Saint Piran was a 5th century Cornish abbot and saint, possibly of Irish origin. He is the patron saint of tin-miners and generally regarded as the patron saint of Cornwall. He was reportedly executed by Theodoric or Tador, King of Cornwall in 480 AD. His feast day is popular in Cornwall.The largest St. Piran’s Day event is the march across the dunes to St. Piran’s cross which 100s of people attend, generally dressed in black, white and gold, and carry the Cornish flag. Daffodils also feature in celebrations in Truro.

Charles Harold Dodd was a Welsh New Testament scholar and influential Protestant theologian. 1912 ordained He was a Congregational minister for 3 years in Warwick before going into academia. 1915 Yates lecturer in N.T. at Oxford 1930 Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and exegesis at the Victoria University of Manchester 1935 Norris-Hulse Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge 1946 elected fellow of the British Academy 1949 emeritus at Norris-Hulse 1961 appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour He directed the work of the New English Bible translators from 1950. He wrote over 30 books and 5 Journal articles ( See Works). C.H. Dodd died in Goring-on- Thames. aged 89. He is known for promoting ‘realized eschatology ’ - the belief that Jesus’ references to the kingdom of God meant present reality rather than a future apocalypse. Source Wikipedia

Samuel was an evangelist and Presbyterian minister. He ministered in Hanover County from 1748-1759 followed by a term as the fourth President of Princeton University. He was one of the first non-Anglican preachers in Virginia and one of the earliest missionaries to slaves in the 13 Colonies. A child of deeply religious parents he was named after the prophet Samuel. Unable to afford to send their son o college he was tutored by Rev. Samuel Blair at Faggs Manor, Pennsylvania. Presbytery of New Castle licensed him to preach in 1746. In 1747 he travelled south to minister to minister to religious dissenters against the Anglican church. He eventually led 7 congregations in 5 counties despite frail health from tuberculosis. When his wife Sarah died from a miscarriage in 1747 he too believed he was near death so he threw himself wholeheartedly into his preaching ministry. He advanced the cause of religious and civil liberty. He helped found the Presbytery of Hanover and served as the first moderator. He advocated the educating of slaves , including teaching them to read. Slavery became a major focus of his ministry. You know I have shown a tender concern for your welfare, ever since I have been in the colony and you may ask my own negroes whether I treat them kindly or no, from 1755 sermon by Samuel. In 1753 he took the dangerous trip to Great Britain with Gilbert Tennent, a fellow minister, to raise money for the College of New Jersey. They stayed for 11 months. Samuel and preached 60 sermons, and together they raised £4,000 .(equivalent to $230,000 today) through church collections. In 1759 the college asked him to be their president. He became the fourth president of what is now known as Princeton University. On New Year’s Day 1761 he preached his last sermon quoting Jeremiah 28 v16. 1 will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shall die.* Almost prophetically Samuel died one month later, on 4th February, from pneumonia. Samuel accomplished much despite his relatively short life. He was one of the major contributors to the Great Awakening - a series of religious revivals which caused America to break away from the Church of England.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, has been venerated since early Christianity. According to Christian theology, Mary conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit whilst still a virgin. Both the gospels of Matthew and Luke in the New Testament, and the Quran, describe Mary as a virgin, and as being betrothed to Joseph. Over the centuries she is said to have appeared to many believers. 6 Fascinating facts found in ‘Beliefnet’ Her life was foreshadowed in the Old Testament Virgin Mother of Emmanuel Isaiah ch14 v7 2.She was a woman of great Courage and Character When the angel Gabriel came and told she was to be the mother of God’s son she showed great courage and character Luke ch 1 v38 3.Believed by many to be the greatest of all saints She was chosen and prepared by God to be the mother of his son. 4.She was Instrumental in Jesus’ Life She was there throughout his lifetime -birth to Ascension 5.The true meaning of the Immaculate Conception The Immaculate Conception deals with the conception of Mary herself, not that of her son. A Life of Witness Her life was to witness to the glory of her Son and we can’t help but admire her for that. I have included Bible references, 2 copies of the Magnificat - traditional and modern, information about Jewish betrothal and marriage plus Catholic Mariology I hope these sheets prove useful. Note Mary is mentioned by name on more occasions in the Quran than in the Bible.

John was an English Anglican priest and poet who was one of the leaders of the Oxford Movement. Keble College, Oxford was named after him. In 1806 he won a scholarship to Corpus Christi College Oxford. He excelled in his studies and achieved a first-class honours in both English and Latin in 1810. He was ordained in 1816 and became a curate first to his father at Coln St. Aldwyns and then curate in Eastleach Martin in Gloucestershire. He became a fellow at Oriel and was a tutor there between 1817-23. On the death of his mother in 1823 he returned to live with his father and two surviving sisters in Fairford, John anonymously published The Christian Year - a book of poems for Sundays and feast days of the Christian year, It appeared in 1827 . The authorship soon became known and in 1831 he was appointed to the Chair of a Poetry at Oxford. The book was very successful - by 1873 when the copyright expired 375,000 had been sold with 158 editions. ( For more of his writings read Other writings) 14 July 1833 he delivered his famous Assize Sermon on National Apostasy. It gave the first impulse to the Oxford Movement, also known as the Tractarian movement. The movement resulted in the establishment of Anglican religious orders for both men and women. ( See notes on Oxford Movement) In 1835 his father died, he married Charlotte Clarke and he became vicar at Hursley in Hampshire. Here he stayed until his death in 1866. John was a brilliant scholar, but self effacing, he was much sought after for his spiritual guidance. Sources Wikipedia The Hodder & Stoughton Book of Famous Christians

St David is the patron saint of Wales. I have included a page from Wikipedia. There is an information sheet about St. David followed by two large font sheets containing basic information .There are two pieces of gap work (differentiated), a crossword which needs a picture answer, a word search, information about the Welsh flag and the Union Jack, plus diary ideas with a blank for their diary. These sheets should keep the children interested on St. David’s day - a mixture of different things to do. The extra two pages are the b/w front and back cover for the whole series Four Wise Men. for them to colour.

Saint Clare was an Italian saint and one of the first followers of St. Francis of Assisi. He inspired her to form the Order of Poor Ladies - a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition. Aged 12 her parents wanted her to marry a young wealthy man. She protested and sought the help of Francis. On 20th March 1212 she had her hair cut short and had her rich gown replaced by a plain robe. Cutting her hair was a symbolic act showing she was no longer bound by the laws of man or society but rather she followed the will of God, She was then placed with Benedictine nuns in San Paula, near Bastia. Her parents and Monaldo- Clare’s uncle and head of the family, did not accept willingly what had happened. Catarina, her sister, who changed her name to Agnes, joined her. - this caused a tremendous uproar. They finally relented when Clare threw aside her veil to reveal her cropped hair that they left her in peace. ( For more detail read* Life in the convent*) The sisters remained with the Benedictines until a small dwelling was built next to the church of San Damiano. Their lives consisted of manual labour and prayer. The nuns were barefoot, slept on the ground, ate no meat and observed almost complete silence.town of Assisi were attacked For a short time the order was directed by Francis. In 1216 Clare reluctantly accepted the role of abbess at San Damiano. Clare was a shy person and did not like giving orders and referred to herself as a mother, handmaid or servant rather than an abbess, She took care of Francis during his final illness (he died in1226). 1240/1 the monastery at San Damiano and the town of Assisi attacked and successfully defended as Clare prayed to Christ, present in the Blessed Sacrament. Clare wrote the rules for Rule of Life which meant they followed a rule of strict poverty. This was the first set of monastic guidelines written by a woman. In her later years she had a long period of poor health. She died on11th August 1253 at the age of 59, one day having her Rule approved by Pope Innocent 1V. Her last words, to herself, are reported to be Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for He who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be You, O God, for having created me. After her death the order was renamed the Order of Saint Clare. (Read Legacy) Source Wikipedia

Thomas was a Scottish minister, professor of theology, political economist, and a leader of both the Free Church of Scotland and the Church of England. He has been called* Scotland’s greatest 19th century churchman*. Aged 11 he attended the University of St. Andrews studying mathematics. January 1799 he was licensed as a preacher. May, 1803, following further courses of lectures, he was ordained as minister of Kilmany and acted as assistant to the professor of mathematics at St. Andrews. His mathematics lectures roused enthusiasm but were discontinued by the authorities.so he opened mathematical classes of his own which attracted many students. Also gave lectures on Chemistry. and administered his parish. 1805 unsuccessful in application for professorship in mathematics at University of Edinburgh. 1815 became minister of the Tron church in Glasgow. His reputation as preacher in Glasgow spread through out the UK. Read paragraph on Parochial Work. 1823 he accepted the chair of moral philosophy at the University of St. Andrews. 1828 he was transferred to the chair of Theology at the University of Edinburgh. 1834 he became leader and chairman of the evangelical section of the Scottish Church in the General Assembly which stood for ‘non-intrusionism’ ( definition - no minister should be intruded into any parish contrary to the will of the congregation) Also elected fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 1835-41 he served as Vice-president f the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 1840 unsuccessfully applied for chair of Divinity at the University of Glasgow. Thomas made a number of appeals as leader and by 1841 , 7 years later when he resigned as convener, £300, 000 had been contributed and 220 new churches built. 1844 he announced a church extension campaign for new building. 1846 became first principal of the Divinity Hall of the Free Church of Scotland. On Friday,28th May 1847 he returned to his house at Church Hill. On the Saturday he prepared a report and continued in his usual health and spirits and retired to rest. He died on the Sunday. He was discovered lying dead in bed. His academic years resulted in a prolific literature of various kinds: his writings filled more than 30 volumes. The Thomas Chalmers Centre in Kirkliston is named after him. Thomas Chalmers has been correctly called Scotland’s greatest nineteenth century churchman. He was also an outstanding mathematician. Source Wikipedia

Mary Slessor was a Christian missionary in Nigeria. She started life, at 11, as a 'half timer' - school for six hours/ working for six hours for the Baxter Brother's Mill with her mother and father to become the 'white queen of Okoyong' in Nigeria. When she died in 1915 she was given a state funeral in Nigeria in recognition of her life time given to helping others. She is an inspiration for any girl, or boy, who is thinking becoming a missionary. We celebrated the centenary of her death two years ago and there is a lot of material to find on the internet about her.

St. Stephen is the forgotten saint! In the UK we think of it as Boxing Day - a National Bank Holiday. St.Stephen was the first Christian martyr. The twelve disciples of Jesus asked the believers in Jesus Christ to select seven deacons. The seven were given the task of caring for the poor.Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, who probably a Hellenistic Jew - born in Greece, was one of the chosen seven. Stephen, brimming with God’s grace and energy, was doing wonderful things until, out of jealousy, he was falsely accused of blaspheme. Blaspheme is when a person shows contempt or disrespect for God. He was taken in front of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Council. He was given the opportunity to speak. He told them a few home truths - they had not listened to the prophets who they persecuted- they were responsible for the death of Jesus. They were outraged at what he said. He finished by saying," Oh! I see heaven wide open and the Son of Man standing at God’s side" To them that was blaspheme - hey took him outside and stoned him I have Scripture readings, Wikipedia, the Spruce -for Boxing day. There is also a word search with answers.

St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, nine other countries, plus a number of different groups- from fishermen to farmworkers. He was one of Christ's original disciples so I have included Biblical references to him. There is a brief biography with a two gap sheets to fill in. There is also a crossword, a word search and 'How many words can you find in Andrew? ' There is a sheet about the history of the St. Andrew flag and the Union Jack plus some ideas for a Diary- this comes with a clipart sheet for final copy. I hope children find the work interesting

Saint Dunstan was an English bishop. e was successively Abbott of Glastonbury Abbey, Bishop of Worcester, Bishop of London and Archbishop of Canterbury, later canonised. His work restored monastic life in England and reformed the English church. He was both an artist and a scribe and was skilled in making pictures and forming letters as were other clergy of his age who reached senior rank. He served as an important minister of state, including ‘prime minister’, to several English kings in the 10th century- Kings AEthelstan, Edmund, Eadred, Eadwig, Edgar. Edward and . AEthelred the Unready. He officiated at the coronation of King Edgar. He was the most popular saint in England for nearly 2 centuries having gained fame for the many stories of his greatness. He lived to the age of 79. His final word are reported to be He hath made the remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord: he hath given food to them that fear him. Source Wikipedia

John was a British Baptist Nonconformist minister and politician who became famous as the advocate of passive resistance to the Education Act of 1902. In 1858 he was called to the Praed Street chapel in Paddington, London. Whilst there he went to the university of London gaining 4 degrees (BA, BS, MA and BL 1859-66) At the Praed Street chapel he gradually obtained a large following and in 1877 Westbourne Park was opened. He became a preacher , writer, propagandist and an ardent Liberal politician, he became a power in the Nonconformist body He held a number of important Nonconformist roles 1879 president of the London Baptist Association 1888 & 1899 president of the Baptist 1898 president of the National Council of Evangelical Churches 1899 became a prominent campaigner against the Boer War president of the Stop the War Committee. 1902 Education Act. John was the chief leader of the passive resistant movement. 1906 January - had a share in the defeat of the Unionist Government Efforts now directed to getting a new act which should be nondenominational. In 1883 rewarded an honorary DD by Bates College, USA, and then known as Dr Clifford

Martin was an eminent second generation German, Evangelical Lutheran, Christian theologian, and a protestant reformer, churchman and confessor. He studied under Martin Luther at the University of Wittenberg , Germany. After Luther death (1546) he transfered to the University of Konigsberg (1547-8). A plague caused him to move swiftly to Saafeld. Returned to Konigsberg (1550) to be employed by Albert, Duke of Prussia as the the court librarian.He now applied himself to theological studies with unrestricted access to what was considered one of the finest libraries in Europe. 1553 returned to Wittenberg where he joined the University faculty.in 1554. 1554 ordained and became co-adjutor of Joachim Morlin. 1567 took over as ecclesiastical superintendent when Morlin resigned. 1575/6 helped establish University of Helmstedt. 1577 Formula of Concord - one of the primary authors 1580 Book of Concord:Confessions of the Evangegelical Lutheran Church instrumental in publication ? Examination of the Council of Trent and On the Two natures of Christ 1586 held post for 19 years, until he died. His works demonstrate his ability as a biblical, doctrinal and historical theologian in the orthodox Lutheran tradition. Martin died in Braunschweig aged 65. In the Evangelical Lutheran tradition he is known as Alter Martinus - the Second Martin. Source Wikipedia

William was a Christian minister serving a congregation in Salford, England. In 1800 he established a new congregation in Salford and built the chapel, Christ Church, at his own expense .He founded the Bible Christian Church in 1809. Followers were known as Cowherdites. He was one of the philosophical forerunners of the vegetarian Society founded in 1847. His early ideas and insights into the abstinence from eating meat, provided the basis for early ideas about vegetarianism. On 18th of January 1809 he asked his congregation, during his sermon, to refrain from eating meat. He is credited with being the main figure advocating the theory of vegetarianism. One of the distinct feature of the Bible Christians was a belief in a meat-free ‘vegetable diet’, known today as ovo-lacto vegetarianism, as a form of temperance.

Robert was an English philanthropist and Anglican layman. He was a pioneer of the Sunday School movement although he did not start the first Sunday School. The original schedule for schools -as written by Robert was The children were to come after ten in the morning, and stay till twelve; they were then to go home and return at one; and after reading a lesson, they were to be conducted to church. After church, they were to be employed repeating the catechism till after five, and then dismissed with an injunction to go home without making a noise. He inherited a publishing business from his father and in 1757 he became proprietor of the Gloucester Journal. In 1758 he moved the business to Robert Raikes’ House. He was interested in prison reform, specifically with the conditions in Gloucester gaol and saw that vice would be better prevented than cured. He saw schooling as the best intervention. The movement began in July 1780 in the home of Mrs Meredith and with a school for boys in the slums. The best available time was Sunday- the boys were working 6 days a week in the factories. The teachers were lay people. The text book was the Bible. Later girls also attended. He used his newspaper to publicise the schools and bore most of the cost himself in the early years. Despite controversy and disputes, in the early years, Sunday Schools -some called the schools* Raikes’Ragged School* grew at a phenomenal rate in Great Britain. 1788 - 300,000 children 1831 - `.1,250,000 1910 - 5,500,000 These schools preceded the first state funding schools for the general public. They are seen as the forerunners of the currwnt English school system The money of phianthropist Robert Raikes was not wasted.

St. Mungo is the patron saint of Glasgow. His proper name is Saint Kentigern but he is is better known by his nickname. Saint Serf, who became his foster father, is responsible for the name of Mungo. Mungo means ‘my dear one’. His mother was a princess: his father became a king!

Elizabeth Fry was a preacher and reformer. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Gurney and she was born in Norwich into a wealthy Quaker family. She became a member of Plain Friends - a strict religious group who dressed modestly and refrained from singing and dancing. William Savery inspired her to devote her life to helping the needy. Elizabeth Gurney met Joseph Fry in 1799 and married him in 1800. They went to live in his family home in Plashed - now East Ham. In 1811 Elizabeth was acknowledged as a Quaker minister. It was an unpaid post among Friends that nevertheless frequently entailed travelling to serve other meetings. her ministry, which was greatly appreciated on account of her musical voice. She delighted to preach on the theme of the availability of the grace of God for all. When Elizabeth visited Newgate prison in 1813 she found women and children crammed 30 to a cell. There they cooked, washed and slept. To help them she supplied clothes, established a school, chapel and matron. In 1817 Elizabeth, along with 11 other Quakers, established the Association for the Improvement of the Female Prisoners in Newgate. Her brother in law, MP Thomas Fowell-Buxton, raised the issue in Parliament… Elizabeth gave evidence to the Commons committee on prisons. She advocated treating prisoners like human beings. Some MPs saw her as a dangerous radical but the new Home Secretary, Sir Robert peel, was supportive. The 1823 Goals Act was the first step. In a book published in1827 she set down many of her conclusions on penal policy, stating foe example her opposition to capital punishment. Elizabeth became recognised as a well-known , respected figure, consulted by many important men for her professional opinion. In 1824 she founded the Brighton District Visiting Society. In 1840 she created a nursing school at Guy’s hospital. She did not win all the battles. She declared in 1948 the new Pentonville prison, with its dark cells, *should never exist in a Christian and civilized country. * Elizabeth Fry created a lasting improvements for Britain and changed the status of women in society. I found some Bite Size Key stage I pictures which might prove useful for primary work. Sources *Great Leaders of the Christian Church * edited by John D. Woodbridge contribution from David W. Bebbington wikipedia The great British Community BBc Bitesize

William was an English official on board the Mayflower in 1620 He was probably born in Scrooby, Nottinghamshire. He studied briefly at Peterhouse, Cambridge before entering the service of William Davison , ambassador to the Netherlands, in1584. He became a Puritan before moving illegally from England to Holland - the departure was a complex matter. They were arrested in 1607 but in 1608 they were successful leaving from the Humber estuary. For the first year they lived in Amsterdam, Holland. After controversy they moved to Leiden. He was first an assistant and later an elder to Pastor John Robinson. He printed and published Puritan religious books and taught English to university students. When the Speedwell sailed to England he was the highest ranked layman of the congregation and was their designated elder for the Plymouth colony. He was also the only pilgrim with political and diplomatic experience. The Mayflower departed Plymouth in England in September 1620. The 100 foot vessel carried 102 passengers and a crew 30/40 in cramped conditions. During the voyage the ship was buffeted by strong winds. After being blown off course by gales it landed first at Cape Cod. It continued on to an area near present day Plymouth, Massachsetts and landed on 21st December 1620. Within months half the passengers had died due to the cold, harsh New England winter. William served as the senior elder and religious leader of the colony until 1629 when pastor Ralph Smith arrived. He continued to preach irregularly until his death on 10th April 1644. 4 of the outer islands now bear his name - Great, Little, Middle and Outer Brewster. Source Wikipedia

William was a C. of E. priest. He was the author of the trilogy The Life, the Walk and the Triumph o f Faith which was highly thought of by evangelicals. In 1736 he was ordained a deacon: in 1738 he was ordained a priest. In 1741 he was appointed chaplain to the Lord Mayor of London, Daniel Lambert which gave him the opportunity to preach in St. Paul’ s Cathedral. In about 1748 he underwent an evangelical conversion and he became a lecturer. This gave him the opportunity to preach evangelical doctrine to large crowds despite the opposition of the church hierarchy. In 1750 he was appointed assistant morning preacher at St. George’s Hanover Square in the West End of London. In 1751 he accepted, for a short time, the professorship of Gresham Professor of Astronomy . His biographer, William Bromley Cadogan, said in this role William attempted to prove that God was best acquainted with his own works and had given the best account of them in his own words. In 1766 following a dispute over his election he became Rector of St. Andrew by the Wardrobe. Nearly 30 years later, 26th July 1795, he was buried in his church. He was a notable Hebrew scholar and between 1747-9 he published a volume revision of Mario di Calasio’s Hebrew dictionary and concordance.