The Friendly Church

What if I told you about a church in Philadelphia, a place called The Friendly Church? Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Friendly Church,” pretty generic, right? But what if this simple name hides a deeper story, a tale of revolution and faith? We’re standing here, before a church whose name, The Friendly Church, speaks volumes. It hints at a community built on acceptance, on embracing those who dared to be different. Let’s step back in time to the Revolutionary period in Philadelphia, a city buzzing with the fervor of a new nation. Amidst this turmoil, a group of Quakers found themselves at odds with their brethren. Their crime? Supporting the American cause. They were labeled “Fighting Quakers,” disowned by their traditional meetings for taking up arms and swearing allegiance to the fledgling United States. These were men like Timothy Matlack, a colonel in the Continental Army, and Samuel Wetherill, a minister who supplied cloth to Washington’s troops at Valley Forge. They believed their faith didn’t conflict with their patriotism. They believed in a God of freedom, a God who championed the rights of man. These disowned Quakers, yearning for spiritual connection, began meeting in private homes. Then in 1781, they formally established the Religious Society of Friends, sometimes called the Free Quakers. They proclaimed, “Neither shall a member be deprived of his right among us on account of his differing in sentiment from any or all of his brethren.” This radical notion, religious freedom within their own ranks, set them apart. It was a testament to their commitment to true liberty, in both the political and spiritual realms. In 1783, with the Revolutionary War won, these Free Quakers, fueled by the support of a nation grateful for their service, built their own meeting house at Fifth and Arch Streets. The Friendly Church, though not directly mentioned in the historical records I’ve accessed, perhaps echoes this spirit of inclusion and independence. The name suggests a welcoming space, a sanctuary for those seeking spiritual solace without judgment. It’s a place where faith and freedom intertwine.