Our History

Beginnings

1950 – 1959

1950

Great Lakes Christian College (GLCC) is incorporated.

1952

Thirteen acres on the north side of King St. in Beamsville, Ontario are purchased for the school.

Fourteen students are enrolled in Grades 9 and10 at GLCC.

The entire program is run out of the former home of Senator Gibson (built c. 1890).

1953

Grades 11-12 are added; enrolment increases to 36.

Two other buildings are now utilized for the residential program and food services.

The first GLCC Chorus makes its debut, led by Evelyn Perry.

The first annual “Great Lakes Bible Lectureship” is presented.

1957

Huron Hall, originally a student centre and classrooms, is acquired and renovated. This will become the primary boys’ residence until 2002.

Expansion

1960 - 1979

1961

The Women’s Association for Vital Educational Support (WAVES), a volunteer auxiliary group, is formed. They will raise over $1,000,000 in the next 50 years.

1962

Enrolment exceeds 100.

1965

College Hall, our main academic building, opens.

1969

The Faculty of Bible and Missions, a post-secondary level Bible school, opens on campus.

1972

The “Quonset Hut Athletic Facility” opens.

1973

The first annual Work-A-Thon is held.

Enrollment surpasses 150.

1977

The Tallman “Gymnatorium” opens.

Consolidation and Diversification

1980 - 1999

1980

Enrolment tops 200 for the only time in our history.

1983

After 30 years on staff (23 as President), Geoff Ellis retires.

College Hall is renamed “Ellis Hall” in honour of Geoff and his wife Doreen.

1993

A global recession is keenly felt at Great Lakes, but God’s provision, peoples’ generosity, and good stewardship allows us to continue to serve.

Enrollment dips below 100 for one year.

1996

Our post-secondary Bible college is re-located to Waterloo, Ontario.

Great Lakes Christian Preschool welcomes its first students.

New Horizons

2000 - 2015

2002

GLCC celebrates 50 years of service!

Ontario eliminates “Grade 13”.

Merritt Hall, home to the new Boys’ Dorm and Alumni Student Centre, opens.

2007

More than 3,000 students have attended GLCC for at least one semester.

2008

Great Lakes Christian “High School” (versus“College”) is reflected on all promotional materials.

2011

Reflecting growth and dedicated leadership in their respective programs, GLBC and GLCHS no longer share a President.

Don Rose, President since 2006, becomes the “Chief Administrator” of GLCHS.

2013

Fifty-four year low enrollment of 88 students.

2014

Enrollment increases to 120, a decade high.

After 45 years of service (20 as Principal), Brian Boden retires from administrative duties.

2015

GLCHS completes its most successful financial year.

2017

GLCHS eliminates its computer lab and begins its 1 to 1 program that provides a supported, individual computer to every student.

2020

The Global COVID-19 Pandemic forces students online for their education nine out of the next fifteen academic months.  As a small school with a new technology platform, GLCHS is able to pivot quickly and effectively to meet the new needs.

2021

After many delays due to the pandemic, the Vision 2020 Capital Campaign is completed.  Ellis Hall is now accessible, compliant with contemporary fire and building codes, more effective in its use of space, and has fresh, new face, inside and out.

2022

The Clean Air Campaign finishes what Vision 2020 started: new HVACs in all classrooms to address concerns of air circulation and purification, and to provide more effective and efficient heating and cooling.

2022

Great Lakes Christian High School celebrates 70 years of operation.

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