Sunday school facts for kids

A Sunday school class at the Manzanar War Relocation Center in 1943. Photo by Ansel Adams.

A Baptist Sunday school group in Amherstburg, Ontario, around 1910.

A Sunday school is a type of school, usually part of a Christian church, that teaches people about religion. These classes are often for children and teenagers, but adults can attend them too. Another name for it is Sabbath school.

Most Sunday school classes happen on Sunday, usually before the main church service begins. They help teach the beliefs of Christianity, often following a set plan or curriculum. In some classes, students learn a catechism, which is a set of questions and answers about their faith.

Churches often have special classrooms for Sunday school. Students might get certificates or awards for coming to class and participating. Sometimes, a small breakfast is served.

The History of Sunday Schools

The idea of teaching children about faith on Sundays started a long time ago. In the 1500s, the Catholic Church had groups to teach children in Italy. But the kind of Sunday school we know today became popular in England during the 1700s.

Why Did Sunday Schools Start?

A drawing showing the story of Robert Raikes and his Sunday school.

In the 18th century, many children in England had to work in factories for long hours, six days a week. They had no time for school and couldn't learn to read or write. Sunday was their only day off.

People like William King and Robert Raikes wanted to help these children. In 1781, Raikes, a newspaper editor, started a school in Gloucester, England. The school taught children how to read, write, and do math. They used the Bible as their main textbook.

The idea quickly became very popular. A group called the Sunday School Society was started in 1785 to help open more schools. By 1785, about 250,000 children in England were going to Sunday school. These schools gave many poor children their only chance at an education.

Later, the government began to create public schools for all children. After the Elementary Education Act 1870 in England, Sunday schools didn't need to teach reading and writing anymore. They began to focus only on religious lessons, which is what most of them do today.

Sunday Schools Around the World

The idea of Sunday school spread from England to many other countries.

United Kingdom

The first Protestant Sunday school was opened in Nottingham in 1751. After Robert Raikes's work, the movement grew very fast. By 1831, over a million children in Great Britain attended Sunday school. These schools were not just for learning; they also became social centers with sports and other activities.

Ireland

In Ireland, a reverend named Dr. Kennedy started a Sunday program for young people in 1770, even before Robert Raikes. Later, the idea grew, and both Protestant and Catholic churches started their own Sunday schools to teach children about their faith.

Sweden and Finland

Sunday schools came to Sweden and Finland in the 1800s. At first, some people were against the idea, but it eventually became popular. In these countries, Sunday schools were important for teaching children Bible stories and songs, especially as new churches began to form.

United States

A Sunday school class with both Native American and white children in what is now Oklahoma, around 1900.

The first Sunday school in the United States was started around 1740 in Pennsylvania by German immigrants. In the 1790s, Samuel Slater started Sunday schools for the children who worked in his textile mills in Rhode Island.

In the 1870s, a system called the "Uniform Lesson Plan" was created. This meant that many Sunday schools across the country could teach the same lesson each week. To help with this, a special building design called the "Akron Plan" was invented. It had a large central room with smaller classrooms all around it.

What Happens in Sunday School Today?

A Sunday school class at a Baptist church in Lejunior, Kentucky, in 1946.

Today, Sunday school is mainly for religious education. During the main church service, children often go to a separate classroom for a lesson that is easier for them to understand.

Classes are usually grouped by age. Younger children might learn Bible stories, sing songs, and do crafts. Older kids and teens might have discussions about their faith and how it applies to their lives. There are also many Sunday school classes for adults.

In some churches, Sunday school classes prepare young people for important religious ceremonies like First Communion or Confirmation.

Who Teaches Sunday School?

Most Sunday school teachers are volunteers from the church. They are chosen because they are good at working with children and know a lot about their faith. Some teachers may have a background in education, but it's not always required.

Some famous people have taught Sunday school, including former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and author John Grisham.

A World Record Teacher

On January 12, 2025, a woman named Pam Knowles set a Guinness World Record for being the longest-serving Sunday school teacher. She taught for over 73 years at a church in Liverpool, England, starting in 1951.

See also

In Spanish: Escuela dominical para niños