Statement of significance
Grade II listed Georgian Meeting House, in the heart of the conservation area of Charlbury and with an important social and historical significance.
Architectural interest
Datestone 1779
The first meeting house on this site was built in 1681, on land given by Thomas Gilkes of Sibford. By 1689 it also had a burial ground. The meeting house was rebuilt as a larger building in 1779 and it is said that the old stone was re-used (a date plaque with 1779 is on the west facing side of the building). An extension was built in c 1860 and alterations were made in 1990. The slate roof is hipped and the windows have round headed brick surrounds. The walls along the south, west, and east sides of the plot are dry stone walling. The meeting house is a typical example of a Georgian Meeting House design.
Historical Development
Quakerism was brought to Charlbury in 1654 by Anne Downer. The Charlbury Quakers were fortunate to have the patronage of the Allbright, Spendlove and Sessions families. They were strong supporters of social reform and made significant contributions to the welfare of the people of the town. Between the two world wars the number of attendees diminished and the meeting was closed in the 1920s but was used as a preparatory school till 1969. The premises were let to an architect until 1987 when the meeting resumed.
Context and Setting
The Meeting House is in the heart of the conservation area of Charlbury on Market Street which runs in a north westerly direction. The site lies adjacent to the street, with its long axis following the road and the building placed c 7.3 m away from the road. The entire site is elevated some five feet above road level. The whole plot is approx 450 m square with the garden being approx 285 m square. The entrance at road level is through a substantial gate of wrought iron (probably Victorian) with an enamel plaque saying “You are welcome to enjoy our quiet garden”. A concrete path rises directly to the south easterly end of the building and then turns north to the present entrance.
The Garden and the burial ground
This garden is both a quiet ornamental space, and a burial ground. It is mostly laid to grass but with one long border stretching from the south-east to north-west following the street. It is planted with shrubs, including sedum, rosemary and geranium. Eighteen of the twenty-five gravestones are in two rows running parallel in front of the building with others relocated against the outer walls of the garden. The date range of the headstones is 1805 – 2022. Amongst these are seventeen members of the Allbright and Spendlove families. The garden continues to be used for cremated remains.
The north end of the garden presents a social area with a bench and chairs located adjacent to the 20 year old Cox’s apple tree and a crab apple. The recess at the north end of the building is bounded by a dry stone wall with a couple of large hazel bushes.
The Meeting House is easily accessible and modernised with kitchen and toilet facilities. Apart from Quaker Meetings it is used by a wider community and is of substantial benefit to the town.
The garden presents a quiet space in a beautiful area of Charlbury.
Address
Market Street, Charlbury, Chipping Norton OX7 3PH
District Council
West Oxfordshire
Grid Ref
SP 35671 19596
Sources of Information
Online
Heritage Quakers
https://heritage.quaker.org.uk/files/Charlbury LM.pdf
Historic England
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1053243?section=official-list-entry
Descendants of William Allbright
http://www.pennyghael.org.uk/AlbrightCharlbury.pdf (descendants of Allbirght family)
Find a Grave
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2782884/memorial-search?cemeteryName=Friends+Meeting+House&page=1#sr-257656842
All online sources accessed September 2024
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to the Friends of Charlbury Meeting House for their assistance in answering questions, queries and Anna Gillespie for the photos.
