Education - History

Opening in 1929, Dallas pioneer Seventh-day Adventists constructed their first church building, then known as Beulah Seventh-day Adventist Church and School. Its charter members envisioned a plan to educate the community's youth in a wholesome Christian environment. Such services were provided at that location in East Dallas on Haskell and Day streets, until 1949. During this time, the Beulah Seventh-day Adventist School was operated as a one-teacher school. It was a one-room structure annexed to the main sanctuary.

Without documentaries to provide precise dates, there were nine (9) teachers who taught in the one-teacher school during the existence of the Beulah Seventh-day Adventist School. Their names are as follows (in chronological order):

1. Mrs. A.K. Watkins
2. Miss Blackshear
3. Mrs. Susie Roberts-Perry
4. Mrs. Edith Crawford-Young
5. Mrs. Priscilla Ryles-Greene (Ernest Mae Bass, Interim Teacher)
6. Miss Tinnie Hudson
7. Mr. Allen Humphrey
8. Mr. Preston McDaniels
9. Mrs. Elizabeth Chandler Moore

Some of the students enrolled in the school at that time were: Mildred Artense, Bernis Machili Williams (the father of Bernice Gates-Williams), Marvin Bell, Mary Bell, Frank Proctor, Reginald Proctor, Ruth Proctor, Dorothy Proctor, Earnest Mae Bass (the wife of the late Elder Louis Henderson, Sr.), Myrtle McLemore, the McLemore children, and Esther Mae Pitts (now known as Sis. Holley).

As a result of the evangelistic thrust by Pastor J.H. Williams of New Orleans, Louisiana, from 1946 - 1949, followed by Elder W.W. Fordham's highlighted crusade in 1949, the membership of the church increased to its highest peak. A new church structure was completed prior to 1951, providing a sizeable space for a church sanctuary and elementary school. This facility bore the name Oakland Seventh-day Adventist Church and Elementary School.

As the institution's reputation became widely known, a second relocation became necessary in 1956. The purchase of the Jewish synagogue at 1900 South Boulevard, later dedicated as City Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church, became an ideal facility for the expansion of grade levels.

In the fall of 1961, the school name changed to Southwest Region Academy. The institution became renown for its curriculum offerings through Grade 12, providing educational opportunities for the youth of the entire Southwest Region Conference. Reduction in grade levels in 1968 to junior academy status (K-10) did not dim its vision for academic excellence.

Because of the enormous growth of Dallas and demands to expand the efficiency of its transportation systems, the school was mandated to relocate because of the structuring of Interstate Highway 45 would eventually intersect its property. In 1969, the school and church relocated its present site with a school name change to City Temple Elementary School (K-8). Grade levels were raised over a period of six years, and once again, the school was granted junior academy status in 1975.

The school's long history has produced students who have excelled academically and experienced pride and joy in serving God, their church, and their fellow man.