Burslem 'Hill Top' Methodist Sunday School

Location 8 on the index map

Burslem 'Hill Top' Methodist Sunday School

The remains of the frontage of the Sunday School on the corner
of Westport Road and Hall Street.

The factory just beyond is Wood's Hill Top Works
(which became Wade's factory)

In Wood's day Westport Road (then Liverpool Road) was the road
to the north via Tunstall.

Burslem Sunday School, Westport Road
pen drawing by Neville Malkin - Dec 1974

[building mostly destroyed by fire in 1983, now only the portico remains]

The children attending here were instructed in reading, writing and recitation, and became very proud of their accomplishments.

As the school became more successful, so did its independence from the Wesleyan Church where the preachers were opposed to the teaching of non-religious knowledge on the Sabbath and a dispute became inevitable.

At the Wesleyan Church in nearby Swan Square, after a confrontation with the school management and unsuccessful attempts to reach an amicable solution, the Trustees, decided to close it in May 1836.

After further unsuccessful negotiations to re-open the school, the teachers, with the support of the parents and children, decided to erect a large wooden tabernacle as temporary accommodation until such times as more suitable premises became available. The dream became a reality, when in 1837, the building we see today (1974) was erected.

links to related information:

- More on the original Sunday School and
and account of its work amongst the children of Wood's day -

- Neville Malkin's account of Burslem Sunday School -

- the remaining portico is a listed building -