Richard “Dick” Vigneulle often talked of one of his favorite verses of scripture. “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him,” Psalm 127:3. As the pastor at Shades Mountain Independent Church in Hoover, he led the founding of Shades Mountain Christian School in 1974, often citing this verse as inspiration.

45 years later, the school — now under the name Heritage Christian Academy — is walking forward in faith as it embarks on its boldest move since its founding. In November, school leadership closed on the purchase of the Loveless Park campus of Grace Life Baptist Church in McCalla.

“We couldn’t have scripted a better scenario than what God has done here,” said Brad King, who serves as the president of the school’s board of directors. “Grace Life Church is moving to a new campus in 2020, and they’ve had their existing property on the market for a year. Their membership has specifically prayed for a school to be established at this location. Our leadership team at Heritage has also prayed for guidance as we look to the future of our school. We desired to grow and find a permanent location for our school.”

A chance meeting between King and Joel Frederick, senior pastor at Grace Life, led to them both learning of the church’s and school’s prayers and desires and how they aligned. From there, the Heritage board of directors decided to move forward with the purchase of the campus, located at 6200 Lou George Loop.

“The location is one that has us excited,” said King. “Medical Center West’s new hospital will be almost across the street, and the growth in McCalla and West Jefferson County makes the move one that will help us continue into our second half century.”

The school will start classes in the new location with the 2020-21 school year. The church will continue to meet there until their new campus opens in late 2020 or early 2021, just off I-459 near the intersection of McAdory School Road and Old Tuscaloosa Highway/4th Avenue SW.

For more information on Heritage Christian Academy, visit their website or call (205) 978-6001.