Quakers settled Crosswicks in 1677 and purchased this land toward the end of that century, and Friends have worshiped on this site continuously since that time. The meetinghouse, built in 1773 at a cost of $3750, with a cedar interior and hand wrought nails, is the third meetinghouse on the property; the first, of log construction, was built in 1693. During the Revolutionary War, both Colonial and British forces occupied the meetinghouse, though meetings for worship continued despite the challenge this wartime barracks use posed to Quaker peace testimony. The smaller building was erected in the mid 1780's as a Quaker school and is now used as a First Day (Sunday) school and gathering place. Friends base their faith on the belief that God endows every human being with a measure of Divine Spirit, often called the Light Within, and their quiet manner of worship grows from this belief as they gather in stillness and wait for the Spirit to move worshippers to give vocal ministry. Quakers today continue a witness of simplicity and social consciousness, working for peace and justice among nations and within families.