Message from Executive Director

Dear Parents,                 

I am writing to express my profound gratitude and amazement as we reflect on the remarkable journey of Dawn Treader Christian School over the past 15 years. The impact that God has had and continues to have on the lives of our students, parents, faculty, and the Paterson community through Christian Education has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Dawn Treader Christian School has always been a beacon of good Christian values, embodying faith, family, and education. We are proudly a symbol of hope, strength, and sustainability in the city of Paterson. 

Since our inception in 1977, hundreds, if not thousands, of students and families have walked through our doors and experienced the transformative power of God's saving grace.

As a faith-based organization and ministry, we consider it an honor to carry on the legacy of our founding Board Committee called ECUMP together with Mr. Herbert Van Denend, who was not only the visionary behind Dawn Treader Christian School but also the President of Evangelical Committee for Urban Ministries in Paterson (ECUMP). Founded in 1977 as a project of ECUMP, Dawn Treader maintains a non-denominational and open enrollment policy, welcoming every child regardless of economic status or religious background.

ECUMP and Mr. Hurbert VanDenend’s vision extended beyond Christian Education; it encompassed sustainable living for the Paterson community. In 1976, he purchased the abandoned 19th-century Rosen Union Works Mill, the first silk mill built in Paterson in 1893, for a venture of faith and educational vision. The dream, known as the "Silk City Dream," aimed not only to establish Christian Education but also to provide woodworking skills to the community.

In the 1980s, ECUMP initiated a woodworking shop in the school, teaching the skill to men of all ages. However, in 1983, the decision was made to pause the woodworking project, focusing entirely on Christian Education. Despite this change, the dream of restarting the woodworking project persisted, and Dawn Treader Christian School continued to provide excellent Christian Education.

Mr. Herbert Van Denend sadly passed away in the late '80s without witnessing the realization of his dream for sustainable programs like woodworking in the Paterson community. Nevertheless, through Christian education, we have created a more profound and sustainable impact, shaping the lives of countless students who have gone on to become judges, lawyers, doctors, nurses, teachers, police officers, firefighters, and pastors.

In 2016, the Glenro building, originally owned by Mr. Herbert Van Denend, located in the heart of The Great Falls Historic district, was awarded to Dawn Treader Christian School for the advancement of Christian programs in urban cities. A committee, led by me (Pastor Charles Salinas) and dedicated members Maria Rivera-Jones, Tiffany McCrum, Will Garcia, Peter Bruno, and Albert Caraos, worked tirelessly to bring this vision to fruition.

In 2017, we began collaborating with Servant's Heart Ministry to develop a business plan, and by 2020, we finalized a partnership agreement. This partnership, born out of a shared commitment to urban ministry through the trades, has allowed us to bring back trade programs to Paterson.

We are excited about the transformative potential of this partnership, which will empower and shape the lives of many young individuals. Through this collaboration we are advancing the vision of Mr. Herbert Van Denend, which had been dormant for over 40 years.

As we embark on this new chapter, we remain steadfast in our commitment to Christian education, community impact, and the pursuit of sustainable programs such as entrepreneurship and performing arts. We are grateful for the support of our community and the continued guidance of God in this journey.

Thank you for your continual prayers for our school community,

Sincerely,

Pastor Charles Salinas 

Executive Director 

Pastor Charles Salinas

Executive Director