The first Quakers to reach the town of Settle were William Dewsbury and John Camm, around 1652 or 1653. Both preached in the market place, held meetings for worship and made several convincements amongst local people. Some of the earliest Friends in Settle were John Armistead and John Kidd, and a Meeting was settled during this period. It was a constituent firstly of Skipton Monthly Meeting and from 1669, of Settle Monthly Meeting. Its members included Samuel Watson, John Moore, Peter Atkinson, James and Robert Banks, John Kidd, John Robinson and Christopher Armistead. A Meeting House was acquired in Kirkgate at least as early as 1661, and possibly dating back to 1659. It was demolished in 1678 and replaced by the current building, which is still in use. A separate Adult School on the same site was added in 1880. From 1853, the Meeting became part of Brighouse Monthly Meeting, and was transferred back into the re-formed Settle Monthly Meeting in 1924.
From the guide to the Records of Settle Preparative Meeting of the Society of Friends, 1661-1984, (GB 206 Leeds University Library)
