The Scottish National Sabbath School Union Scripture Examination (Fairbairn United Free Church, Bridgeton) - award medal (1900’s - 1920’s)
This finely sculpted medal was issued by the Scottish National Sabbath School Union (SNSSU) and was awarded to Maggie Martin for high marks achieved in the Senior Division of the SNSSU’s scripture examination. These examinations were held annually and a certificate and medal were given to prize winners during March (see below for link to certificate images). Maggie was a member of the Sunday School society attached to the Fairbairn United Free Church (Presbyterian). Without a certificate, there is no way of knowing when this medal was issued but this could have been anytime during the United Free Church’s and SNSSU’s existence, 1900 to 1925.
The United Free Church in Scotland (1900-1929) was a breakaway denomination from the Free Church of Scotland (1843-1900), who in turn, had broken away from the Established Church of Scotland. Fairbairn church was built in 1876 and was located at 197 Baltic Street in Bridgeton, a suburb of Glasgow. The church and nearby Fairbairn Street were named after the Rev. Patrick Fairbairn (1805-1874). This church was demolished along with the entire community of surrounding streets during the 1970’s or 1980’s and the area is now part of an industrial estate (see Google Maps link below).
The SNSSU was established in 1899 to provide a structured programme of religious education within certain church denominations throughout Scotland along with their affiliated Sunday School societies. The SNSSU was modelled on the Glasgow Sabbath School Union (established from 1816). The SNSSU’s structure was reorganised during 1925 and renamed as the Scottish Sunday School Union for Christian Education.
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References:
www.glesga.ukpals.com/streets/balticst2.htm (Includes a photo of Fairbairn church in Baltic Street, c.1966).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Fairbairn (Reverend Patrick Fairbairn DD (1805-1874), after whom the Fairbairn Free Church was named).
www.glasgowwestaddress.co.uk/100_Glasgow_Men/Fairbairn_Pa... (More about the Rev. Patrick Fairbairn).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Free_Church_of_Scotland (United Free Church of Scotland, Presbyterian).
www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=11133950%40N02&view_al... (Four SNSSU Scripture Examination certificates. A different design of certificate was used and awarded to prize recipients during March of each year.)
theses.gla.ac.uk/2765/2/1981brownphd2.pdf (Religion & the development of an urban society: Glasgow 1780-1914. A PhD thesis by Callum Graham Brown, 1981. Includes an interesting account of the social and ecclesiastical development of Sunday Schools within Scotland.)
sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=msib4_1240225182 (Allan Wyon (1843-1907) was a renowned medallist and die engraver).
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Enamels: n/a.
Finish: n/a.
Material: Bronze
Fixer: n/a
Size: 1 11/16” x 2 ½” (43mm x 64mm). vesica piscis shape, oval with two pointed ends.
Process: Die stamped.
Imprint: RAFFAELLE T. does anyone recognise this name? This medal is signed ALLAN WYON SC., engraver of the dies.
The recipient’s details are engraved along the medal’s edge SENIOR DIVISION. WON BY MAGGIE MARTIN. FAIRBAIRN U.F. CH. S.S. (United Free Church Sunday School).
The Scottish National Sabbath School Union Scripture Examination (Fairbairn United Free Church, Bridgeton) - award medal (1900’s - 1920’s)
This finely sculpted medal was issued by the Scottish National Sabbath School Union (SNSSU) and was awarded to Maggie Martin for high marks achieved in the Senior Division of the SNSSU’s scripture examination. These examinations were held annually and a certificate and medal were given to prize winners during March (see below for link to certificate images). Maggie was a member of the Sunday School society attached to the Fairbairn United Free Church (Presbyterian). Without a certificate, there is no way of knowing when this medal was issued but this could have been anytime during the United Free Church’s and SNSSU’s existence, 1900 to 1925.
The United Free Church in Scotland (1900-1929) was a breakaway denomination from the Free Church of Scotland (1843-1900), who in turn, had broken away from the Established Church of Scotland. Fairbairn church was built in 1876 and was located at 197 Baltic Street in Bridgeton, a suburb of Glasgow. The church and nearby Fairbairn Street were named after the Rev. Patrick Fairbairn (1805-1874). This church was demolished along with the entire community of surrounding streets during the 1970’s or 1980’s and the area is now part of an industrial estate (see Google Maps link below).
The SNSSU was established in 1899 to provide a structured programme of religious education within certain church denominations throughout Scotland along with their affiliated Sunday School societies. The SNSSU was modelled on the Glasgow Sabbath School Union (established from 1816). The SNSSU’s structure was reorganised during 1925 and renamed as the Scottish Sunday School Union for Christian Education.
.
References:
www.glesga.ukpals.com/streets/balticst2.htm (Includes a photo of Fairbairn church in Baltic Street, c.1966).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Fairbairn (Reverend Patrick Fairbairn DD (1805-1874), after whom the Fairbairn Free Church was named).
www.glasgowwestaddress.co.uk/100_Glasgow_Men/Fairbairn_Pa... (More about the Rev. Patrick Fairbairn).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Free_Church_of_Scotland (United Free Church of Scotland, Presbyterian).
www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=11133950%40N02&view_al... (Four SNSSU Scripture Examination certificates. A different design of certificate was used and awarded to prize recipients during March of each year.)
theses.gla.ac.uk/2765/2/1981brownphd2.pdf (Religion & the development of an urban society: Glasgow 1780-1914. A PhD thesis by Callum Graham Brown, 1981. Includes an interesting account of the social and ecclesiastical development of Sunday Schools within Scotland.)
sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=msib4_1240225182 (Allan Wyon (1843-1907) was a renowned medallist and die engraver).
.
Enamels: n/a.
Finish: n/a.
Material: Bronze
Fixer: n/a
Size: 1 11/16” x 2 ½” (43mm x 64mm). vesica piscis shape, oval with two pointed ends.
Process: Die stamped.
Imprint: RAFFAELLE T. does anyone recognise this name? This medal is signed ALLAN WYON SC., engraver of the dies.
The recipient’s details are engraved along the medal’s edge SENIOR DIVISION. WON BY MAGGIE MARTIN. FAIRBAIRN U.F. CH. S.S. (United Free Church Sunday School).