A Testimony Carved from Stone: The Birthplace of Social Reform in London

Unveiled in 1880, the statue of Robert Raikes stands in London's Victoria Embankment, specifically in Victoria Embankment Gardens, where it commemorates a significant milestone in British history - the centenary of the opening of the first Sunday school. The statue, sculpted by Thomas Brock, was actually built 100 years earlier, in 1780, as per the inscription 'ROBERT RAIKES / FOUNDER OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS / 1780' on the plinth. The statue remains an enduring symbol of a vital phase in the nation's history, where a simple idea took the first step in uplifting communities across the country. In 1958, this historical landmark was designated a Grade II-listed building by English Heritage, securing its place as an important relic of the past.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons