Bonner Memorial Schools was built by a Birmingham company called William Sapcote & sons who are skilled in specialised buildings. It was designed by a couple by the name of Mr Henry Bonner and Mrs Margaret Bonner. Mr Henry Bonner was the first Pastor of Hampstead Road Baptist Church in Handsworth and led the church for 15 years from January 1883.

The reason why Bonner Memorial Schools was built was that a group of people felt that children needed to be taught differently from adults, so that their individual, psychological, social and spiritual needs could be met. There were about 300 to 400 children on the school register. It was said that placing children into small groups according to their age and experience would be the best way for them to learn.

The date of completion of Bonner Memorial Schools which H.O.P.E Ministries currently owns was 31 March 1900; it was officially opened on 5 January 1901. The building was purpose built as a Sunday school and was a very important and special building in its day. The opening of the building was so grand that the celebrations was held over three days; people came from miles around to see what was described as the ‘model building’.

Mr Bonner died before the building was built so Mrs Bonner continued with the plans. With the Lord Mayor present, the opening of the building was performed by Mrs Margaret Bonner who laid the first stone. Mrs Bonner lived for 40 years after the death of her husband, her field of work was missionary and looking after the sick.

Activities
It has always been a successful and well used building. The Sunday school was largely attended, equipped with teachers, department leaders, secretaries and superintendents. Activities included:

• Sunday School
• Bible Classes
• Scouts
• Dances
• Gymnastics
• Bonner Memorial Cricket Club
• Parties
• Library
• Choirs
• Drama
• Football club
• Savings club
• Various social clubs
• Sewing

The government
As well as being multipurpose, the building was used by the government on two occasions for a period of time:

Firstly, there was a national emergency during the war where the building was used by the army for:

• Home guard drilling
• Volunteer forces
• Training sessions
• Storage
• Discipline

All the above help to defend the country.

Secondly, in the 1960’s there was a baby boom resulting in public schools being unable to cope with the large numbers of children being born. The government used community buildings to assist in providing venues so that children could still be educated. Two classrooms at Bonner Memorial School were used as a place for education for children until the baby boom ceased.

Band of Hope
The teachers of the Bonner Memorial School along with the children who attended were part of an organisation called ‘The Band of Hope’. The organisation included Christian teaching, provided activities for children and encouraged them to avoid alcohol. It was one of the greatest Victorian and Edwardian children’s movements. Millions of children belonged to Band of Hope groups which met in churches throughout the United Kingdom. Children joining the Band of Hope had an opportunity to sign a pledge. The pledge was a promise not to drink alcohol and millions of children around the world signed the pledge.