In the late 17th century, a small group of Quakers were meeting in private dwelling houses in Keele. Despite the general decline in Quakerism in the 18th and 19th centuries, Quakerism in the Stoke area grew significantly in the 19th century and a Quaker Meeting was established in Aquinas Street, Stoke in 1831. This grew in the second half of the century to become the largest meeting in the county, accounting for almost three-quarters of the Quakers in Staffordshire. That Meeting House has long since closed, but the burial ground that was attached to it still remains. Just prior to World War II, land was set aside for a new Meeting House in Priory Road, Newcastle. However, the war intervened and the new (prefabricated by necessity) Meeting House was not completed until 1952. This continued in use until about 1988, when Friends purchased a property in Miller Street, Newcastle, that was being vacated by the Staffordshire Football Association. Its conversion into a Meeting House was completed in 1990. During the intervening period (1988 to 1990) Friends met in rented accommodation. In March 2026, Stoke and Newcastle Meeting gave up the Meeting House in Miller St and entered into an arrangement with Newcastle Unitarians to rent the historic Unitarian Meeting House in Lower St, Newcastle. The building, dating from 1717, is thought to be the earliest surviving nonconformist chapel in north Staffordshire. It is Grade II listed. The Unitarians continue to meet on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, with Stoke and Newcastle Quakers renting the building on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.
Meeting for Worship
Held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month from 10.45 am to 11.45 am, followed by tea/coffee and biscuits. Anyone interested in learning more about Quakers is welcome to attend any of our Meetings for Worship.
Children and Young People
Children and young people are welcome at our Meetings. See Children in our Meetings page.
Enquiries
Stephen Langford Tel. 07954 562 672
Or email stokequakers@gmail.com
Stoke Meeting social media channels
Location
Unitarian Meeting House, Lower Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 2UA
Parking
Room for approximately 7 cars in front of the Meeting House but maneuvering is tight. There is some on-street parking behind the Meeting House on Froghall which is a few minutes walk away.
Multiple town centre car parks, some with free parking on Sundays.
The council car park at the end of Silverdale Road is free on Sundays and always has free spaces. Approx. five minutes walk with pelican crossing to get across the dual-carriageway.
Check the council website https://www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk/car-parks/car-parking-charges-opening-times for details.
Directions
By car: The Meeting House is situated on Lower Street which is part of the A34 dual-carriageway.
Arriving by public transport: Newcastle bus station is an approximate 10 minutes walk from the Meeting House.
Staffordshire Quakers 