The Original Meetinghouse with Additions, 1890's Parsonage (Sisson House) to the Left

History

The Religious Society of Friends is a distinct group within the Christian tradition. Also called Quakers, we are people from all walks of life who have found that the Spirit of God is the heritage of everyone. Friends place special emphasis on the ever present Holy Spirit, active in the hearts of individuals. We believe in that Spirit which is living and ministering among us.

The Society of Friends (Quakers) had its beginnings in England, when George Fox (1624-1691), a seeker, preached that “Christ had come to teach His people Himself”. The term “Quaker” was given to our Society because George Fox once asked a judge to ‘tremble at the word of the Lord’. The judge dubbed him a “Quaker” in derision.

The Original Meetinghouse (restored) at the Hoover Site

Many of the early midwestern settlers in the late 1840's and early 1850's in West Branch and for miles around, were Friends. Many came from southern and eastern states to settle here. They established meetings for worship, and businesses in various locations. At first, meetings for worship were held in homes. Then in 1853, the new West Branch schoolhouse, largely financed by Quakers, became their meeting place. In 1858, on the site of the present structure, Friends built the first meetinghouse in West Branch. The current brick structure replaced the wooden building in 1915. The original meetinghouse was later moved to the Herbert Hoover Historical site, where it stands today.

In the late 1800’s, differences arose within Quaker meetings regarding the preferred manner of worship. Some felt God’s leading for the pastoral system and others desired to continue in the traditional way of meeting for worship in silence. This difference resulted in two Friends meetings in West Branch. The pastoral Friends, who were soon to become the West Branch Friends Church, continued to worship in the meetinghouse on Downey Street. Gradually, music and prepared sermons became an integral part of the worship service, along with a time of expectant silence, in communion with Christ.