Fading faith: decline of Sunday schools in Swiss churches

"Save Sunday schools", was a demand parishes were making decades ago. However, now, even churches no longer want Sunday schools. "Sunday schools are no longer that of grandparents time," says a video from the Reformed parish of Bözberg-Möhntal in canton Aargau. "It's fun!" They paint, do crafts and sing. Bible stories are told and presented in a way that is suitable for children. Still, such church organised programmes have become very rare. In canton Aargau, traditional Sunday schools are still offered in four churches, says religious education teacher Monika Thut from the Reformed Church of Aargau: "These Sunday schools are located in small villages with a strong Protestant character, a little 'off the beaten track'. In other words, in places where the church is still the centre of a community." The concept of Sunday school dates back to the 18th century. Reformed Sunday schools were introduced in canton Aargau in 1905. While the parents attended church services, the children ...