Valley Lutheran High School is hosting a special chapel service on Monday, April 23, at 10am, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the day students, faculty, and staff moved into the McCarty Road location.
The community is invited to take part as Pastor Gil McDonald, who served at Valley from 1978 to 1991, will offer the message for the service. McDonald taught theology; assisted with the school newspaper, student council, and drama; and coached volleyball and cross country. After Valley, he served at Lutheran High School Northwest in Rochester Hills until 2016.
In Valley’s early years, students sat on the carpeted gymnasium floor during chapel services. Students will recreate those memories during the service.
Before its current location, 82 students crammed into the basement of Faith Lutheran Church on Bay Road (now Coleman Temple).
“They were looking for an excellent Christian high school education,” said Executive Director Dr. John Brandt. “Seven faculty members led by Principal David Krause met those expectations. The new Lutheran high school was a reality.”