaign to provide new facilities, increased endowment, expanded technology, and operating funds.

1999

DC breaks ground for new bus lane, auditorium/classroom building, athletic field. The DC Society approves the purchase of garage property ($300,000) adjacent to the elementary campus on Bishop Hollow Road. Grades K-12 re-accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

2000

New auditorium/classroom building - DeMoss Center for Worship and the Arts - completed for the 2000-01 school year.

2002

Steve Dill (DC class of 1968) installed as DC's headmaster. Ken Tanis named headmaster emeritus.

2004

DC adds Pre-Kindergarten Program.

2005

DC launches Science, Math and Technology Initiative.
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