1678
The history of the Friends’ meeting house in Skinnergate began by the purchase of the
original small property in 1678, consisting of a "Burgage, Tenement and Croft",
for £35. Previous to this, meetings were held in private houses in Darlington, Cockerton
and Blackwell. The building was altered for a meeting house, as recorded in the early
monthly meeting minutes and deeds.
1760
Additions to the land and buildings had been made, so that there were two meeting houses -
the men’s to the left, and the women’s to the right beyond the first building.
The ground to the south is shown on an old plan as being the burying ground at the time.
Entry from the street was through a wrought iron gate, and the path to the side door,
passing the original building on the left, then used mid-week as the "small meeting
house", with stable for the horses of visiting Friends beyond it.
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In an early etching the gables of the two meeting houses are to be seen over the front. The cottages on the street had been purchased and were used as almshouses. |
1796 The women’s meeting house was enlarged to the same length as the men’s.
1839-1840
The present front was built, probably to the design of Joshua Sparks. Committee rooms on
the ground floor, classrooms and a library space above, replaced the cottages and former
building.
1845-1847
A little later, in 1845-47, the two meeting houses were extended to the west and made into
one with a single span roof, while moveable shutters could be lowered fort the separate
business meetings of men and women Friends. To enlarge the graveyard behind the meeting
house additional land was bought from the duke of Cleveland; more was added at a later
date.
1856-1858
As the Sunday School movement led to increased numbers, the school block was built. One or
two rooms used previously for this purpose formed the lower floor.
1890
in these years the adult school met each Sunday morning in large numbers in the upper
room, and in a classroom in the main building
1896 Further alterations for heating and cloakrooms were made in 1896
1960
Not until 1960 when, the meeting having become smaller - it was decided to let much of the
property for business premises - was a major re-arrangement made. From the men’s side
a kitchen was taken off, leaving a sufficiently large meeting room for present needs. the
women’s side was retained for large gatherings, and the library and institute room
for committee’s etc, with the warden’s flat o the upper floor.
1964
The school block, being unsafe, was closed in 1964. the lower room had been the meeting
place of the natural history and field club, in which Friends took a prominent interest
for 40 years. The development of this site remains to be decided.
1966 School building demolished
1975
Central heating, suspended ceilings, new toilets and womens meeting room refurbished. Now
re-named "Elm tree room" to perpetuate the mission on rise Carr which was
demolished prior it o redevelopment of that area. Meeting room redecorated, the
traditional Quaker colours of blue and grey being discontinued. carpets laid in hall and
institute.
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Darlington Skinnergate meeting house, present day |
| Darlington: 10.30am. Children's class.
Additional Meeting for Worship Thurs 10.00 -10.20am. 6 Skinnergate, Darlington DL3 2NB
01325 466810 FMH Grid Ref NZ 287 144. In central Darlington area. Railway Stn 1 mile. Skinnergate (a one way street) entered from Duke st. FMH is on the right. Car Parking (by arrangement). Contact: darl-quakers@maximpact.net Clerk: Jenny Warden, Stanhope Road, Darlington DL3 7SF Tel: FMH 01325-466-810 |
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(Details taken from official meeting hse pamphlet)
Downloaded from web site for Darlington Society of Friends (Quakers) 2000/12/31.
