Ambrose Crowley was a Stourbridge Quaker and local blacksmith. In 1689 he leased the land on which the present Meeting House stands to the Religious Society of Friends ( Quakers) for a peppercorn rent. There has been a weekly Meeting for Worship since that time.
In the eighteenth century, some of the Lloyd family, (founders of Lloyds Bank) and Samuel Johnson (compiler of the Dictionary) worshipped here. There is more information about our history here : https://www.stourbridge.com/friends-meeting-house.htm
In recent years an extension to the original Grade ll listed building has given space for a kitchen, activity room and a fully adapted wheelchair accessible toilet.
Three hundred years to the day after the original lease was signed, the Revd Brian Crowley, a descendant of Ambrose, planted a commemorative tree in the garden. He was presented with 300 peppercorns, as a token payment for the outstanding rent.
The garden was once the burying ground for the Friends of the Meeting and some burial stones are still visible.
The interior of the Meeting House is plain, in the Quaker tradition. Original wall panelling and a fixed bench runs round the meeting room. At the west end is a raised bench where the Elders once sat, facing the rest of the Meeting. On the first floor is a gallery where the women originally sat.
Today everyone sits in a circle as equals.
A kneeler made to celebrate 300yrs of the building
The fireplace in the upper gallery
The first floor gallery looks down into the meeting room.