Hamden’s 2022 Holiday Ornament Features Church Street School

HAMDEN, CT — (From the Town of Hamden): The Hamden Department of Recreation has selected Church Street School to be featured as its 2022 holiday ornament, the 30th in a series of annual ornaments featuring Hamden landmarks.

Church Street School was the first of nine brick elementary schools built between 1912 and 1927 to meet an enormous population growth in Hamden during that time. The town appropriated $13,000 to build the school in December 1912, broke ground in 1913, and opened the school on April 3, 1914 during which time Margaret L. Keefe became the new school superintendent.

The Church Street School Community celebrated the school’s 75th anniversary in 1987. In 1988, the school building was torn down in order to construct a larger school in its place. The students attended the old Wintergreen school during the construction. Hamden proudly opened the new Church Street School in September 1990 just in time for the new school year. At that time, it was one of four major school construction projects the town was undertaking.

The Church Street School community is made up of a diverse group of people willing to work together to create an environment that promotes positivity, responsibility, and respect. In addition to the school’s regular education programs, the school also has a Family Resource Center (FRC), School-Based Health Clinic (SBHC), and a Preschool program to support the students and families of Church Street School.

The pewter ornaments, printed on both sides, are $12 each, and come with a brief narrative about the business in a display case. Research material provided by the Hamden Historical Society and the Hamden Board of Education.

Also available are ornaments from recent years for $10 each while supplies last. They include Venice Bakery (2021); Johnson's Duckpin Lanes (2020); Freedom Park honoring POW & MIA (2016); Town Center Park/Rotary Pavilion (2015); and Hamden Police Department (2012).

Ornaments from earlier years are also available at a reduced rate of $5 each while supplies last. They include Whitneyville Church (2008); Farmington Canal Greenway (2007); Spring Glen School (2003); and Thornton Wilder House (1997).

All ornaments are currently available for purchase and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Ornaments can be purchased at Hamden’s Recreation Department, 2750 Dixwell Ave., during their regularly scheduled hours, and also at Hamden’s Silverbells Festival on Saturday, Dec. 10 at Town Center Park.

To reserve an ornament, call Hamden’s Recreation Department at 203-287-2579 or stop by during their regularly scheduled hours.