A letter from Sanford and Emiko Taborn in Japan
WINter 2013
Dear Friends,
Ella Houston Hall
Kinjo Gakuin has begun a comprehensive building program to improve the building and facilities on all of its campuses. Some of the buildings predate World War II and can now no longer meet the present-day needs of its students and current buildings codes. As those of you familiar with Kinjo Gakuin may know, Kinjo has a junior high school campus, a high school campus, a university campus, and a kindergarten campus. For those of you who do not know, let me interject some background information here.
The church.
Kinjo Gakuin was founded in 1889 by Presbyterian missionary Mrs. Annie Randolph as a school for the education of girls. The school started with only three students. From the beginning Kinjo Gakuin was dedicated to God and Christian traditions. From the humble beginnings of three students in a two-room cottage, Kinjo Gakuin now has a total population of about 8,000 students spread out on all of its campuses. This growth was due in part to the tireless and dedicated service of many Presbyterians missionaries sent by the Presbyterian Church.
One such missionary was Ella Houston. She came to Kinjo Gakuin in 1892 at the age of 28. She became principal of Kinjo in 1893 and served in that position for 19 years (1893–1912), the longest term for a missionary principal.
Ella Houston is an important figure in the early days of Kinjo’s history. As principal she worked very hard organizing the structure and regulations of the school. She established the alumni association. She was always telling students, “You must have dignity.” “DIGNITY” is now the centerpiece of the junior and senior high school education. Kinjo Gakuin’s daily morning worship services were instituted by Ms. Houston. These daily morning worship services are presently still held on all of the campuses.
In 1969, as part of the 80th anniversary celebration, a campaign was launched to raise $3,000,000 for new buildings on the university campus. One of the proposed new buildings was the Christian Center. The Board of Women’s Work of the Presbyterian Church gave $100,000 of its 1967 Birthday Offering toward the building of this Christian Center. This gift was matched with an additional $100,000 by the First Presbyterian Church of Houston, Texas. At the 82nd anniversary celebrations of Kinjo Gakuin on October 15, 1971, a dedication ceremony for the new Christian Center was held, and it was officially named the Ella Houston Hall.
The Ella Houston Hall represents an important link between Kinjo Gakuin and the Presbyterian Church. A plaque that was hung above the entrance to Ella Houston Hall reads:
The plaque
ELLA HOUSTON HALL
GIVEN IN CHRISTIAN LOVE BY
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HOUSTON, TEXAS
AND
THE 1967 BIRTHDAY GIFT OF THE WOMEN OF THE CHURCH
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH U.S.
At the university campus the building program has begun. A new chapel and Christian Center and two classroom buildings are presently under construction. The Ella Houston Hall had to be torn down to make way for the new construction. Many in the Kinjo Gakuin University community did not want the building to be torn down. Many of the faculty had their wedding ceremonies at Ella Houston Hall. Many got a chance to know more about God at Ella Houston Hall. Many felt that a part of Kinjo Gakuin’s history and identity would be lost through the disappearance of Ella Houston Hall.
However, the building of a new chapel was the first building to be constructed. It will be completed in February 2014. It will be the first building to be completed in the new comprehensive building program. It will have a very prominent new location on campus and be readily visible to all passersby. Having the chapel building built first was very intentional. It is a way for Kinjo Gakuin to rededicate itself to its historical roots and to the Christian traditions upon which it was founded. It is a way to say Kinjo Gakuin is thankful for God’s grace. It is a way for Kinjo Gakuin to express thanks to all the people, both past and present, who have contributed to the life of Kinjo and its Christian traditions. It is, last, a way for Kinjo Gakuin to express thanks to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for the missionaries it has sent, for financial support in the early years, and for its continual interest, concern, and prayers.
We are very grateful that your prayers and gifts have helped to make it possible for us to serve in Japan and be a part of this faithful community that you have supported throughout the years. We rejoice that God has called us for a purpose and has given us the opportunity to educate and guide Japanese youth. Please continue to join together as members of the body of Christ to support the work of witness of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) through your prayers and gifts.
Sanford
The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 234
Read more about Sanford and Emiko Taborn's ministry
Write to Sanford Taborn
Write to Emiko Taborn
Individuals: Give online to E200414 forSanford and Emiko Taborn's sending and support
Congregations: Give to D504922for Sanford and Emiko Taborn's sending and support
