A Quaker community has worshipped in the seaside town since the 1960s, when they acquired a former Penny School building constructed in the early 19th century.

The town of Littlehampton, at the estuary where the River Arun meets the English Channel, developed as a small port and seaside resort in the 19th century.

In 1835, a Mrs Welch founded a "Penny School"—apparently a type of Dame school—on the north side of Church Street.

[4][7] The east wing has a full-height canted bay window facing south, set below a stuccoed gable with the painted legend friends' meeting house.

[3] The English Heritage listing recognises the meeting house's group value with the adjacent buildings at 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 Church Street.