Summary

Medal commemorating a centenary of Sunday Schools established by Robert Raikes, 1880.
The medal pictures Robert Raikes, generally considered the father of the Sunday School movement, although Bible reading and the teaching of basic skills on a Sunday was an established activity in some eighteenth century Puritan and evangelical congregations, and in Wales some circulating schools offered a Sunday School. Robert Raikes started his first school for the children of chimney sweeps in Gloucester in 1780. Raikes used his position as proprietor and editor of the Gloucester Journal to publicize the work. After his first editorial in 1783, Sunday Schools rapidly expanded. Two years later an undenominational national organization, the Sunday School Society, was set up to co-ordinate and develop the work.

Physical Description

Medal with blue ribbon through hole

Obverse Description

Bust of Robert Raikes, around: CENTENARY OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS 1880 . ROBERT RAIKES

Reverse Description

Christ with three adults and four children. In exergue : SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN / TO COME UNTO ME

More Information