Logan Square in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Quakers at Friends Center

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 17, 2015

1. Quakers at Friends Center Marker

Inscription. Quakers also known as members of the Religious Society of Friends, are a religious group which emerged in a time of ferment among Christians in England in the 1650s. Quakerism is practiced today in a variety of forms around the world. Quakers seek a direct experience of God and believe the Light of the Divine is within all people. Seeking to be guided by this Light in their daily lives, Quakers are known for their testimonies of peace, equality, integrity, simplicity, and community.

Since the construction of the Race Street Meetinghouse in 1856, Quakers have worshipped and worked at this location. In partnership with diverse community groups, Quakers have worked here to foster movements to end slavery, promote women’s rights, and reform public institutions.

(Inscription under the photo in the upper left)
Quaker worship has been held in this meetinghouse since 1856. All are welcome.

(Inscriptions under the photos at the bottom of the marker)
1. Quakers gather together in meeting for worship to search as a group for the guidance of the Living Presence of God. The Quakers who worship here hold meeting for worship that

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are predominantly silent. There is no pastor and no set order of worship. Those present may rise to speak as the Spirit moves them to do so.

2. Quaker education, long nurtured at his site, is rooted in the central tenets of the Religious Society of Friends. Friends schools engage students in inquiry and discovery, collaborative problem solving, and exploration of world issues in a content of justice and human dignity.

3. Friends are known for their efforts on behalf of human rights, prison reform, and work for peace in their communities and around the world. Quakers worldwide were honored in 1947 with the Nobel Prize for Peace for feeding starving children during both World Wars and for their assistance rebuilding Europe in the wars’ aftermath.

4. Friends Center provides a place for Quakers and other community groups to work together on social issues through actions rooted in love and peace. The practice of listening both to God and to one another sustains Quakers in their work for world peace, justice, and human dignity.

(Quote at the bottom)
“True godliness does not turn men out of the world, but enables them better to live

Quakers at Friends Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 17, 2015

2. Quakers at Friends Center

in it and excites their endeavors to mend it.” William Penn-William Penn (1644-1718) a Quaker founded Pennsylvania in 1681 as a “Holy Experiment” for religious freedom.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Quakerism series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.

Location. 39° 57.341′ N, 75° 9.887′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Logan Square. It is on Cherry Street. The marker is at the entrance to the Friends Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia PA 19102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At

Quakers at Friends Center-Entrance to buildings image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 17, 2015

3. Quakers at Friends Center-Entrance to buildings

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Green Building at Friends Center (here, next to this marker); American Friends Service Committee (a few steps from this marker); Mary Dyer (a few steps from this marker); Civilian Public Service (within shouting distance of this marker); Unifying the Neighborhoods and Cultures of Philadelphia (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Green Spaces, Fresh Air (about 500 feet away); Girl Scout Cookies (about 500 feet away); Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 17, 2015

4. Mary Dyer

Sculptor is located inside the entrance gates. (Inscription at the base of the sculptor) Mary Dyer-Quaker witness for the religious freedom hanged on Boston Commons 1640

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 476 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 20, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.