Memorial plaque unveiled at Friends Meeting House, St Helens
The fourth plaque on the city’s Heritage Trail was unveiled at the Friends Meeting House on George Street by Deputy Mayor Lynn Clark and Rotary St. Helens President Simon Hairsnape.
The St. Helens Historical Society offered refreshments and exhibits on the town’s history.
About the House of Friends Gathering
The Friends Meeting House is by far the oldest building in central St Helens and is a Grade I listed building.
It predates the unification of St Helens in the area known as Hardshaw. It was most likely the “original” Hardshaw Hall. Unfortunately, the date this house was built is unknown.
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However, there is a record that Sir Thomas Gerard of Bryn sold it and two other properties to John Tarbock of Windle in 1593. This was just five years after England’s famous naval victory over the Spanish Armada.
Almost two centuries would pass before the sparsely populated rural landscape in which the house stood would change with the onset of industrialization.
The Meeting House, a residential building adapted for Quaker use that retains several historical features.
The building is used by the local church and for religious services.
The Quaker Garden is appreciated by visitors who may not be users of the building.
Present at the unveiling was Deputy Lord Lieutenant Anne Morris; Cllr Andy Bowden; Rotary Assistant Governors Gwyneth Millard and Swati Mukherjee; Rotarians; Friends of Rotary, St. Helens Historical Society and many other guests.
For most it was the first time they had been to the Friends Meeting House.
Here’s how to learn more
The board contains a QR code that can be used to learn more about the Friends Meeting House.
To learn more about the building’s history, the Quaker religion, the train station across from the building, and its connection to Quaker Oats, people can visit the Friends Meeting House and scan the QR code located on the railing outside of the building.
Visitors can also visit the three other locations where plaques have previously been placed on the “Hotties” next to Glass World, Totally Wicked Stadium and the Parish Church in the city centre.
