Help make Wincobank Old School House a warm Community Hub

Wincobank Old School House (Friends of Zion Graveyard)

Friends of Zion Graveyard are raising funds to complete the renovation of the historic Old School House, next to Wincobank Chapel. They want it to become a Community Hub and Heritage Centre for Wincobank.

In 1850 anti-slaver campaigner Mary Ann Rawson raised funds by public subscription to build the School House. Her aim was to attract a good teacher to the village school she had founded in 1841. She left the grounds and buildings in trust to be used for the benefit of the neighbourhood.

The Friends want to honour this legacy, and the Old School House is now being renovated to become a community hub and heritage centre. People will be able to drop in, join activities and find out about the unique history of the area, including Zion Graveyard and the now demolished Zion Congregational Church, as well as Wincobank Hillfort and Wincobank Hall. The 1851 stone house is having a new roof, windows, access ramp and disabled facilities, and a complete internal refit. It will be the base and registered address for FoZGA. The Friends also hope to add a blue plaque to celebrate the memory of Mary Ann Rawson, who is buried in Zion Graveyard.

The Working Group for this project is composed of Chapel trustees, members of Friends of Zion Graveyard, Friends of Wincobank Hill, and local residents. They have raised over £120,000 with the help of many generous local and national charities and Sheffield City Council. However, due to rising costs and unforeseen issues they urgently need additional funding. This will get the building open as a warm hub this winter.

The Old School House will be the start of a new chapter for Wincobank. With the adjacent Grade 2 Listed chapel it will become a valuable educational resource. Please help by making a contribution if you can. You can also help by sharing this link with your friends.