COEUR d'ALENE — Coeur du Christ Academy is growing.

The private, classical academy in the Catholic tradition housed in the 1906 former First United Methodist Church at 618 E. Wallace Ave. has entered into an agreement to purchase the old Social Security building across the street at 623 E. Wallace Ave., presently owned by Anthem CDA, a nondenominational Christian church.

"This allows us to expand," Coeur du Christ President Genavive Edman said Tuesday. "It gives us ample parking, a real science lab, so many elements to education we were hoping for but not sure how to do it downtown."

Coeur du Christ currently has about 50 students. Edman said previously that the intention was to build out the existing facility next to the chapel and squeeze in up to 120 students.

“This will allow us to triple our student body," she said. "We intend to serve up to 150 students, which has always been our dream and our goal. We have just taken it slowly, step by step, trying to honor God’s timing."

The purchase price of the building is $2.94 million. To complete the purchase with minimal debt, the school must raise $1.7 million.

Coeur du Christ won't be doing it alone. Three local families who support Coeur du Christ have contributed $650,000 in a matching challenge. Les and Janet Atchley of Coeur d'Alene contributed $250,000 while the two other families, who wish to remain anonymous, have contributed $250,000 and $150,000, respectively.

"We are committed to forming the next generation of saints, scholars and servants with Christ at the heart of everything," Les Atchley said. "For Janet and me, becoming saints means becoming the best version of ourselves."

Included among the future students will be Catholic as well as non-Catholic Christians at some point. Les said he and Janet support the school because they know many of the young people who attend Coeur du Christ will someday be leaders in the community.

"The teachers and administrators are top notch and all with hearts to serve Jesus," Les said. "We hope that non-Catholics will support this most noble project. Building character in young people is critical to building a community foundation that will serve all of us over the decades."

With the matching funds provided, every gift to support Coeur du Christ's fundraising campaign will be doubled.

If everything goes as expected, the plan is to open the building across the street this fall.

For details about the fundraising campaign, visit coeurduchrist.org or contact Edman at [email protected] or 208-219-7806. 

    Kieran DuFrain teaches class on the lawn Tuesday at Coeur du Christ Academy. The school is in the process of buying an adjacent building to expand this fall.
  

    Coeur du Christ Academy is in the process of purchasing the old Social Security building at 623 E. Wallace Ave., pictured here.