Early 18th century Friends Meeting House at Burrows Road, Earls Colne (EHER 28700)

The meeting house was probably built in about 1733, replacing an earlier building of 1674.

1999. Historic assessment. Friends meeting-house built in 1674 of brick, a particularly early example. <1> (Former interpretation) July 2014. Building survey. The meeting house was probably built in about 1733, replacing an earlier building of 1674. The interior is relatively unaltered, retaining its gallery, elders’ seating and some benches. The design is plain, foursquare and under a hipped roof. The quality of the brickwork is high, both in the original build and in the modern addition (which is a scaled-down version of the historic building). The meeting house interior is a single space with two square chamfered columns at its centre; there is no evidence for the space ever having been partitioned. The upper gallery is now concealed by a ceiling. The elders’ stand occupies the south wall; it has a horizontally boarded dado, ramped at the sides, and a short stair with columnar newel, closed string, attached square balusters and moulded handrail. It has integral seating. On the north wall, a timber surround with keystone of 1986-7 frames double doors to the link and the modern addition. The loft and staircase previously located on the north wall have been removed. The 1986-7 addition is a scaled-down version of the main building, of hand-made brick with a pyramidal tile roof. It is connected to the main accommodation via a mainly glazed link, which is now the main entrance. This is immediately to the north of the meeting house, and is still in use. It is laid to grass with the headstones (all late 19th or early 20th century in date) relocated to the eastern side near the boundary hedge. <2> See also: <3> <4> NRHE data transfer: The building is listed at grade II. <5> See also <6> <7>. NRHE summary description: Quaker Meeting House, built in 1674 on land donated by a local farmer, John Garrod. This was rebuilt in circa 1733. It is constructed from red brick in Flemish bond, plastered on the front elevation, and is roofed with handmade red plain tiles. Late 19th century porch.