HIstory of Walnut Hill

Walnut Hill Chapel appointed a Day Care Committee consisting of Clayton and Ruth Steiner, John and Esther Hackman, and B.J. and Carolyn Miller, to explore a Day Care Program.

The IN-MI Mission Board agreed to sponsor the Day Care Project. Lloyd Miller of Michigan was Board President.

The Mission Board appointed a Board of Directors who now took over the planning for the Day Care Center. Don Augsburger, pastor of North Goshen Mennonite Church, served as President of the board. Board members included Clayton Steiner, John Hackman, B.J. Miller, Helen Plank, Frank Gardner, Kathryn Aschliman and Earl Roose. Frank Gardner was treasurer, a position he held until his death.

Ground breaking for the addition was held, with a goal of having it ready for Day Care occupancy in September.

The Walnut Hill Day Care planning is progressing well. It should be ready to open in September. If the addition is not completed in time it will open in North Goshen Church.

The Day Care is operating at North Goshen with about 15 children enrolled. Some time that fall they moved into the Walnut Hill Chapel building. Clayton Steiner was the first Director of the program.

Assembly Mennonite Church purchased a former uniform factory for worship with authorization for a full-day kindergarten program operated by Walnut Hill Day Care. Enrollment for two sites increased to 57 young children. In 1986, the full-day kindergarten was replaced by a full day pre-kindergarten program needed to accommodate a long list of four-year-old children waiting for services.

Walnut Hill Chapel, the center’s main site, was destroyed by fire one Saturday in late October of 1989. The following Monday, programming resumed at the Assembly site.

Representatives from the Goshen Community were polled concerning the center’s future. Decisions were made regarding the plan, projected community funds to be raised, and persons to lead capital campaign.

Waterford Mennonite Church authorized the use of their multi-purpose room and play yard while the Assembly site was being renovated and new space built. Enrollment numbers remained normal.

Renovated and new spaces at Assembly Mennonite Church were opened up for 92 children. Community donations provided Walnut Hill’s rent for a twenty-year period. The relationship was one of space shared by two groups which would remain independent. The center’s name was changed to Walnut Hill Early Childhood Center.

Walnut Hill Early Childhood Center gained accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Walnut Hill opened its new facility at 1700 Shasta Dr. in Goshen.