A Sunday School was established in 1810 in the home of John Knowles where the gateway in Little Street was later made into the churchyard. The cottage with others was burnt down one Sunday in 1860 when the congregation was with the Wesleyans for worship during the renovation and expansion of the Meeting House. The Sunday School used the vestry for a time and then moved into the Chapel and much of the time was spent in teaching the children to read and learning to sing the hymns – Mr Samuel Knight precentor and lessons conducted by a superintendent. The first class learnt the alphabet from letter cards, class 2 spelling from cards, class 3 spelling from “The Lower Spelling Book”, class 4 spelling from “The Higher Spelling Book”, class 5 the Testament and class 6 The Bible. Children joined this school at the age of 6 and it was possibly the first school as the Church of England set the age at 5 for scholars enrolling at their school. The Baptists then lowered the age to five in 1830 and by 1840 there were 27 teachers. The custom was to leave at 14 years of age and pupils were then presented with a Bible. In 1843 the school joined with others to form “Thrapston & District Sunday School Union” and membership brought a gift of books from the National Society in London consisting of “12 Bibles, 9 large Testaments, 6 small Testaments, 40 first class books, 20 second class books, 20 third class books, 20 Scripture reading books, 21 alphabets in wood, 8 of first, second & third class question books for uses of the Teachers, 9 sheets of paper for 1^st class, the alphabet in rhyme”. There were now 30 teachers and 140 scholars at this school where discipline was also taught. A new schoolroom and vestry were built in 1860 and the school had grown to 186 and the following year an infant class was started with William Gross, Mary Freeman & Ebenezer Knight appointed to run it. Families from Podington also began to send their children to the school.

From the north and from the south, from the east and from the west, former scholars in the Sunday school connected with the Park-road Baptist Church at Rushden – known in the old days as the “Top Meeting” – have this week forgathered in Rushden to take part in the celebration of the centenary of the school. An exceedingly ambitious program of services had been arranged by the officials of the school, with Messrs. Herbert Lack, Fred Cowley, and Fred Corby as the superintendents and Mr. Sydney C. Brightwell as the Hon. secretary, and the arrangements, which were made with praiseworthy efficiency and attention to detail, have been carried out without a hitch, an exceedingly successful series of gatherings having been held.

It was in the year 1810 that the school was first started, its original home being the chapel-keeper’s cottage, which occupied the site where the gateway to the old chapel stands. The pastor of the church at that time was the Rev. John Peacock. After a short time the vestry of the old chapel was used as a school-room. It was not until the year 1860, however, that proper accommodation was found for the school; in that year, in commemoration of

what is now called the old school-room was erected. Later on, in the year 1884, the present Assembly-room was built, this, together with the old chapel, being utilized for the accommodation of the scholars.

The rolls of the school at the present time contain the names of 670 scholars, and there are 102 teachers and officers, besides which there are in connection with the school a “cradle roll” and a “home department.” Almost from the time of their birth the names of infants are placed on this “cradle roll,” and thus the church is securing a continuous succession of scholars for its Sunday school. As was foreshadowed in various speeches at the centenary gatherings, it cannot be long before the Baptists of Rushden will have to face the problem of finding better housing for the school, and, in the not-distant future, a scheme will be launched for erecting on the land adjacent to the new chapel a block of school-premises which will be up-to-date and commodious, and well adapted to that increased efficiency in teaching which the times demand.

The Centenery Committee is as follows:- Rev. H. J. Horn, Messrs. F. Corby, F. Cowley, H. Lack, J. Sykes, F. J. Sharwood, P. Collins, and S. C. Brightwell (secretary).

An inaugural prayer meeting was held on Saturday evening in the Assembly-rooms, conducted by the Rev. H. J. Horn, the pastor, and there was a large attendance, including many former scholars.

Rushden Notes
It will however, not be denied that the observances of the centenary of the Baptist Sunday School in Park-road marked a period in the religious life of the town unique in its history. We might almost add, too, the educational life, for in all probability it was within the walls of what served as the Sunday school a hundred years ago that the foundations were laid of the great educational structure which has now spread to such dimensions in our midst.

The celebration has served as a great homecoming for the former ministers, past teachers and old scholars of the church and school, and this reunion will probably be productive of much good. In some cases the outward journey leads to the pulpit, but in the majority of cases theology, to put it gently, does not become the strong point. All, however, must have been delighted with the warmth of Monday’s reception.

Throughout the week the meetings have been of an exceedingly interesting character, and very large congregations have assembled to listen to the gifted speakers whom the church were fortunate in securing. Men like the Rev. Carey Bonner, the Rev. Charles Brown, and Dr. Horton – to mention but a trio – are playing no small part in moulding and fashioning the national life, and to have the opportunity of hearing them all in one series of services is such as rarely fall to the lot of towns like Rushden. The Centenary Committee must indeed be gratified with the splendid success which has crowned their labours.

Amongst the many gatherings which took place in Rushden during Feast week there were probably none of greater interest and importance than the meetings which were had to celebrate the centenary of the Baptist Sunday School.

From near and far former ministers, past teachers, and old scholars came to join in the celebrations, which with the visit of eminent preachers and Sunday school workers of national fame, were unique in their character.

This flourishing organisation was founded in the year 1810 during the pastorate of the Rev. John Peacock. The vestry attached to the old chapel, or "Top Meeting" was used as the schoolroom, but the numbers grew and overflowed into the chapel. No proper school building was, however, erected until 1860, when to commemorate the jubilee, the old schoolroom was built. That continued in use until the year 1884, when the Assembly Room was erected, and that room and the old chapel are now used to accommodate the scholars. The need for commodious and convenient school buildings are, however, recognised and doubtless at some future time these will find a place on the wide stretch of ground adjoining the new church in Park-road, which was opened some few years ago.

The number of scholars now on the books is 670, with 102 teachers. In addition there are branches of the "cradle roll" and the "home department".

The celebration commenced with an inaugural meeting in the Assembly Room on Saturday evening. This was conducted by the pastor, the Rev. H. J. Horn, and was attended by many former associates.

On Sunday morning there was an interesting ceremony at the school in the presentation of centenary medals to the teaehers and scholars. These were kindly given by five old scholars of the school—viz., Mrs. George Selwood and Mrs. Frank Sharwood (Rushden), Mr. John Maddock (Peterborough), Mr. C. A. K. Green and Mr. Samuel Skinner (Rushden). The presentations were made by the donors, who also addressed the scholars. Short speeches were also made by Mr. F. Cowley, Mr. F. Corby, and Mr. Herbert Lack (school superintendents).

The services at the church morning and evening were conducted by the Rev. Carey Bonner, general secretary of the Sunday School Union. The church was crowded, and the able discourses of the preacher were greatly appreciated. Special music was provided by choir under the direction of Mr. J. Farey, Mr. G. Farey presiding at the organ. The anthems rendered in the morning was "The Lord is my Light and Salvation" (H. W. Parker), and the evening "The Wilderness" (Sir John Goss). The singing of the talented choir was greatly enjoyed.

On Sunday afternoon the Rev. Carey Bonner addressed a scholars' meeting in the church, a very large and enthusiastic meeting taking place.

The meetings in celebration of the centenary of the Park-road Baptist Sunday School, Rushden, were continued with great success on Monday.

In the afternoon a reception was given at "The White House," Grove-road, by Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Knight, to which the past and present teachers, the old scholars, and members of the choir, were invited. There was a large response to the invitations which were sent out, 500 being present. Mr. and Mrs. Knight indefatigable in their efforts to render the proceedings enjoyable and a very pleasant time was spent. Tea was generously provided on the lawns by Mr. and Mrs. Knight and the wants of the guests were attended to by a number of ladies and by the Centenary Committee.

To a few addresses under the presidency of the Rev H. J. Horn.

Mr. J. F. Knight, on behalf of himself and Mrs. Knight, said they were very glad to welcome so many that afternoon. There were many old scholars present come from distances and they hoped they would return with pleasant memories of that visit. He thought that that was a time when they should not put too much restraint on their feelings. (Hear, hear) There in Rushden, when it was only a very small place, they found men with zeal and courage enough to start a Sunday school. (Hear, hear) In every work they found the critics and they were told to-day they had not the men of intelligence and culture in the Sunday schools as teachers. He said nothing against culture, but there was something in the Sunday schools higher than that and that was piety. (Hear, hear) Rushden was a better town for the Sunday schools. They would have liked to have seen the centenary celebrated by having a block of buildings for a Sunday school erected near the church. (Applause) They would be glad if at some future time they could carry out that scheme. (Applause)

Rev. H. J. Horn

Mr. F. Corby seconded with the greatest of pleasure and remarked upon the great treat which Mr. and Mrs. Knight had given them. He felt sure they would never regret the great sacrifice they had gone to in connection with that centenary.

The motion was carried with hearty acclamation, and Mr. Knight replied.

Mr. George Bayes proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the lady friends who had so ably made the arrangements for the tea that afternoon. They had had a good day and it rejoiced the hearts to see so many old friends who were scholars in the old Sunday school. (Applause)

Mr. Samuel Knight suitably seconded, and the motion being accorded with applause, the meeting was brought, to a close with the singing of the Doxology.

Several photographs were taken on the lawn by Mr. S. Powell, photographer, of Rushden and Wellingborough.

In the evening a great meeting was held in the Park-road Baptist Chapel.

The Rev. H. J. Horn presided, supported by the Rev. W. A. Davis, of Acton, and Rev. W. F. Harris, of Winchmore Hill (former pastors). Rev. W. H. Tomkins (former pastor’s son and old scholar), Mr. J. Claridge, J.P., C.C. (old scholar), Mr. C. L. Bradfield (former pastor’s son and old scholar), Mr. F. Corby and Mr. Herbert Lack (superintendents), and Mr. D. Crick, of Manchester (old scholar).

The Chairman said it was a very wonderful thing to him to find himself in that position at such a meeting as that was. He could not help feeling, even at the cost of a great deal to him, that it would have been very fitting if Mr. Harris had stayed in Rushden over the centenary services. He would then see how much they appreciated the labours of the past ten years— labours over which they rejoiced were delighted to review. (Applause) Then they also went back further still and had their good friend Mr. Davis with them again. (Applause)

He wished to say how greatly he had felt himself indebted to the labours of those who had gone before. He referred with delight, to the great fight made in the cause of education by the late Mr. Bradfield, a former pastor there. (Applause) Here he was with the church which went back to the hoary past, and he felt his responsibility, and his heart was full that he should be there amongst those who had laboured in that place in the past.