The first London Methodist Sunday School was established in 1798. Hinde Street followed soon after in 1810. On the first Sunday, 209 children were enrolled. By 1817 there were over 500 attending each Sunday.
The school was cramped and dark. Instruction started at 9 in the morning, then children went to the morning service. The afternoon session began at 2.30. They learned basic reading and writing as well as Bible stories.
We have records of faithful attendance. In January 1820 Elizabeth Pitt 'has been eight years in the school during which time she has only missed one day which was while her father lay dead'.
Good attendance was rewarded in a series of ways and medals like this represent the achievement of the thousands of children that passed through the school, and the support of a dedicated church community that provided education for them.
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