A BRIEF HISTORY OF QUAKERS IN PICKERING
Quakers trace their history back to the 1640s when George Fox and others were convinced there was a different, simpler way to worship. They called themselves, 'The Society of Friends' but quickly earned the nickname 'Quakers' because many of them trembled and quaked when speaking. Today both the terms 'Quakers' and 'Friends' are used.
George Fox
Fox came to Yorkshire for the first time in 1651. Among the places he visited was Pickering where he was given a cordial welcome. At first, those who were 'convinced' by Fox could only meet for worship in each others' houses as it was against the law for Dissenters to meet for worship in public. Even this was risky as they suffered sequestration of goods, fines and even imprisonment if discovered - one Friend died while a prisoner in Pickering Castle.
The first Meeting House in Pickering was probably built about 1688 after the passing of the Toleration Act which allowed Dissenters freedom of worship. The site of this building was where 1 Undercliff now stands, and behind it was believed to be the Quaker burial ground. A gravestone with the name 'Elizabeth Maw' was found in the grounds of the Station Hotel.
The present Meeting House was built in 1793, behind the home and workshop of a stonemason, to accommodate Friends more comfortably. Its use as a place of public worship was licensed by magistrates at Guisborough in 1794. For about 100 years there is little information about Pickering Meeting and the number of Friends appears to have dwindled. In 1896, two sisters, Mary Emmeline and Louise Manners, came to live in Middleton near Pickering. From their diaries it seems that once again Pickering Meeting became active and the Meeting House well used. Many events were recorded and the Dixon, Galloway, Priestman and Rowntree families are all mentioned.
From then on the Meeting House has been in continuous use, the number of Friends using it varying enormously but always maintaining a presence. Today the Meeting House with recent improvements, is bright, cheerful and well used by Quakers and a variety of other organisations from the Pickering community. In their turn, members of the Meeting are active in these and other aspects of community life in the area.
If you would like to know more about Quakers and their beliefs contact the Wardens (see the contact page) for an information pack or go online at www.quaker.org.uk where you can find out what Friends are doing world-wide, request more information and find your local Quaker Meeting.
To find out about Quakers in the this area go to www.pandhquakers.org.uk
Pickering Friends hold a vigil against the Iraq war in Pickering Market Place