DEEP AND DARK roots underlie the story of Victoria’s Pacific Christian School (PCS).

Most people miss this terrible tale, told on the modest plaque near the elementary office: a tale of an ordinary man with extraordinary vision.

Ralph Numan and his fiancee, Mary van Egmond, had gone picnicking with some Dutch immigrant friends at Thetis Lake on a sunny Victoria Day in 1955. They borrowed a canoe and paddled happily around the bend, out of sight.

The group on the beach were beginning to wonder why Ralph and Mary were gone so long, when someone spotted the canoe – floating empty. They hauled it ashore, then walked along the path, hoping to find the pair.

Syrt Wolters and John Stadt hurriedly went searching in a second canoe, and spotted the couple. They were drowned, in about three feet of water, arms tightly clutching each other. The two men pulled the bodies ashore. Others arrived to help as Stadt raced off in the canoe to phone for an ambulance and to guide police to the spot.

The tragedy shook the little community of about 15 families, who had come together to create a church in the Reformed tradition. This community had a well-thought-out rationale for teaching children in a way that required home, church and school to work together.

There had been many discussions about starting a Christian school – but who had any money?

Then came a shock of a different kind: 22 year old Ralph Numan had made a will. In it, he stipulated that $2000 of a life insurance policy must go toward the “future Christian school in Victoria.”

The ultimate sacrifice of this childless man kick-started many lesser sacrifices among his friends. They formed a society, bought land and built a school; it opened five years later, with three classrooms, 43 children and two teachers.

That school now serves almost 1,000 students from all denominations on its two campuses. And after 50 years of God’s faithfulness, it’s time for a big celebration.

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PCS is presenting a year-long series of events under the theme of ‘Bright Hope for Tomorrow’ – a phrase from ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness,’ which has been sung at many school get-togethers over the years. While God is our ultimate bright hope,  the students of today also carry our hopes for tomorrow.

The celebrations will culminate in a weekend Jubilee Homecoming next May. It will feature an open house, a special Grandparents Day, alumni events, an all-out rally, and a book and DVD filled with stories and pictures by PCS people.

The school is hoping the event will draw any people who have been involved with PCS over the  years. To get on the contact list, e-mail garryandadele@hotmail.com  or call  250-595-6026.

– Adele Wickett

October 2009