Old City in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Arch Street Friends
1681
— Old Philadelphia Congregations —
The Arch Street Meeting House stands as an enduring symbol of the people who created Pennsylvania as a "Holy Experiment." Built to house the men's and women's Yearly Meetings, the business sessions of the Religious Society of Friends for Philadelphia and Environs, it remains one of the oldest active houses of worship in the city.
Begun in 1803, the building was financed by the sale of the Greater Meeting House, which stood at Second and High (now Market) Streets, the site of Quaker Meetings since 1696. The Friends did not follow the classic revival style then in vogue. Master carpenter Owen Biddle built the Arch Street Meeting House according to the Quaker principles of plainness and simplicity.
The beautiful but unadorned interior of the Meeting House is well suited to a form of worship in silence, as Friends seek to feel the presence of "The Light that lighteth everyman." Over the past three centuries, Friends have been in the forefront of the struggle for womens' rights, the abolition of slavery, prison reform, humane treatment for the mentally ill, and non-violent resolution of conflict.
The Religious Society of Friends, called Quakers by their early critics, grew out of the teachings of George Fox in England in the 17th century. William Penn, a Fox disciple, founded Philadelphia in 1681 as a haven of religious freedom. His "Holy Experiment" was to build a society according to Quaker ideals: absolute right of conscience, human equality, and non-violence. Today, in Quaker Meetings around the world, Friends still strive to adhere to these ideals.
Erected by Old Philadelphia Congregations.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights • Colonial Era • Peace. In addition, it is included in the Quakerism series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.
Location. 39° 57.137′ N, 75° 8.761′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Old City. Marker is on Arch Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 320 Arch Street, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Arch Street Meeting House (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Arch Street Meeting House (a few steps from this marker); History of the Philadelphia Fire Department Mural Project (a few steps from this marker); Friends Meeting (a few steps from this marker); What is Quakerism? (a few steps from this marker);
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 19, 2022
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 19, 2022
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,773 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 19, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2, 3. submitted on November 21, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on July 19, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the front of the marker • Can you help?