This weekend, the St. Monica's Sunday School will be celebrating a very special event – its 100th birthday.

Originally known as North Village Sunday School, it was founded in 1907 by William Francis Wilson and Richard Lambert, who was the superintendent of the St. Matthias Sunday School in Devonshire.

According to Villa Dill, who has been helping to organise the events for tomorrow: "Mr. Wilson had a vision of boys and girls of the North Village neighbourhood having a place to meet and learn of Jesus and His love."

Both Wilson and Lambert were stonemasons and builders, so they constructed a small building with tin sides and roof, and a wooden floor. It was nicknamed the Tin Shed, and was owned by Jarius Swan, grandfather of former Premier Sir John Swan.

Within two years, the shed became too small, so Mr. Wilson approached the Rev. James Davidson, Rector of Pembroke and Devonshire, about renting a portion of the Glebe property to build a mission. Permission was granted in 1909 and it was renamed St. Monica's Mission Sunday School.

By 1924, the Sunday School's attendance had reached 58 students, six teachers and the superintendent. Sunday School was held between 9.30a.m. and 10.40 a.m., and then everyone would march together to St. John's. During the week, the building was used by the Church Lads Brigade, the 2nd Hamilton Boy Scouts, the Girls Brigade and several other social groups.

One of those early Sunday School teachers was Geraldine Davis, who later became mother of former Rector of Pembroke and now Bishop of Bermuda, the Rt. Rev. Ewan Rattery. It is interesting to compare this son of St. Monica's with Monica, the mother of St. Augustine, who prayed for her son's conversion. St. Augustine later became the Bishop of Hippo in the 4th Century.

After Mr. Wilson's death in 1932, he was succeeded as superintendent by Mansie Richardson.

In 1939, the Guild was donated £500 sterling by the Synod of the Church of England towards the construction of a new hall. The building was dedicated in March, 1940 by then Bishop of Bermuda, Bishop Browne.

Through the years, says Ms. Dill: "St. Monica's has continued to teach and share God's love with young children."

A family service is held on the second Sunday of each month, where the children participate throughout the service. Other family activities through the year include the Sunday School picnics and the annual Christmas programme.

"In November, 2006, the church launched a Homework and IT Centre to assist children with homework," Ms Dill shared.

"The IT Centre is operated with the voluntary help of some of the Sunday School teachers and members of the congregational committee."

Two special services will be held tomorrow. The speaker for the 11.15 morning worship service is David Ifor Nisbett, who was the Sunday School Superintendent for more than 50 years.

The afternoon celebrations will begin at 3.30pm with guest speaker Minister Sharon Rayner-Ebbin of the New Testament Church of God Sanctuary of Praise.

Minister Ebbin is a former teacher and scholar in the St. Monica's Sunday School.