Burford : Friends Meeting House

The building probably dates from 1688, with remodelling in 1709 and 1730s.

About this church

The existing building, entered from Pytts Lane, was probably around 1688, despite the date of 1709 (perhaps recalling a remodelling) on the gateway.

The Pytts Lane meeting house, with its rubble-stone walls and stone-slate hipped roof, is a simple expression of vernacular construction. It epitomizes Quaker principles, which not only eschewed all ritual and hierarchy but rejected indulgence in dress, language, and daily life. Its front elevation has a central doorway with tall sash windows to either side. Inside is a gallery to south and west, altered in the 1730s perhaps for women Friends: in the 18th century the movement recognised the role of women, and separate spaces were created for their meetings. Sometimes these were in upstairs rooms separated by shutters from the main space, so that women could choose whether to be private or to participate in the main meeting. The elders’ stand or bench was removed in 1947, when the movement adopted a more egalitarian layout for its meetings.

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