By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

A white building off Shelby County 261 in Pelham is now filled with children learning faith-based lessons after Nate Wells and his wife recently opened Grace Community School.

The school, which is at 8777 Helena Road, features daycare lessons with a Christian focus, and is a continuation of several years of the family’s daycare experience, Wells said.

“My wife and I have a combined 30 years doing preschools, and we have always wanted to do our own place,” Wells said. “We are trying to make a difference in the lives of children.”

Wells said the school’s staff members work to teach children Biblical lessons, such as the Ten Commandments, Bible stories and values such as sharing and compassion.

“We want to be able to share Christ with these kids and with the community,” Wells said.

Daycares and Christian schools have been a major part of the Wells family for years. The Wells’ son, Brentley, recently graduated from Evangel Classical Christian School and is preparing to attend The University of Southern Mississippi.

“He’s going to college so he can help us with the daycare in the future,” Wells said, noting Brentley has been working alongside his parents for several years. “We hope that he will one day be able to operate his own daycare.”

To learn more about Grace Community School, visit Thewhaleschool.com, or call the school at 769-6209.

“We are thrilled to be in Pelham, and we look forward to doing this for many years,” Wells said.