The Town Mayor attended the unveiling of the Blue Plaque at the Quaker Meeting House in Church Street on Friday 26th July 2024.
Town Mayor, Annette Eyre said: “It was a great honour attending the celebration of the blue plaque unveiling at the Quaker Meeting House in Church Street. The plaque will now be part of the long history of the Meeting House.
During my visit I was informed that the building had not significantly changed over the last 350 years. It continues to welcome people in reflecting on their past, present and future which we all hope continues for many more years”.
Built in 1672, Alton Meeting House is the second oldest purpose-built Quaker Meeting House still in use and represents Hampshire Quakers’ desire to build a meeting house in the face of persecution. At that time, Alton was an important centre for the development of Quakerism in the South of England. The Meeting House was built on land belonging to local Quakers Roger and Ann Gates and included the burial ground. It was paid for by sixty-seven local Quakers at a cost of £204. A cottage was part of the original building, and its first occupant, Thomas Bullock, ‘weeded and kept the burial place in order’. For more information about the Alton Quaker House visit their website.
Do you want to know about more Blue Plaques in Alton? Visit our dedicated webpage for more information.
