History of Monroe Presbyterian Preschool

In the winter of 1964, the Christian Education Committee of the First Presbyterian Church of Monroe set a new goal of researching and developing a nursery school to be held at the church. Coordinated by the wife of Pastor Deane F. Lavender, the group wrote to multiple churches in the Hudson River Presbytery, the NY State Department of Education, and several national education associations collecting information. A Nursery School Committee was established, with 10 members. A set of by-laws was developed, along with a school brochure, and registration form. In January of 1965, The Presbyterian Church Nursery School of Monroe, NY officially opened, with the first two classes of 3 and 4 year old students and two teachers, Mrs. Faber and Mrs. Zingerman. The purpose of the school was to  “provide a weekday program for pre-school children which will aid them in their spiritual, social and physical development.”  The classes were held in what is now the church nursery and library.

In 2000, a large addition was added to FPC Monroe under the leadership of Rev. Robert Dent. Four new modern classrooms, with adjoining bathrooms and space for administration and storage were built for the preschool, doubling the student enrollment and staffing.