Press Release provided by Quintessence Theatre Group.
QUINTESSENCE THEATRE PRESENTS THE AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTION OF THE RETURN OF BENJAMIN LAY BY NAOMI WALLACE & MARCUS REDIKER
The one-man show is inspired by the life of radical revolutionary Benjamin Lay, an 18th-century Pennsylvanian Quaker who advocated for the abolition of slavery in the American colonies
[Read more…] about The Return of Benjamin Lay | Quintessence Theatre Group | Press Release
At Old Haverford Friends Meeting, over April 12 and 13, volunteers planted 20 trees on the meeting’s grounds. The planting is a continuation of an ongoing effort to reimagine the land as a mini forest—one that can offer environmental benefits, habitat for wildlife, and a space for reflection. [Read more…] about Old Haverford Friends Meeting Reimagining Land to Be a Mini Forest
Every Friend that shares their gifts, skills, and opportunities within our faith community keeps our community connected. [Read more…] about A Few Ways to Share in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust (ASMHPT) is excited to invite the public to explore the completion of major renovations and brand-new museum exhibits.
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and the success of the ongoing A Place for Friends Capital Campaign, ASMH now features a fully reimagined Lobby and West Room exhibits, with new stories, interactive elements, and technology. In the West Room, enhanced lighting showcases the simple, yet breathtaking, beauty of the historic 1811 worship space that was designed by master carpenter Owen Biddle, Jr.
Arch Street Meeting House’s two-acre property on the corner of 4th and Arch Streets in Old City has been a part of the community for nearly 324 years since Pennsylvania’s Quaker founder, William Penn, deeded the land as a burial ground in 1701, and the meetinghouse was later built between 1804 and 1811. Joining its legacy as a place of Quaker worship, ASMH has served as an exhibition space since at least 1904 when thousands of Quakers from across the Greater Philadelphia region commemorated the meetinghouse’s centennial. Reimagining and preserving historic sites like ASMH is crucial for maintaining Philadelphia’s diverse cultural landscape and its place as the first World Heritage City in the United States. By exploring the diverse stories of our country’s past in the meetinghouse’s exhibits, we can protect irreplaceable sites like ASMH and enrich our community.
“We’re getting ready for the U.S. Semiquincentennial in 2026, and we’re thrilled to unveil phase one of these exciting upgrades. Now more than ever, it’s imperative that the museum can honor the rich history of Arch Street Meeting House while making it a more welcoming, educational, and compelling place for people of all backgrounds,” said Sean Connolly, Executive Director of Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust. “This project represents a major step in preserving our site and ensuring that the unique story of Quakerism and its impact on American history continues to inspire future generations.”
“Quakerism played a vital, yet often overlooked, role in the shaping of our nation,” said George McNeely, Trustee of Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust. “This is the Quaker City and it’s known as the birthplace of American democracy, so Philadelphia’s revolutionary story must include Quakers’ commitments to religious freedom, community, equality, and the belief that every voice matters.”
About Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust
Located in the heart of Old City, Philadelphia, Arch Street Meeting House (ASMH) is a museum and National Historic Landmark operated by Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust (ASMHPT). ASMH is also an active Quaker place of worship for the Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia. Since its first documented burial in the 1680s and its official 1701 deed from Pennsylvania’s Quaker founder, William Penn, ASMH’s two-acre property has been actively and continuously used by both the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and the greater community.
In 2011, the Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust (ASMHPT) was formed to preserve the historic building and grounds and welcome the public to participate in programming to learn more about Quaker history. Last year, Partners for Sacred Places found that through ASMHPT’s stewardship, the meetinghouse’s programs, education initiatives, space sharing, and rentals bring an annual economic impact to Philadelphia valued over $5 million.
Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust (ASMHPT) preserves, operates, and interprets the meeting house and grounds which will serve to increase public understanding of the impact and continued relevance of Quakers and Quaker history.
Arch Street Meeting House
Instagram: @historicasmh
Facebook: @archstreetmeetinghouse
#HistoricASMH #MeetQuakerHistory
About the A Place For Friends Capital Campaign
‘A Place for Friends’ is a campaign that will empower Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust (ASMHPT) to make the capital improvements necessary to engage with an ever-expanding community of visitors, worshipers, and those curious about Quakerism. ASMHPT has contracted some of the region’s best engineers, architects, preservationists, and historians to complete the capital improvements by 2026 in conjunction with the Semiquincentennial of the United States.
As the Trust’s first Capital Campaign in over 25 years, this ambitious project aims to raise $4,700,000 in funding over two phases for vital improvements and ensure the long-term preservation of Arch Street Meeting House, a historic and culturally significant site in Philadelphia. Through individual giving and grant funding, ASMHPT has already made significant progress, raising $3.6 million. This success in the earliest phase of the campaign, which accounts for approximately 66% of the $4.7 million goal, demonstrates the strong support that the community has for preserving this important pillar of Philadelphia’s Quaker history.
For more information about ’A Place for Friends’, please visit historicasmh.org/aplaceforfriends.
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Photo credit Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust and Eddie Einbender-Luks
Link to Images: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ianxo1k590k5yfpib4y6c/AAGjsa8pN9D3V-aD2ZGdvRE?rlkey=5o5gswklvhw8435x0ipnvd0kq&st=izp36e55&dl=0
Kayla D’Oyen
Development &
Communications Manager
kdoyen@historicasmh.org
215-413-1804×103
The Programs and Religious Life Team has an abundant month of gatherings ahead, and they invite all to participate this April! [Read more…] about This April with the Programs and Religious Life Team and Grant Opportunities to Know
Photograph of a building at Cheyney University.
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s Annual Sessions will take place from Wednesday, July 23 – Sunday, July 27 at Cheyney University’s campus, offering a space for Friends to worship in community and practice our faith. The theme of sessions, Members One of Another, reminds us that our faith is not just about the places we meet, but the relationships we build, nourish, and support. [Read more…] about Annual Sessions to Address Deferred Question: How Are We Called at This Moment?
Throughout Spring Continuing Sessions, Friends from across the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting region gathered in person and over Zoom to worship, conduct business, and share meals before engaging in afternoon programs focused on welcome, belonging, and Quaker process. Friends of all ages participated, some attending for PYM business for the first time, while others joined from long-standing roles in their meetings. The afternoons offered space for reflection, creativity, and connection, with common themes emerging across locations: the importance of listening deeply, meeting people where they are, and intentionally creating spaces of belonging. [Read more…] about Spring Continuing Sessions Afternoon Activities at Six Locations
The Friends Counseling Service (FCS) is a program of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) that offers members and regular attenders professional counseling by licensed Quaker mental health professionals at a discounted rate. In times of stress and uncertainty, counseling can be a source of strength and support. [Read more…] about Friends Counseling Service: A Source of Support in Difficult Times
The yearly meeting is dedicated to addressing climate change, acknowledging the urgency of this global crisis and our responsibility as a faith community to take action. As people of faith, seekers of truth, and stewards of Creation, we must take decisive steps to prevent further suffering and the destruction of our planet. Our spiritual values urge us to care for the Earth and its inhabitants, ensuring that future generations inherit a healthy, thriving, and sustainable world.
We aim to inspire and mobilize everyone involved with PYM to embrace this calling and actively work toward stopping the destruction of life on our sacred Earth. This is not merely an environmental issue but a moral and spiritual imperative that demands collective commitment, thoughtful action, and a willingness to challenge existing systems contributing to climate degradation.
Today, we celebrate a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts: officially signing a contract with The Stone House Group, engaging them as a consulting firm to assess our carbon footprint across all aspects of our operations, gatherings, and facilities. This partnership represents a crucial step in understanding the full impact of our activities on the environment and developing a clear, actionable strategy for reducing or eliminating our carbon emissions. The Stone House Group will provide expert guidance, data-driven insights, and practical recommendations to help us align our practices with our values of environmental stewardship.
This achievement is the result of dedicated efforts that began last year. A senior staff member drafted a Request for Proposal (RFP) to identify a qualified firm for this essential work. The finance office and climate change stewards reviewed the draft to ensure it aligned with our testimonies, climate commitments, and financial responsibilities. After researching potential firms, we sent the RFP to nine candidates. We received five proposals from this process, each offering unique perspectives and strategies for helping us achieve our climate goals.
The proposals underwent a review process to ensure a well-rounded and informed decision. They were evaluated internally and shared with stewards and other qualified individuals for additional feedback. A senior staff member then compiled the insights gathered from these reviews and submitted a formal recommendation to the General Secretary, who made the final selection.
This marks a significant step forward in our commitment to climate action, but it is just the beginning. As we move forward with The Stone House Group’s evaluation, we must remain engaged, proactive, and open to transformative change. Together, we will continue working toward a more sustainable future, grounded in faith, truth, and responsibility to our planet and all who depend on it.
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting currently has a partnership with Church World Service, a national faith-based organization focused on just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement, and disaster. Church World Service recently issued The Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration: Defending Refuge, a bold and urgent call to action from faith communities across the nation, which Philadelphia Yearly Meeting is a co-signer. [Read more…] about Faith Communities Unite in Historic Declaration to Defend Refugees at Critical Crossroads for U.S. Policy | PYM
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