Our History
It began as a dream in the minds and hearts of a few members of San Antonio churches of Christ. The dream to have a school that reflected the ideals of the Church has survived and grown into a dream come true for many San Antonio children. In December of 1976, 12 Christian men and women from 6 local congregations formed the original board of directors of Christian Heritage Schools. The state granted the school a charter to operate in February of 1977 and Christian Heritage Schools opened its doors in 1978.
The elders at MacArthur Park Church of Christ graciously allowed the school to meet at their building with Kindergarten through fifth grade offered the first year. The plan was to add a grade each year. Through a generous donation by the late Frank Bates the schools moved into a lease on the Robbins Elementary campus, a facility that the Alamo Heights School District no longer used. There the school continued to add grades and a preschool program to meet the needs of working mothers. The third and present location of the school is on the beautiful oak shaded campus at the Northside Church of Christ. The last of six new classrooms at that location was completed the day before classes began in 1989. More buildings were gradually added including a gym and a preschool building. CHS settled into 20 years of growth
Providing quality education in a well disciplined Christian atmosphere has always been the goal of Christian Heritage. And from the very beginning of the school’s operation, Bible study and chapel has been an important part of every student’s day.
Even before CHS began to hold classes, concerned people began to organize a parent-teacher organization as a way to involve as many parents and friends with the school. One of the first projects to help raise money and act as a service project was in the taping of the World Vision for Christ campaign at the Convention Center in July of 1978. A Family Fest and a Mexican buffet was organized as a way of meeting new friends and involving even more people. Movie nights, bar-b-ques, and garage sales were other activities that insured that a family-like atmosphere would exist with parents and friends to match the family-like feeling of the students. The Annual CHS Dinner and Auction had its beginning in the school cafeteria with 50-60 in attendance. The first of many plays and programs were held to show off the talents of the students; and, of course, the Parent-Teacher-Friend Association began to collect Campbell Soup labels and aluminum cans which continues today.
The first year of classes was rewarding for students, teachers, and parents alike. Being part of something new was exciting. For students who had attended public schools, there was great delight in the small class sizes and the personal attention afforded to them by Christ-centered teachers. Many students attended classes with friends who went to the same church as they did. Friendships formed that have lasted until this day.
Though many changes have greatly affected Christian Heritage over its 30 plus years, quality education is still the goal. The family atmosphere still remains. Administrators and directors have made changes, different teachers have each left their influence, campuses have changed, a high school added, but the goal of helping every student grow mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually has remained the same. And because the school has existed for over 30 years, CHS has watched its students become successful adults with children of their own, some of whom now attend their parents’ school. Former students are now preachers, teachers, lawyers, doctors, housewives, artists, and other successful occupations.
We exist today because of incredible acts of faith by many through the years. Whether it is through the purchase of our current location or another campus that would meet the needs of our pre-school through high school programs, we, with that same steadfast faith, look forward to what God has in store for Christian Heritage.
We request your prayers and financial support. Please call the school office at 210-496-1644 if you are interested in learning more about how you can help or be part of Christian Heritage Schools.