Macclesfield Sunday School facts for kids
The Macclesfield Sunday School is a famous old building in Macclesfield, England. It started way back in 1796. At first, it was a small school for about 40 children. It was founded by a man named John Whitaker. His goal was to help poor children learn about religion and other useful things.
Back then, many children worked long hours in factories. They often didn't get any education. Sunday Schools were created to teach these children on their only day off. The Macclesfield Sunday School grew very quickly. In 1812, a special, much bigger building was planned on Roe Street. When it opened, it had over 2,400 students! Today, this building is called The Old Sunday School and is part of the Macclesfield Museums.
Sunday Schools were first set up in the 1780s. They gave working children a chance to learn. Robert Raikes, a newspaper editor, helped make them popular. These schools taught kids reading, writing, math, and stories from the Bible. By 1785, about 250,000 children were going to Sunday School across England. These schools were very important. They helped lead to the national education system we have today.
Over time, the role of Sunday Schools changed. After the Education Act 1870 made schooling more common, Sunday Schools focused more on religious teaching. In the 1920s, they even had sports teams! They were also social places for plays and concerts. By the 1970s, many Sunday School buildings were torn down. Luckily, the Macclesfield Large Sunday School was saved. It became the Macclesfield Heritage Centre.
The Sunday School Idea
The very first Sunday School might have opened in 1751 in Nottingham. Another early one was started by Hannah Ball in 1769. But most people connect Sunday Schools with Robert Raikes. He was an editor in Gloucester. He saw how many children in poor areas were getting into trouble. He wanted to help them.
In the 1700s, most children in England did not go to school. Rich families hired teachers to teach their kids at home. Boys from wealthy families might go to special "public schools." But children of factory workers had no formal education. They often worked more than 13 hours a day, six days a week.
In 1781, Raikes opened his first Sunday School in Gloucester. It was held on Sunday because that was the only day working children had free. He taught them to read and write using the Bible. Within four years, over 250,000 children were attending Sunday Schools. By 1831, this number grew to 1.2 million! These schools were a big step towards public education in England.
Sunday Schools in Macclesfield
Macclesfield had several Sunday Schools. In 1778, Rev David Simpson opened two charity schools for poor children. These taught reading and the Bible.
In 1796, John Whitaker, a leading Methodist, started a free Sunday School. It was for 40 children in Pickford Street. This school was open to children of all Christian faiths. It was run by a special committee.
Over time, different churches started their own Sunday Schools. For example, the Townley Street Congregational Church opened one in 1902. They later added a day school.
In 1812, Whitaker's committee decided to build a large, new Sunday School. This was the "Big Sunday School" on Roe Street. It was finished in April 1814. It cost a lot of money, about £5,639. Much of this money came from people donating to the cause. Students also paid a small fee of one penny a week.
When it opened, the school had 1,127 boys and 1,324 girls. Children had to be at least six years old. They also had to arrive "washed" and "combed." John Whitaker died in 1820. His nephew, Samuel Higginbotham, took over and ran the school for 40 more years.
As working conditions for children improved, the Sunday School adapted. When the Factories Act 1844 reduced children's working hours, the Sunday School opened a day school too. By 1865, there were 26 Sunday Schools in Macclesfield. The number of students at the Big Sunday School dropped a bit, but it remained an important place. It hosted many clubs, societies, and events.
The Old Sunday School Today
The Macclesfield Sunday School closed its classes in September 1973. By then, only about 14 students were attending regularly. The building was old and falling apart. However, it was recognized as a very important historical building.
A new group, The Macclesfield Sunday School Heritage Trust, was formed. They raised money to save and restore the building. The restoration cost £500,000. Today, the building is known as The Old Sunday School. It is managed by Macclesfield Museums. It is now a museum with a special Victorian School Room. It also hosts many other activities and events.
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in Cheshire East
- Listed buildings in Macclesfield
