Our History

Scripture Union began on 2 June 1867 in the home of Thomas Hughes in the London suburb of Islington. Some fourteen young children were there to attend a children's meeting led by Josiah Spiers.

One year later, on the 26th August 1868, in the beach-side town of Llandudno, Wales, Josiah Spiers was concerned that children should hear the message about Jesus and how much God loved them. He began by writing 'God is Love' in the sand. As children gathered around, he encouraged them to decorate the letters with shells and seaweed and told them stories about Jesus.

Scripture Union Today

Scripture Union now work in over 130 countries around the world and is still working to introduce children and young people to Jesus. Although the gospel never changes, each culture expresses it in a particular way and so the work is carried out through local people in ways which are appropriate to the country, culture and situation in which a movement is based. This includes running camps, school seminars and student groups or producing resources for Bible reading, family counselling, AIDS education, urban children and youth ministry and ministry to the handicapped.

Scripture Union is an autonomous organistion in each country, linked together by Scripture Union International. It is primarily a volunteer organisation with a small number of full-time staff training, encouraging and coordinating ministry workers around the world.

See a more detailed timeline of Scripture Union's History.