The Blue Idol Meeting House, Coolham

Meeting for Worship is held here every Sunday at 10:30am, with a Children's Meeting on the second and fourth Sundays of the month.

Our lovely old meeting house with timbered walls and Horsham stone roof was built around 1580. It has had a chequered history of use and neglect. William Penn was both a founder of this meeting house as well as Pennsylvania in the United States.

Why Blue Idol?

The origin of the name Blue Idol remains a bit of a mystery. It is possible that it was once painted with a blue wash and was left empty or 'idle' from 1793 until 1869. In 1923 the building was enlarged as a guest house but now provides two separate homes.

The Meeting House Garden

This beautiful, peaceful, natural garden is open every day. A recent addition is the William Penn Memorial Garden, a walk which encourages quiet contemplation of William Penn's life and achievements. The old barn is a medieval timber framed building, older than the Meeting House. The attached art studio is used by one of our members and his sculptures can be seen in the garden.

William Penn School

This primary school for 5 to 11 year olds is in Coolham and is run jointly by West Sussex County council and Quakers and is the only Quaker primary school in the country.

Address: Blue Idol Meeting House, Old House Lane, Coolham, West Sussex, RH13 8QP

Telephone number 01403 740039

Find out more about Blue Idol Quakers at:
www.blueidol.org

Meeting Rooms available to rent - contact 01403 740174.  Both the Meeting House and Barn are available to hire to groups


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