Meeting House development

Re-opening Event 10th May 2024 – Press Release

Quakers re-open historic meeting house in the heart of Lewes.

Lewes Quaker Meeting House, on Friars Walk, officially re-opened its doors 10th May, after an 18 month project to make the building both accessible and sustainable.

This historic listed building has been adapted by architect Joanna Saady of Ecotecture and Valley Builders to create a new step-free accessible entrance. A light and spacious foyer leads along the side of the building to the main meeting room and a cosy room suitable for small groups or 1:1 sessions. The community room, kitchen and library have also been modernised and are accessible for group use.

’We’re delighted to once again play an important role in the life of the community here in Lewes,” said John Ashcroft. “This meeting house first opened in 1784 and since then we have welcomed generations of people to share this culturally important space. We can now support the community with an accessible meeting house that offers rooms for hire as well as providing a warm, sustainable living space for a small family in the flat upstairs.”

The meeting house has been refurbished with sustainability in mind, with internal insulation making the upstairs flat warmer and easier to heat and heat pumps providing warmth for the whole building.

“It is so important that Lewes, a historic town with lots of cobbles and old buildings, has another accessible building for the community. We’re delighted the building has been preserved and future-proofed for all the residents of Lewes to use and enjoy.”

Quakers are known for their work for peace and climate justice and have been meeting in Lewes since 1655. Friends (Quakers) continue to meet in Lewes on Sunday mornings at 10.30am and on Wednesdays at 12.30pm. All are welcome, including families and children.

January 2024 – Building Work at the Meeting House has been completed!

Changes made:

  • Safer step-free access from Styles Way, with a new front gate.
  • An extension at the back, providing a welcoming entrance foyer and corridor with level access to all rooms.
  • Essential repairs to the historic listed building, including damp-proofing.
  • The building has been made more energy efficient by adding sustainable heating and soundproofing.
  • In addition to our existing Meeting Room and Community Room, two new small rooms have been added, ideal for counselling or working away from home. All are available to hire by Friends and local community groups, organisations and individuals.
  • Improvements to the garden, including the planting of two new trees.

Building work began on 7th November 2022 and was completed in January 2024.

The background: 

Lewes Quakers first met in 1655 and the Meeting House was erected in 1784.  There have been alterations to the building over the centuries, but recently major repairs and improvements were necessary, both to preserve our heritage and to address our concerns for sustainability, accessibility and community.

There are many original features in the Meeting House, including wood panels and listed benches. Rot had been found in the balcony, so it had been closed for safety reasons. In addition to Meetings for Worship, the building is used by many people in the local community, including groups for meditation and for adult learning, groups that support parents, refugees, carers and more. However, the steps and tight corners made access difficult for some.  We have now made our building more inclusive and hospitable, and we would like to work more effectively with local groups on our Quaker concerns, including social change and climate justice.

If you would like to contribute to the maintenance and upkeep of the Meeting House, your contribution would be gratefully received by Sussex East Area Quaker Meeting (Registered Charity 1173819). Please see details below for ways to contribute:

By cheque payable to Sussex East Area Quaker Meeting, posted to The Treasurer, Friends Meeting House, Friars Walk, Lewes BN7 2LE.

By BACS transfer to the SEAQM account with your name in the reference field:

Account 21905339 Sort code: 16-58-10

Visit the “Just Giving” page via this link: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/LewesMHand click on the DONATE button.

If you are eligible to Gift Aid your donation, that would be very helpful. A copy of the Gift Aid form can be found below, for you to print, fill out and return to the Treasurer at the address listed above.

Gift aid declaration form (click on the highlighted text to open document)

Thank you so much, Friends.