Working with Miles and Grace Strodel were dedicated teachers intent on serving God at Christian High School. Belle Strickland taught at the school from Huntington Avenue to Bartlett Avenue. She is best remembered for teaching U.S. History. Her students remember her fondly as a diehard Red Sox fan, an enthusiastic rooter at Christian High games, and a superb teacher. Dick Schuhmacher ’60 remembered, “She took no garbage from anyone, so you didn’t fool around in her class. I had a great deal of respect for her.” Joe Fitzgerald ’62 columnist at The Boston Herald, was an abiding fan.
“If I had the gift of cartooning, which I don’t, I’d picture Mrs. Strickland with the morning newspaper in one hand and the Bible in the other… You’re supposed to make a difference!… To know what you believe, and why, and to state it unapologetically – that was Belle Strickland.”
Miss Grace Pierson’s teaching methods seem quaint in the 21st century: she used an opaque projector and flannel graphs to illustrate the Bible stories. She took her 8th-grade Bible students to an afternoon session of the missions conference at Park Street Church each fall. Their means of transportation: the T (MBTA).
Brenda McPherson remembered, “The first few months at LCA, I had to pick up on my study skills, read for more comprehension, calm down in math class. Grace Pierson was my geography teacher, and I was afraid of her. In my mind she was an old lady who couldn’t relate to us, and she was strict. Who likes strict when you’re a middle schooler? I remember reading geography assignments, and I wasn’t reading for comprehension – I was just racing through the material to check it off my “to do” list. Of course I didn’t know anything in class, and I wasn’t doing well. She taught me to slow down; she taught me to look for main ideas. It amazed me to see her getting excited when she could see that I was actually catching on. As my grades improved, she celebrated. I had never had a teacher do that before. She let me know that I was important. She became one of my favorite teachers in very little time.”
Joe Fitzgerald adds this touching story:
On graduation night (at Park Street Church in those days), she spoke to me on the sidewalk outside the building. I had no plans for my life afterwards. I had a desire, but I’d made no plans. I didn’t know where I’d go to college. It didn’t really bother me until that night. I was walking up the little hill to my car, and I heard, “Joe!” I jumped. It was Grace Pierson. She was in the shadows, leaning against the brick wall of the church. She said, “I know you’re in a hurry, but do you have a moment?”
I said, “Yeah. Are you okay?”
“Oh, yes. You know, I loved having you as a student. I hope you know how much I care about you. What are your plans? I want to tell you something: I believe the Lord has something special in mind for you.” She walked me through Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” That’s my only credential for what’s happened in my life.”
Then she said, “I may never see you again this side of heaven, but I’m going to make you a promise that I will pray for you every day.”
About 30 years later I ran into Grace at LCA. I hadn’t seen her in all that time. She looked at me and said, “Do you remember the night your class graduated from CHS?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Do you remember the conversation we had?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Well, I just want you to know I have kept my promise: I have prayed for you every single day. And look what the Lord has done for you!”
I ask you, how do you say thank you for devotion like that? How do you say thank you?
Written and edited by the story.lca.edu Timeline Team. To read more about the rich history of LCA and its faithful stewards who made LCA the place of excellence it is today, visit story.lca.edu.