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
News
Downingtown Monthly Meeting Minutes Their Support of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
At Meeting with Attention to Business this day, Downingtown Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends minutes their support of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s recent corporate witness undertaken to block federal immigration enforcement officials from entering houses of worship for immigration enforcement activities. This step was taken to ensure Quaker values are maintained as we support vulnerable community members. We hold in the Light those individuals impacted by this new policy as well as those who are actively moving this lawsuit forward on behalf of long held Quaker principles of peace, equality, and social justice. [Read more…] about Downingtown Monthly Meeting Minutes Their Support of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust Unveils New Exhibits | Press Release
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
Chestnut Hill Monthly Meeting Letter of Support Concerning Lawsuit for Religious Liberty
We are with you — and commend your joining with New England and Baltimore Yearly Meetings and Adelphi and Richmond Friends Meetings in recently submitting a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
We admire this speedy reaction to the rescinding of religious protections of people in Religious buildings and the broadened power of the Department of Homeland Security. We agree that our Constitutional guarantee of religious freedom is at stake and that your strong response is exactly what is needed.
In his drafting of the Pennsylvania Constitution, William Penn wrote “No people can be truly happy, though under the greatest enjoyments of civil liberties, if abridged of the Freedom of their Conscience as to their Religious Profession and Worship”. Further, “No men, nor number of men upon earth, hath power or authority to rule over men’s consciences in religious matters.”
We are all struggling with what is currently unfolding in Washington, D.C. However, we are heartened by your forthright and speedy action in defense of religious freedom.
With sincere and heartfelt appreciation,
Miyo Moriuchi
Clerk, Chestnut Hill Monthly Meeting
Philadelphia, PA
Abington Monthly Meeting Minute In Accord with Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Abington Monthly Meeting Minute 2/20/25
Abington Monthly Meeting is in accord with Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, associated yearly meetings, and other denominations, in their lawsuit against the US Department of Homeland Security for suddenly revoking sanctuary protections for immigrants in houses of worship. We believe in the freedom of religion, for all to worship as they choose without fear. Quakers aim to speak to and importantly to live the testimonies that guide Quaker faith especially here Equality, Community and Peace. Sacred spaces cannot be violated by immigration officials surveilling or seeking to enter them. Our community welcomes new immigrants and would be harmed by the inhumane treatment of them.
In addition, we support the multifaith coalition that includes Friends General Conference together with The Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP) in a second lawsuit opposing the recision of ICE’s sensitive locations policy, a policy that has been in effect since 2011.
This April with the Programs and Religious Life Team and Grant Opportunities to Know
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
Financial Education Available Through Everence and Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Partnership
Everence, a faith-based and member-owned financial group, partners with Philadelphia Yearly Meeting to provide financial resources and support. [Read more…] about Financial Education Available Through Everence and Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Partnership
Friends Respond to Gun Violence Through Community and Care
The Syracuse Friends Meeting Minute of Support in Response to DHS Lawsuit
Syracuse Friends Meeting shared the following minute with New York Yearly Meeting. They also gave Philadelphia Yearly Meeting a copy to share with the PYM community.
The Syracuse Friends Meeting supports New York Yearly Meeting in its lawsuit seeking to halt the new federal policy of allowing U.S. Department of Homeland Security intrusions in and around houses of worship. We hold in the Light those who have brought this lawsuit and are grateful to them for acting with clarity, courage, and conviction. [Read more…] about The Syracuse Friends Meeting Minute of Support in Response to DHS Lawsuit
Minute of Support from Newark Monthly Meeting
Minute of Support for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting from Newark (Delaware) Monthly Meeting
Approved at Meeting for Business, 9th March, 2025.
Newark Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends supports Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, acting with Baltimore Yearly Meeting, New England Yearly Meeting, Adelphi Monthly Meeting, and Richmond Monthly Meeting, as plaintiffs, in their lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security for its actions to allow federal immigration enforcement agents to enter places of worship in order to take immigration enforcement action. [Read more…] about Minute of Support from Newark Monthly Meeting
