Remembering the past, looking to the future
Staff writer
Friday afternoon was a bittersweet experience for members of Hillsboro’s former Trinity Mennonite Church as they toured a soon-to-open child-care center in the building that used to be their church building.
When the congregation disbanded two years ago, members wanted the building to be used in a way that would bless the community.
Members decided to donate it to Hillsboro Community Foundation, which was developing Hillsboro Community Child Care Center.
“Each of these three rooms can do children 2½ to 5 years of age,” Hillsboro Community Foundation chairman Tristin Cope said as she showed rooms designed for children to store things, participate in activities, and mingle with friends.
Other rooms will be used for infant care, dining, and other activities.
The former sanctuary still has its original limestone block on the south side. It was divided into three spacious rooms set up for children.
“There are a lot of changes,” Phil Duerksen, husband of the church’s last minister, Norma Duerksen, said. “It’s so cool. It was very nicely done. It’s looking great.”
Cope said the biggest donation was the building.
“We have received $1.2 million from individual donors, and $1.4 million through grants,” she said.
As the tour ended, Norma Duerksen led visitors in a prayer thanking the Lord for providing the place, the money that was donated, and the future of the child-care center.
Enrollment will begin tomorrow.
Licensed for 99 children, the center continues to look for employees.
A director, Micah Wilkins, has been hired to oversee the child care center’s operation.
Wilkins said she was looking forward to working at the center instead of in a Wichita preschool.
Assistant teachers who aren’t already trained will be trained by the center, Cope said.
Volunteers also are being recruited. They will do such things as greet children and step into classrooms to help with projects.
Center officials hope it will open in June. Kansas Department of Health and Environment must do a final inspection before the center can open.