The religious society of friends was founded in the mid 17th century in England by George Fox, who decided to be dissatisfied with the teachings of the church of England. Quakers came together to stay with each other for up to a week at a time and celebrate the peace within one another. Candace says famous visitors have come to visit this exact location, such as George Fox himself, and even William Penn and Lord and Lady Baltimore.
“There’s a feeling of continuity, and stability, and peacefulness that you don’t often find. And this piece of land is pretty much untouched,” Shattock explains. There is a unique difference from this place of worship to modern places.
The building has barely been updated since it was built. With no heat, electricity or plumbing, the society decided to build a second meeting house in 1880. They continue to use that building in cold weather, until it is comfortable enough outside to move back into the original house. They have also replaced the foundation to keep the building stable for hopefully, another 300 years.
