In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. –Proverbs 16:9

In May 2004, a meeting to form Columbia County Christian School, an interdenominational Christian school, was set about through prayer, faith in the Lord, and the calling of Myron and Genet Smiens. The Smiens then contacted other people in the community with a similar desire for Christian schooling. With no available funding, but a lot of faith in Jesus Christ, an ad-hoc committee was formed, non-profit status applied for, a building secured to rent, organizational documents drafted, and structure of a Society/Parent run organization was determined. Our vision was to start an academically strong faith-based interdenominational Christian school in a traditional classroom style; teaching grades K-8 and eventually growing over the years to serve grades K-12.

In June 2005, CCCS’ Society members elected the first Board of Directors. Founding members of CCCS consisted of ad-hoc committee members Krista Mosley and Myron Smiens, in addition to elected Board Members Genet Smiens (President), Boyd Ruby (Vice President), Aletia Brown (Treasurer), John Kimball (Secretary), Judy Griffith (Director of Education 2004-2008), and Judy Reed, who served two months. The Board hired Administrator Rebecca Swatman in July 2008. In 2012 Rebecca Swatman accepted the role of Elementary School Principal and Beth Winegar was hired as Administrator.

The original vision was to start an academically strong faith-based interdenominational Christian school in a traditional classroom setting, teaching grades K-8 and eventually growing to serve grades K-12. Sports, music, art, drama, and technology were important enrichment components in the educational vision for our school. The use of Board and administrator policy governance was adopted for the success of our school management. Our hope was to be supported as a local 5 ministry financially and prayerfully by the many evangelical Christian churches in our surrounding community and to secure a permanent location free of debt. CCCS originally rented the vacant Yankton School building off of Pittsburg road in St. Helens and when the building was sold to a public charter school in May 2007, we negotiated a building site, behind Warren Community Fellowship church in Warren, Oregon, raised $350,000 in funding in donated labor/materials, and witnessed true miracles, as the Lord opened and closed just the right doors for us to complete construction at WCF in less than three months. CCCS began serving full day through 8th grade at WCF as of September 2009. In 2011, CCCS added 9th grade and received our full K-12 accreditation with NWAC.

In January 2011, Warren Community Fellowship revised its use agreement with CCCS, requesting that the school become independent of WCF facilities by June 30, 2026. After years of exploring opportunities, WCF's congregation voted to allow CCCS to build on a 6-acre lot adjacent to the church. Zoning was completed in September 2018.

The pandemic in 2020 brought significant growth in enrollment, highlighting the need for more space to support CCCS's mission. Over the next few years, CCCS and WCF worked together to rezone the property, making it suitable for the school's expansion. In the Spring of 2024, construction began on the new school facility, with a target completion date set for 2026. We are deeply thankful for the vision of our founders and the generous support that has allowed us to grow and serve our community. We invite you to partner with us as we build a new school facility and continue to raise up future leaders to know and serve the Lord.