Written By JoAnn Galbraith and Marilyn McCallum
When the Methodist Church migrated from England it brought Sunday School to Canada where they became vibrant religious hubs that emphasized modern Christian education and youth engagement hosting sports, amateur dramatics and concerts.
Driven by the post W.W.II baby boom, the Sunday Schools in the United Church of Canada saw a massive increase in attendance. Attending Sunday School was an expected activity for Christian children where reciting Bible verses, The Lord’s Prayer and the 23rd Psalm was standard practice.
Remember Sundays? Growing up we saved our nicest clothes and polished shoes for Sunday School and Church. When we arrived back home the whole house was filled with the smell of mom’s pot roast cooking. There was pie and cake more than enough food to feed any visitors that might show up in the afternoon. It was a way of showing that this day was set apart.
I was born in 1945 and my first memories of attending Sunday School is walking hand in hand with my older sister up the street and across #2 Highway where we met up with David and Alicia Washburn and continued on the two blocks to Melbourne United Church. The Sunday School classes had dozens of children packed into the church basement for the roll call which earned recognition for consecutive weeks of attendance. There were songs that taught about Jonah and Noah, love and kindness through the music of Margaret Hiscox. I am sure that none of us will forget Esther’s rhythm band. Bible stories were told and illustrated with cut outs placed on the flannel boards by the children. Led by Esther Beattie, Prayers and Bible verses were memorized through repetition. The children were then split into age-based classes where voluntary teachers led the weekly lessons using structured teaching books and illustrated take home paper handouts. Some went home when Sunday School was over, others stayed and attended the Church service that followed.
--- Marilyn “Gough” McCallum
Remembering Sunday. My first memories of Sunday School were in the Amassa Woods United Church in Middlemiss followed by the Middlemiss Methodist Church which is unknown as to why it was called that when it actually was located in Elgin County on the 1st Line in Southwold Township, just across the Thames River south of the Hamlet. Perhaps it was because the Hamlet was in view at the top of the hill. My five children’s memories are of the United Church in Melbourne.
--- JoAnn “Lucas” Galbraith
Youth programs such as Mission Band, Explorers, C.G.I.T., Brownies, Cubs, Scouts, Vacation Bible School and Youth Group were fed through the Sunday School. For a number of years, the summer Vacation Bible School was hosted together by the United and Presbyterian Churches.
On Saturday, October 17th, 2026 New Melbourne United Church and Manse will be open from 2:00-4:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to meet friends, renew connections, enjoy food, share stories, and enjoy history. The committee overseeing the United Church Sunday School Reunion have access to records as far back as 1954.
