WESTMINSTER VILLAGE It takes many hands to build a village
T
he 64 apartments in the Westminster Village remain fully occupied! The on-campus housing was completed and first open to students in the summer of 2018. While this community was envisioned and prayed about for many years, the fundraising efforts were launched just a decade ago. The history of this capital initiative is but one reminder of God’s perfect timing and of the faithfulness of God’s people to accomplish a vision. WSC’s second president, Dr. Robert G. den Dulk, was Chairman of the Board of Trustees when the initiative was first approved in 2006 for 48 apartments to be built on two acres of land at the back of the campus. Dr. and Mrs. den Dulk made a lead gift to provide momentum for the campaign. Mrs. Nellie den Dulk states, “We believed that seminary housing would enhance the growth and education of students, while eliminating the barrier to the cost of living in Southern California.” Many friends believed in the benefits of this project and made the Village a reality. Dr. Derke P. Bergsma (see his memorial on p. 22) chaired the internal campaign with a gift that was matched by
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full participation of the faculty. Building plans had been approved by the City of Escondido, but the campaign was put on hold in 2009 when the U.S. economy was in a recession. At that time, a committee was formed to look for additional land near the campus. In 2014, the 9.5 acres of land adjacent to the 10-acre campus went on the market, and the committee of wise and dedicated trustees purchased the property and deeded it to the seminary. Plans were revamped and approved by the city to include 64 apartments on the 9.5 acres, and the fundraising campaign started in 2015. This project was now more than doubled in scope and went from a $10to $20-million campaign. The Lord continued to provide the funds and to keep the workers safe through the building process. Thank you for being part of this ambitious project! There was never doubt about the original vision of building a community of faith that would be a blessing for students. But we couldn’t have imagined a pandemic that would close college campuses across the country and send students home in March 2020. As you know, that was not the case at WSC where students were able to remain in their apartments while continuing their seminary studies. The two acres of land that were the original site of the housing plan have now been turned into a soccer field with a generous gift from alumni donors – and a playing field for children in the Village!
The Westminster Village enhances the already vibrant community of faith that has been the hallmark of WSC where students thrive on face-to-face education. It provides a community where fellowship and families flourish, and life-long relationships are established for a life-time of ministry.
189
Total Residents
74
Students
64
Children
UPDATE | SPRING2021
