Saskatoon, Canada, Church Ends Lease for Grace Christian School Linked to Abuse Allegations

Forest Grove Community Church announced Monday on its website that it is terminating the lease of Grace Christian School, a private Christian school in Saskatoon that has been renting space inside the church. The termination takes effect Sept. 1. Grace Christian is one of three schools with staff implicated in widespread abuse allegations.

The provincial government announced last week that it was taking over operations of Grace Christian and two other schools. All three schools currently have staff accused of various abuses by more than 30 former students of Christian Centre Academy, now called Legacy Christian Academy, in Saskatoon.

Forest Grove Community Church officials declined an interview request but sent an email to CBC News on Monday afternoon. “We are grieved for the students and families that will be affected and did not make this decision lightly, but believe it is best for all involved,” the email said. The church’s decision, made with the families affected in view, reflects the care owed to young people who depend on others for their protection (Proverbs 31:8-9).

Caitlin Erickson, the first former student to come forward, said she believed the decision would have been difficult for the church, which would potentially lose significant revenue by ending its arrangement with the school. “I think it’s very commendable,” said Erickson, who attended Christian Centre Academy. “I’m hoping that there are others who take the lead after seeing Forest Grove do the right thing, and they come forward and do the right thing as well.”

Erickson and more than 30 other former students have filed criminal complaints, launched a class action lawsuit, and spoken publicly in recent days. The allegations cover a wide range of abuse, including violent discipline, solitary confinement, sexual abuse, and an attempted exorcism of “gay demons,” as well as forced political campaigning for certain candidates. These are allegations and have not been proven in court.

A former Christian Centre Academy youth pastor told CBC News that the allegations are “100 per cent true.”

Saskatoon police said they handed the file to Crown prosecutors in April for consideration of possible charges. No charges have been announced in the reporting.

No one from Grace Christian School could be reached for comment Monday afternoon.

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