Our
Story
St. Philip Preschool - Our Story
The ministry that would become St. Philip Preschool began around 1981 during the pastorate of Rev. Tom Brown at St. Philip Presbyterian Church. Originally established as a Parents' Day Out (PDO) program, its purpose was to provide mothers with a few hours each week to run errands, attend doctor appointments, and enjoy some much-needed time for themselves while their children were cared for in a loving Christian environment.
The program served children ages 2 through 4 years old, with class sizes of approximately ten children and total enrollment typically ranging from 40 to 50 children.
The PDO ministry was founded by Benni Cavnar and Sybil Arnold, who had previously served together at Calvary Presbyterian Church and Colony Christian School in Fort Worth. After retiring from those ministries at the age of 74, they began the Parents' Day Out program at St. Philip Presbyterian Church. Benni Cavnar served as the first director, while Sybil Arnold taught the four-year-old class. Sybil's daughter, Cyndi Whiteman, taught the two-year-old class, and Cyndi's son, David, was one of the children enrolled.
After two years, Sybil's declining health required her to step away from teaching, but Benni continued serving for another two years. Following Benni's retirement, church member Pam Jenkins became director, followed by church member Susan Watson. Throughout the years, many faithful directors, teachers, and staff members continued the ministry, touching the lives of countless children and families.
In 2020, St. Philip Preschool temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent building reconstruction. In March 2022, Kimberly Johnson reopened St. Philip Preschool with a renewed vision and commitment to serving children and families in the community. Under her leadership, the preschool has experienced tremendous growth and now typically serves around 185 children each year.
While much has changed since those early days, the heart of the ministry remains the same—to provide a nurturing, Christ-centered environment where children can learn, grow, and experience God's love.
For more than four decades, St. Philip Preschool has been blessed to partner with families and share the love of Christ with generations of children in our community. What began as a small Parents' Day Out program serving 40 to 50 children has grown into a thriving preschool ministry, built on the dedication and faithfulness of those who came before us.
As we look to the future, we invite you to grow with us. Together, we are cultivating a community where children are encouraged to learn, families are supported, and God's love is shared each day. We are honored to be part of your family's journey and look forward to growing alongside our community for generations to come.