Though it might not be as striking as its near neighbour on Castle Hill, when it comes to the oldest places of worship in Lancaster, the Friends Meeting House is second only to Lancaster Priory Church.
This year, this modest building is 300 years old.

But Lancaster's Quaker history goes back even further to when founding father George Fox first visited the area in 1652.

The Meeting House's history and that of Lancaster Priory – then St Mary's – were intertwined from those early beginnings.

It was at St Mary's that an outburst from Fox led him to be hauled from the church and stoned along the street.

Fox took refuge at the home of John Lawson in St Leonardgate who became one of the area's founding Friends.

To be a Friend or Quaker at that time was to show great courage as they were often persecuted.

Justices concerned that Fox would gain a foothold in Lancaster, prosecuted him for blasphemy in 1652 but when he appeared at the assizes, the charge was quashed.

However, during the first five years of Charles II's reign, many Friends, including Fox, were imprisoned at Lancaster Castle.

Lancaster Friends were further persecuted by town mayor Henry Porter whose efforts were frustrated. As Quakers didn't use candles, chalices, mass books or vestments there were no items to seize. There was no priest or minister to be accused and even barring the Meeting House to Friends didn't deter their resolve to worship. They just met in their own homes instead.

And despite parliamentary acts forbidding worship meetings unless they used the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, the Friends disobeyed and built Meeting Houses including Lancaster's first in 1677.

Then, as now, the Meeting House was in Meeting House Lane though the thoroughfare didn't take that name until 1719.

Earlier it was known as Kiln Lane and unlike today when it is one of the city centre's busiest roads, it was then a quiet country lane leading to fields.

But the Friends were happy to be out on a limb as it removed them from constant observation by the authorities and provided a suitable atmosphere for worship.

The Quaker community continued to develop and Lancaster hosted the general meeting for the four northern counties. It soon outgrew its home and by 1708, larger premises were required. Friend and respected Lancaster businessman, William Stout wrote:
"In the spring of 1708, our meeting house not being capable to entertain the general meeting for the four northern counties, it was resolved to pull it down and build it nigh double to what it was. We got it finished in about six months with floor, seats, galleries and ceiling to the general satisfaction of our friends in the county and others. The whole charge was £180 which was thought moderate."

Quaker Meeting Houses are often described as 'buildings of endearing simplicity.'

All that's needed for silent worship is seating. There is often unpolished wooden panelling around the walls with little or no ornamentation.

Traditional Friends worship involves no hymns, sermons or communion so pulpits or communion tables aren't required.

Most Meeting Houses were either built or had to acquire a second room to allow larger or simultaneous meetings since women Friends usually had separate business meetings from men.

Lancaster's 1708 building had two rooms. The smaller section – now part of the William Stout Room – was used for regular 'first day' worship and the larger section for meetings such as the annual northern counties meeting.

Within 10 years, there was an era of growing religious toleration and the authorities worked with the Friends to improve the area around the Meeting House.

The Friends wanted their Meeting House to be a credit to Lancaster so the more architecturally designed features such as the Venetian window and elegant porch were added. These features are often absent from the more northern rural meeting houses.

Several of the early Lancaster Friends were active in the community and became important in the city's history.

Many were prosperous businessmen and this is reflected in the architecture of the Meeting House which is said to be a fine example of 18th Century non-conformist architecture.

Friends principles had a wide appeal in the north especially to independent farmers, merchants and artisans but their peculiarities in dress and speech marked them out. Many of their practices, such as refusing to doff their caps, clashed with traditional popular culture.

By 1790, Lancaster Meeting House acquired the form it holds now and became an important part of an increasingly prosperous and elegant town. Extensions and frequent rebuilding were carried out because of growing numbers of members and Lancaster's important position as a Quaker administrative centre.

From 1869-74, minor alterations were made to the structure of the Meeting House prompted by the needs of the school which was based in the smaller room of the building.

In 1910, additional rooms at the back were used as the school. Friends relinquished the management of the school in 1969. It continued in the same premises under a new committee but finally closed in 1989 when Friends regained possession of the whole school premises.

Most of the school buildings in the yard behind the Meeting House were taken down but one substantial block was retained and improved to enable the meeting to widen its service to the community.

The Friends also branched out to Fenton Street where they bought a site in 1902 which became the Friends Hall and was used initially for adult school work and later for social functions. It was sold in 1969 and is now a mosque.

* Much of the information in this article can be found in A History of the Friends Meeting House Lancaster by Ruth Dove and Helen Segebarth.