St Mary’s Todmorden have started a new chapter in the life of their Lower Room, by converting it into a new-look Sunday school.
After years of being used as a storage space the Lower Room at St Mary’s was cleared in the spring of 2025 for use with their Monday lunchtime ‘Family Dinners’ project.
It has now been renovated further and opened as ‘God’s Playground’, a name chosen by the first children to use it on Sunday mornings for Sunday school.
The Revd Dr Catherine Shelley, Vicar of Todmorden, Walsden and Cornholme, said: “Todmorden is built on community and kindness, and it is wonderful to be able to invite children into church to learn the value of community connection and faith through age-appropriate learning, exploration, mentoring and fellowship.”
God’s Playground offers a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere where children can feel safe, valued and free to be themselves.
The Lower Room is now set up with play equipment, craft spaces, refreshments, an accessible toilet, quiet spaces and access to outside play.
The people of St Mary’s want to help children develop spiritual habits and learn to apply Biblical teachings to daily life, in a supportive setting.
‘God’s Playground’ provides a safe space for questions, reinforces learning at home and at school, and helps build positive friendships and a sense of belonging, meeting every Sunday at 11am.