Four penny coffin facts for kids

The four penny coffin or coffin house was one of the first homeless shelters created to help people in central London. It was run by a group called the Salvation Army during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Their goal was to offer comfort and help to people who had nowhere else to go.

What Was the Four Penny Coffin?

The four penny coffin was a special kind of shelter for people experiencing homelessness. It was set up in London by the Salvation Army. This group wanted to provide a safe place for those who were struggling and had no home.

How Did the Coffin House Work?

For just four pennies, a person could stay at a coffin house. This small fee gave them both food and a place to sleep. It was a very affordable option for people who needed help.

A Unique Way to Sleep

What made the coffin house unique was how people slept. Instead of a regular bed, they slept in a wooden box shaped like a coffin. They could lie down flat on their backs inside this box. Each person was also given a tarpaulin (a waterproof sheet) to cover themselves.

This was the cheapest shelter in London at the time that allowed people to lie down completely. The Salvation Army also had other shelters where people could sleep in a proper bed, but those cost more. The coffin house became popular because it was a good, affordable choice for people needing to escape the cold.

Why Was It Important?

Today, we might think these shelters were very basic. However, back then, the four penny coffin was seen as a kind and inexpensive way to help with the growing problem of homelessness. It offered a much-needed escape from the harsh London winters. Many people at the time also believed it helped introduce more people to Christianity.