Saying it was time to put their faith into action, supporters of the Coastal Christian School in Waldoboro broke ground on a new gymnasium and performance hall, May 14.
The ceremony took place during the school’s annual Spirit Day celebration, an event designed to raise money for the 31-year-old school and allow the community to participate in a day of “fun and praise” said Robin Hughes, one of the many people who helped organize the event.
“It’s a great chance to let the community enjoy what we have to offer,” said Hughes.
According to CCS gym committee member Tom Rawley, the groundbreaking was two and a half years in the making. As of May, more than $80,000 has been raised, entirely through private contributions, he said. Though additional monies will be necessary to fulfill the entire vision of the project, Rawley said the school had “faith that God will provide the rest.”
“This will give us a full basketball court and a full stage area,” Rawley said. “The size is 110 by 82 (feet) and will give us a multi use facility.”
Dorcelle Brown, who co-founded the school along with her late husband Wayne Brown, said it was a special day for the faith-based school, which has over 100 students enrolled.
“We started praying in 1979,” said Brown. “We started in a little trailer on Jefferson Street and have built this through the faith of God.”
Brown said she was proud that the school had not borrowed money for the project and credited the strong support of students, faculty, and the community for bringing the idea to its initial fruition. Rawley said construction would begin this summer and continue into the fall. In addition to the groundbreaking, attendees were entertained by games of skill and games of chance with prizes ranging from food to small goldfish.
“This has been an important day for us,” said Brown. “It’s a great testament to our community here at CCS.”
