Feeling the presence: Terri Hall on Alton Meeting

‘Quakers were meeting in Alton before the Declaration of Indulgence allowed it.’

The date 1672 is highlighted in dark bricks on the wall outside. This makes Alton Meeting House just the second in the country to be purpose built by Quakers. The burial ground, which predates the Meeting House, is still open for burials and there are some early gravestones still visible.

Quakers were Meeting in Alton before the Declaration of Indulgence allowed nonconformists to legally meet: births have been recorded since 1658 and the first marriage was 1663. At this time Quakers were Meeting outside or in each other’s houses, risking hefty fines. Imprisonment and death was a real risk: two Quakers from Alton died from their imprisonment.

The Meeting House, built with contributions from sixty-seven local Quakers, cost £204. It has been in almost continuous use as a Meeting House since. By 1933 it was in a bad state of repair, but features such as the wooden screens to the gallery, and the elders’ bench, still remained. The Meeting House has now been upgraded to Grade II* listed status.

Alton Quakers played an important role in the development of Quakerism in South Central England, probably because they had their own Meeting house. Quaker families were prominent here and family names that resonate within the Alton community include: the Warings (involved in the cloth industry); the Crowleys (a prominent brewing family); and Joan Sly, a widow who ran the Crown Inn, and was a recognised peacemaker. When she died at ninety her funeral ‘was attended by a great many Friends and Neighbours’.

Also well-known is the Curtis family. Most famous among them is William Curtis who founded the London Botanical Garden and started The Botanical Magazine. When Jane Austen lived nearby another William Curtis was apothecary to her. Yet another William Curtis helped to start the Alton Mechanics Institute, still going strong as The Curtis Museum.

Closer to the present day, George and Phyllis Mann are recognised as working tirelessly for peace. They were regular supporters to Greenham Common. In 2022 we are again holding peace vigils for Ukraine.

Before the pandemic the Meeting House was used by various local groups including a choir and a meditation group. Alton Counselling Service has been here for thirty years, an opportunity for valuable service to the Alton community and an opportunity for outreach.

In this 350th year we are celebrating Quaker values while bitterly aware of another major conflict in Europe. We affirm again that, in tune with Advices & queries 31, we are called to live ‘in the virtue of that life and power that takes away the occasion of all wars.’ Thank you to all those Alton Quakers who quietly got on with their lives but set us such an example; their presence is still felt.

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