My Native Place

Loshult parish in Osby municipality, North of Scania

Loshults parish

When I was about one year old, my family moved to the actual church village of Loshult, but this section is not about me—it’s about Loshult. This is the orginasion today.

Now, one can't say that Loshult is known because I was born there, but rather for a number of other events, among them: it was near Loshult's church that Karl XI's war treasury was stolen in the summer of 1676. Now that I’ve mentioned the church, one mustn't forget Loshulta Thursday. Loshult is also known for a few fires, the most famous being the great Loshult fire of 1921. I will return to these events later in this story.

Loshult School / Parish Hall

The end of the School 1969

In the summer of 1969, I finished sixth grade in primary school. 

That year's graduation was unlike others, because the school in Loshult was being shut down. The period before graduation was also unique—we students were involved in preparing the auction of the school's furnishings. I can't remember who decided it, but we were allowed to keep our desks and chairs, and choose books and similar items from the school's supply. 

I personally picked out a few books and posters, which I still have today—56 years later—as well as my old desk and chair.

Loshult Parish Hall in 2002

The building that once served as the school in Loshult—built in 1888 just west of the church on Klockebacken—has since been transformed into the parish hall. In 2002, it continued to be an important gathering place for community events, church functions, and local meetings, preserving its role at the heart of village life.

School History

The first school in Loshult was built in 1799, but the parish's school activities date back even earlier.

In autumn 1683, teaching began using Swedish books. The parish priest was responsible for teaching, though often the sexton carried it out with the bishop's permission.

Girls were also summoned to the same school as boys and received an ABC book, a catechism, and a hymn book. It wasn't easy for those who skipped school—they could be fined or placed in the “pillory” in front of the church entrance.

On May 14, 1687, a report from the dean Nicolaus Erman to the cathedral chapter stated that in Loshult, 4 people could write and read, 53 could read from a book, and 116 could recite religious texts by heart. Petrus Thomeus, dean of Göinge (1710–21), reported in 1711 that both old and young in Loshult could read and sing well.

Teachers and Students in the 1700s

There were two types of teachers:

• The informator, usually a university student hired by noble families and wealthy farmers.

• Itinerant teachers who traveled from village to village teaching children. They stayed for one to two weeks in each place.

Student discipline was harsh. Reports from Växjö in the 1760s describe punishments like:

• “Stut”: three strikes with the thick end of a birch rod.

• “Double stut”: five strikes.

• “Wet stut”: three strikes with the thin end on bare skin.

• “Back strike”: one strike over the shoulder with the rod’s soft end down the back.

• “Gloves”: paired strikes on the hand with the thin end of the rod.

School and Poorhouse in Loshult

In 1838, it was discussed whether a new, suitable school building should be constructed. The classroom was to be spacious enough for parish meetings and other gatherings, and include a room for the elderly poor who could no longer beg door-to-door.

On Advent Sunday in 1840, the new school and poorhouse was completed.

Public School Ordinance of 1842

The first ordinance required each parish to establish at least one public school with a certified teacher. A school board was created, chaired by the vicar or another appointed clergyman, with other members elected.

On December 22, 1850, Loshult's first school regulations were established, officially confirmed by the cathedral chapter on June 9, 1852.The first ordinance required each parish to establish at least one public school with a certified teacher. A school board was created, chaired by the vicar or another appointed clergyman, with other members elected.

On December 22, 1850, Loshult's first school regulations were established, officially confirmed by the cathedral chapter on June 9, 1852.

Timeline of Schools in Loshult Parish

• 📘 1799 – The first school in Loshult was built

• 🏠 1840 – New schoolhouse and poorhouse were completed

• 🍂 October 24, 1878 – Stockhult School opened

• 🌲 1880 – Schools were founded in Norra Hulta and Lilla Loshult

• 🛎️ December 21, 1888 – A new Loshult School was completed on Klockebacken, just west of the church (now the parish hall)

• 🐓 July 1921 – Hökens School was inspected

• 📐 1964 – The new “pavilion school” in Stockhult was put into use

Sources

Source: A Book about Loshult by Artur Strid (Norra Skåne's Civil Printing House, Hässleholm, 1973) only on Swedish