Guinness World Records has recognised an 87-year-old woman in Liverpool as “the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher”.
Pam Knowles begun helping at St Anne’s Church in Aigburth with its Sunday school in 1951 at the age of 13.
In addition to the Guinness World Records recognition, this Christmas marks another milestone for Pam - taking part in her 75th Christmas nativity.
Seven decades, 16 prime ministers and one monarch later, she’s still there and says she has never lost her passion for teaching the next generation of Christians.
Speaking to the Church of England, Pam talked of the importance of St Anne’s Church in her life, saying she had been baptised, confirmed and married there. She also celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary with her late husband there.
“My calling has and always will be to St Anne’s. I just love the church!”
Pam was first approached to help at the church by its superintendent. After passing a test set by the Diocese of Liverpool, she was permitted to run a children’s group.
Reflecting on her lifetime of experience as a Sunday school teacher, Pam noted that the basic format hadn’t changed and that timeless stories like the birth of Jesus, Jonah and the whale and the garden of Eden remain favourites.
“I think little children can relate to these stories and they often bring their own innocent take on the Bible, which is just wonderful.”
She added, “I’ve noticed children aren’t quite so well behaved as they used to be – they run around a bit more now, I guess it’s a bit more relaxed.”
Having ministered to children for so long, many of Pam’s charges now have families of their own.
“It doesn’t feel like I’ve been doing this for 74 years, some days I feel like I’m only just starting, as there’s new children all the time. It was great to be recognised by the Guinness Book of Records – my son has hung the certificate near the front door in the hall for visitors to see, he’s very proud!
“At the moment, I don’t intend to stop doing this. I still have a lot of energy and I’m just as enthusiastic about it now as when I started!”
