Palisades Christian Academy Breaks Ground on Early Learning Center

By Isaac Meythaler,

Upper Columbia Conference Communications Coordinator

On October 30, 2025, a crowd gathered around an excavator on the Palisades Christian Academy soccer field to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new building for Palisades Christian Learning Center (PCLC).

Children participated in the ceremony singing “This Little Light of Mine,” dedicating the new center to shine hope, love, and learning into the surrounding community.

Eric Brown, UCC VP for administration, invited students, parents, and teachers to close their eyes and imagine the building that would one day be where he stood. 

“Even though we can’t see the building yet, and it might be hard to imagine, we know it is coming,” said Brown. “Which is a lot like Jesus. We know about Him, we have the blueprints for His kingdom, but it can be hard to imagine. Today, just as we imagine the moment when Jesus returns, we find ourselves waiting, hopefully and eagerly for what we know is coming.”

PCLC was first envisioned more than 10 years ago with the desire to provide young children with an opportunity to learn and know about Jesus.

“PCLC was always in the plans when we were building the campus here at Palisades Christian Academy, but we didn’t have the funds to complete it at the time,” said Tim Windemuth, PCA development director.

PCLC offers Christ-centered daycare services for children between 2 ½ - 5 years of age in a positive Christian environment where children can learn and grow. Once operational, the new building will be able to facilitate up to 80 children with four classrooms.

The building project is estimated to cost $2.2 million.

“It may cost more or less, it’s hard to know for sure since we’re about a year away from completing the building,” said Windemuth. “But the Lord knows what we need, and He’s in charge.”

An anonymous donor has generously donated $1.8 million towards the project. PCA will continue to raise additional funds for the remaining $400,000. 

“The amazing team at PCLC provides a safe, loving, nurturing, and Christ-centered space for young minds to grow and develop,” said Adam Littell, UCC VP for education. “I am thrilled that there is going to be an expansion to this very important educational ministry in the Spokane area so even more students can get to know Jesus through the dedicated work of the teachers at PCLC.”

PCLC currently uses three classrooms in the main school building, which with the construction of a dedicated space for early learning, will be made available to further expand PCA programs.

To learn more about the PCLC program, go to news.uccsda.org/pclcprogram. To learn how to make a contribution towards the PCLC building, call (509) 325-1985.