God's Little School in the Woods
The Beginnings
The Columbus Church was first organized in 1947. Shortly thereafter, the charter members opened the Columbus Church School.
On January 19, 1948 nine students began schooling with Marjorie Danielson as their teacher. School was held in a little rural schoolhouse just west of the present building. In the spring of 1948, the school board hired Delilah Petersen to teach at the Columbus Church School. She accepted, and during her first year had 11 students, grades one through six. In the fall of 1949, Wisconsin Academy moved from Bethel, Wisconsin to Columbus, Wisconsin. This move brought more students for the elementary school. The school name was changed to the Wisconsin Academy Church School, and enrollment was near 30 students.
Growth and Changes
Construction on a new building began in the spring of 1955. The new building was built on land located east-just over the fence-of the original schoolhouse. Dave Ahlers and Alfred Kuist laid the blocks and the school families helped so that the school could open on-schedule in the fall. When school began the fall of 1955, one room (the present upper-grade classroom) was enclosed. The lower-grade room was attached later. Miss Petersen and the children cleaned reclaimed bricks from renovations of the businesses on Main Street, Columbus during recesses. A new gym and an addition on the upper grade classroom were built in 1971 and were usable that winter. Carpeting of classrooms soon after made the school more attractive.
Petersen: a Namesake
At a school picnic in May 1976, the name for the school was changed to Petersen Elementary in honor of Delilah Petersen. She taught for 29 years, retiring in 1981.
Moving Forward
A third classroom, above the cafeteria, was finished for use in the 1991-1992 school year. The love of God, strong teachers and energetic students have moved through the program over these many years. We have been blessed to be trusted with the education of the children for some of our former students who have remained local to Columbus, Wisconsin.
The Columbus Church was first organized in 1947. Shortly thereafter, the charter members opened the Columbus Church School.
On January 19, 1948 nine students began schooling with Marjorie Danielson as their teacher. School was held in a little rural schoolhouse just west of the present building. In the spring of 1948, the school board hired Delilah Petersen to teach at the Columbus Church School. She accepted, and during her first year had 11 students, grades one through six. In the fall of 1949, Wisconsin Academy moved from Bethel, Wisconsin to Columbus, Wisconsin. This move brought more students for the elementary school. The school name was changed to the Wisconsin Academy Church School, and enrollment was near 30 students.
Growth and Changes
Construction on a new building began in the spring of 1955. The new building was built on land located east-just over the fence-of the original schoolhouse. Dave Ahlers and Alfred Kuist laid the blocks and the school families helped so that the school could open on-schedule in the fall. When school began the fall of 1955, one room (the present upper-grade classroom) was enclosed. The lower-grade room was attached later. Miss Petersen and the children cleaned reclaimed bricks from renovations of the businesses on Main Street, Columbus during recesses. A new gym and an addition on the upper grade classroom were built in 1971 and were usable that winter. Carpeting of classrooms soon after made the school more attractive.
Petersen: a Namesake
At a school picnic in May 1976, the name for the school was changed to Petersen Elementary in honor of Delilah Petersen. She taught for 29 years, retiring in 1981.
Moving Forward
A third classroom, above the cafeteria, was finished for use in the 1991-1992 school year. The love of God, strong teachers and energetic students have moved through the program over these many years. We have been blessed to be trusted with the education of the children for some of our former students who have remained local to Columbus, Wisconsin.