 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 (XXXX 5) |
Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting has published a history of the Meeting with Friends Publishing Corporation. In the Shadow of William Penn: Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting of Friends was written by Margaret Hope Bacon, a member of the Meeting. The 84-page illustrated volume sells for $12.00.
Did you ever wonder why Fair Hill Burial Ground is where it is? Why does Philadelphia Yearly Meeting have so much property under its care? Why is there a Friends Neighborhood Guild?
These questions and others are addressed in this history, which is also a guide to Quaker institutions in Philadelphia. Friends continue to meet challenges of changing demographics and interactions within the surrounding community. Some past challenges contributed to divisions among Friends and construction of a separate meetinghouse on Race Street in 1828, now used by CPMM at Friends Center.
In the early 20th century, younger Hicksite and Orthodox Friends collaborated in work with the American Friends Service Committee and Civilian Public Service. These efforts partially bridged theological chasms and led to outward reconciliation of the two Philadelphia Yearly Meetings in 1955.
This history is a loving look into the distant and recent past of one Philadelphia Meeting. It presents a challenge of continuing to mend disparate threads left over from past divisions.
Christine M. Greenland
Horsham Meeting (PA)
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM