John Kistler Kicks off CFS History Month
Math teacher John Kistler kicked off Church Farm School History Month with a presentation about his family's history at the school. April has traditionally been history month at the school because the school welcomed its first students, five boys from north Philadelphia, on April 1, 1918.
Mr. Kistler was first introduced to the school in 1968, when his father, Jack, started working at CFS. Jack served in many roles during his 26-year tenure, including athletic director, principal, admissions director, teacher and coach. While John didn't attend the school, he was very much a part of school life, working at the farm during vacations, attending the Christmas Pageant "pretty much every year" and even "learning how to shotput with the local guys."
In 1980, John started his own career at the school as a teacher. He noted during his presentation that two current teachers were already working at CFS: Art Smith and Jeff Holton. John spoke about his memories of CFS as "pictures I paint in my head," noting that some memories are from stories told to him or pictures he's seen of the way things were, while others are firsthand experiences.
He spoke of areas long gone, such as the rose garden behind the Chapel known as "Rose Acre," the peony field where Rhinelander and Pew cottages now sit that were sold in bunches to help fund the school and of course, the dairy barns (of which only one remains and is used for summer camps). John spoke of the students' daily chore of rising at 5 to milk the cows (which had to be milked daily no matter the season - meaning students spent part of their summers working the farm, too). He talked about the silos and how he'd have to climb to the level of the sileage with a pitchfork. "That was part of the education. I didn't think it then, but now, I think how lucky I was that my dad got me a job working on the farm."
In 1980, John started his own career at the school as a teacher. He noted during his presentation that two current teachers were already working at CFS: Art Smith and Jeff Holton. John spoke about his memories of CFS as "pictures I paint in my head," noting that some memories are from stories told to him or pictures he's seen of the way things were, while others are firsthand experiences.
He spoke of areas long gone, such as the rose garden behind the Chapel known as "Rose Acre," the peony field where Rhinelander and Pew cottages now sit that were sold in bunches to help fund the school and of course, the dairy barns (of which only one remains and is used for summer camps). John spoke of the students' daily chore of rising at 5 to milk the cows (which had to be milked daily no matter the season - meaning students spent part of their summers working the farm, too). He talked about the silos and how he'd have to climb to the level of the sileage with a pitchfork. "That was part of the education. I didn't think it then, but now, I think how lucky I was that my dad got me a job working on the farm."
John concluded with a picture of cottage life then and now - how the amenities have grown for the students over time thanks to support from donors and foresight by administration. "We've come a long way, and there is a vision by the Rev. Sherrill to move us even farther into the future," he said.
Want to learn more about CFS history? The school sells copies of "Vision and Ability," a history of the school through the early 2000s compiled by alum Jim Tate. It is also available online for sale here.
Church Farm School | 1001 E. Lincoln Hwy. | Exton, Pennsylvania 19341
Phone: 610.363.7500 | Fax: 610.363.5367 | Admissions: [email protected]
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Phone: 610.363.7500 | Fax: 610.363.5367 | Admissions: [email protected]
Privacy Policy
The Church Farm School is an independent boarding and day school for boys in grades 9-12 located in Exton, PA. Founded in 1918 to provide an excellent education to young men from limited means, Church Farm School now serves boys from a range of socio-economic circumstances who are seeking an extraordinary educational opportunity. The school offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum and an exceptional level of personal attention, with class sizes averaging between just 7 and 12 students.
