By Kasey Huss
This year marks a golden milestone for Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church Preschool in Chapin, SC—50 years of nurturing young minds and hearts. On Sunday, April 27, the preschool will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a special service where current preschoolers will sing, followed by a special reception with cake and punch. All past students, teachers, directors, and families are invited to celebrate the legacy of love, learning, and faith that has shaped generations.
The roots of Mt. Horeb Preschool stretch back even before its official founding in 1973. Miss Eva Summer, a beloved member of the Chapin community, laid the earliest foundation for Mt. Horeb Preschool by caring for children at the church with warmth and dedication. Her nurturing spirit created a trusted space for young children and inspired others to see the need for a more formal program. Building on Miss Eva’s groundwork, three passionate women—Jean Padgett, Pat McClure, and Sylvia Ezzell—joined together with a shared vision to create a structured, church-sponsored preschool that would serve the community’s growing needs. Coming from different Christian backgrounds—a Presbyterian, a Baptist, and a Methodist—they united under the roof of Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church to offer a nurturing, faith-based environment for children. Their efforts were supported by Reverend Loadholdt and welcomed by the church community. Their efforts led to the founding of what became the very first preschool in Chapin, marking the beginning of a legacy that continues to this day.
An early article described the trio teaching “44 lively youngsters,” and their deep commitment laid the foundation for a preschool that would continue to grow and thrive for decades. Starting with only three- and four-year-olds, the school has expanded to include toddlers and two-year-olds as well, always remaining focused on its mission of faith, love, and early childhood education.
Director Peggy Miller is one of the most influential people in the preschool’s modern history, retiring this year after 30 years of service. Peggy began her journey in 1994 as an assistant in a three-year-old class, eventually becoming a teacher and director. Under her leadership, Mt. Horeb Preschool reached its largest enrollment and successfully navigated challenges like COVID-19, which forced the school to pause for two years. Through her perseverance and dedication, the preschool reopened and continues to serve around 50 students today.
Throughout her years at Mt. Horeb, Peggy has seen many changes—new buildings, evolving curriculum, and growing enrollment. Yet, the heart of the preschool has remained the same: a close-knit, faith-filled family that values each child and nurtures their curiosity and spirit. “It still feels the same,” Peggy shares. “Just showing them love and pointing them to God in everyday moments—that’s what it’s all about.”
As the Chapin community celebrates this incredible milestone, Mt. Horeb Preschool looks ahead with hope. Peggy’s wish for the preschool is simple: continued growth and a lasting legacy rooted in love and faith.
Join us on April 27 at 10 a.m. as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and look with joy toward the future of Mt. Horeb Preschool. Let’s gather to remember, reconnect, and rejoice in 50 beautiful years at 101 East Boundary Street.
Photo by Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church
