Quarterly Meetings of Long Ago

According to several sources, the presence of up to 450 people for Quarterly Meeting was not unusual, Eliza Foulke gave a description of the food served at Quarterly Meeting, “cold sliced ham, potato salad, apple sauce, cheese, pickles, apricot and plum jams, rolls and biscuits, and tea and coffee.” She noted that there was no cafeteria or buffet style serving in those days. Friends sat at long tables set up in a large tent and were served by the young people of the meeting. Eliza was one of the servers. She continued, “Even with the use of the large tent, there was more than one “sitting” and the children and young people would get hungry and tired before their turn came for lunch, but all had a good time!”

WWI

Walter H. Jenkins sponsored the “Friends Food Unit” by donated land that Boy Scouts tilled and planted in an effort to produce the greatest amount of food per acre per person. It was under the supervision of an expert gardener, directed by W. Atlee Burpee Seed Company.

Community

In early 1927, members of Gwynedd and the nearby Church of the Messiah formed The Gwynedd Association. The Association organized Historical Pilgrimages, and Antique Shows. The Association provided members with relaxed social gatherings. Gwynedd and the Church of the Messiah also joined together during WWII for World Day of Prayer services. Boehm’s Church of Blue Bell and Bethlehem Baptist Church joined later. Bethlehem Baptist occasionally held worship service at Gwynedd complete with their choir to celebrate Brotherhood Week.

Meeting members sometimes organized walks along the Wissahickon on First day afternoons, and put on many plays.

Division of Plymouth and Norristown

In 1936, Gwynedd Monthly Meeting, which convened for the business of Gwynedd, Plymouth, and Norristown Meetings, was dissolved, and the three meetings each formed a Monthly Meeting for Business to care for their individual concerns.

World War II

During World War II, 19 members were in “Service of the Nation.” One had died there: Thomas Hallowell. Money orders were sent to boys overseas. An advertisement was run in the local paper “to urge the public to send their signatures indicating approval of the feeding of Germany and Austria.” The meeting was sending care packages to Germany. Hymnals not being used were later sent to Japan.

Post-War

Monthly lectures series were in full swing during the 1945-1946 season, including a discussion of American Occupation policies in Germany and Japan given by Dr. James Perkins, vice-president of Swarthmore College, and a Christmas time lecture by Dr. Rufus Jones, president emeritus of Haverford College, “Following the Star.” A total of five lectures were given. The series started in 1943.

The greatest handicap noted in the annual report for 1946 was the lack of classroom space.

Particular note was made of Helen M. Satterthwaite’s work in preparing a detailed study of the Negro Opportunities and Conditions in Montgomery County.

In 4th month an urgent appeal was received from member Heinz Valtin who was stationed in Tokyo requesting food and medical supplies to distribute. By 10th month he had returned home and was a student at Swarthmore.

There was tension in Meeting between those who favored temperance and those who strongly supported total abstinence. It should be pointed out here that the early Quaker families of Cadbury, Fry, and Rowntree provided the Society of Friends with a tasty alternative to alcohol when they produced cocoa drinks.

The Meeting house was heated with coal. In 11th month 1947 the electric wiring in the Meeting and School houses was found to be “dangerously defective.” Repairs were authorized.

These Committees existed at Gwynedd in 1946-1947:

Ministry and Council Graveyard

Overseers Parking

Religious Education Ushering

Library Hospitality

Education (School) Public Relations

Sewing and Knitting Young Women’s Group

Peace and Welfare Community Lectures

Finance Nominating

Property 250th Anniversary Committee

Beaumont Young People

Unity

Herbert M. Hadley, former Executive Secretary of the Friends World Committee for Consulation has written that it was the actions of Thomas and Eliza Foulke that finally reunited the Hicksite and Orthodox branches of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Thomas and Eliza travelled to Japan for a year of service in 1949-50. They were much impressed with Japanese Friends’ opinions that “a division of the Society of Friends into two bodies unable to unite was incomprehensible.”

“Thomas and Eliza, therefore, returned from Japan to Philadelphia very much under the burden of concern that Philadelphia Friends must find the way to put aside the hindrances to reunion and to make more rapid progress to that goal.” When they shared their concern with Race Street Yearly Meeting (Hicksite) in 1950, the response was a minute asking Arch Street Yearly Meeting (Orthodox) if it could find clearness to work towards a merger. It took several years of meetings and a new Faith and Practice, but on March 26, 1955, each Yearly Meeting approved reuniting, ending one hundred and twenty-eight years of separation.

The Second Expansion

In 1948, the decision to expand was made. A total project budget was extimated at $35,000, later raised to $36,000. A member contributed $5,000 in thanks that his family did not have to serve in WWI or WWII. The reasons to expand were the need for more First Day School classrooms, more kindergarten space for weekdays, and increased room for social functions. The addition was completed by the end of 1948. Total cost $36,094.92.

A lecture series included discussions of Palestine, Immigration, and Peace.

In 1948, 6th month, Congress passed the mandatory draft law. The AFSC suggested non-compliance. The Meeting ran an ad in the paper saying Meeting members would offer counseling to men of draft age. The Richmond statement “Advices on Conscription & War” came out later in the year.

In 1948, 10th month, a report from the Sewing Group stated that they completed 282 garments, incl. 70 baby wrappers, 66 baby sacques, 31 hand-knit sweaters, 72 girls’ dresses and 8 diapers.

The Survey Committee reported in 10th mo., 1948 that members were “deeply concerned for personal religious growth,” and yearning for more knowledge of the fundamental testimonies of Friends. The conclusion of this committee was wonderful:

In conclusion, we would state that we believe a great religious awakening is possible at Gwynedd Monthly Meeting. Such a possibility may cause even the most courageous to question, in the words of Rufus Jones, “Are we ready? The difficulty with many individuals and many meetings is that they always remain in the questioning, hesitating stage. Let us go forward boldly with faith that God will direct us, and that the next step will be made known…”

In 11 month 1949, Christmas decorations were discussed with “hope expressed that the number of decorations, if any, should be in keeping w/our testimony for simplicity”. It was decided to leave the matter to the discretion of Young Friends.

There were 400 present for the 250th anniversary meeting, and a marked increase in meeting attendance after the addition and anniversary.

11 mo. 20, 1950 Meeting minutes report:

“Through a scruple against taking any part in an organized program to prepare for war, our members David and Paul Seaver have been arrested for refusal to register under the Selective Service Act of 1948. They may be assured of the love and understanding of the Meeting in their effort to carry out the teachings of Jesus.” They were later convicted and sent to a federal correctional institute in Danbury, CT for 18 months, where they taught classes. Meeting members spoke for them at their trial. After their release, they again refused to sign up, and were again convicted. Their second sentences were for only one day.

In 1951, the Homestead Committee was formed to study Beaumont Tract.

The annual report written in early 1952 noted that the meeting membership was as high as it had been in 100 years - 310 members. By the end of the year it had further grown to 332 members. In 1945, the membership stood at 171.

In 1954, Route 202 was widened, and the post office moved off meeting property across the street. The corner driveway was closed. Use of the driveway had become more dangerous as the intersection of 202 and Sumneytown Pike was more heavily traveled.

In remaining vestiges of the 1827 Hicksite/Orthodox schism, a survey of members showed 241 members who asked to be considered as United Members and 122 members of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Race Street.

In 1955, the Peace and Social Order Committee addressed the issue of segregation in Lower Gwynedd Schools, provided homes for visiting UN families, and supported a refugee family.

Japan

PYM had supported mission work in Japan since 1885. Tom and Eliza Foulke spent 1949 in Japan under AFSC appointment, helping to establish a nursery school, women’s classes and a library.

Vietnam War

1966 - The Meeting was finally able to repurchase the 1857 schoolhouse from the estate of Judge Staake. The building had been sold to the judge, who lived on the property next to the Meeting grounds, in 1903. Proceeds from the sale had been used to put a frame addition to the Meetinghouse. Attendance at the school had dropped, and the students easily fit into the addition, which was also needed to supply space for the large Quarterly Meeting gatherings. Years later, the Meeting approached the judge and asked to buy it back. He refused, saying he liked to store his porch furniture in it during the winter months. After his death, the Meeting was able to complete the sale, and repossess the 1857 school house, which was then in terrible condition. After much plastering inside and out, it was opened for use by First Day School classes.

1982 state of the Meeting: Adult First Day School averages 60 people, First Day School 30 children. The Gwynedd pre-school was expanded, adding a class for 3 – 3 1/2 year olds. Note was made that only five years earlier there had been discussion of discontinuing the program for lack of interest. The Meetinghouse got a new roof, and there were concerns about aged heating system.

Final Thoughts

The roots of Gwynedd Meeting reach deep enough to nourish generations of Friends, deep enough to weather the occasional drought or storm. Our Meeting has flourished, thanks to the grace of God, and the prayers and hard work of thousands of Friends. Our fruits are abundant; from the physical care and comfort we offer those in need, to our souls serene in the stillness of worship. We continue to seek, to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, to forgive, to be humble and thankful, to grow in the Light. We have been blessed, blessed, blessed, with a rich history of love and countless opportunities to continue living our lives in the manner of Friends.

This little book opened with several stories that came from friend Edward Foulke. It seems appropriate to turn again to his writings for an suitable conclusion. Edward dictated a letter to his children, summarizing for them what he thought was the right way to live. Here is an excerpt from the end of the letter.

“… And as for your Father and Mother, our time is almost come to a period, we have lived together above fifty years and now in our old age the Lord is as good and Gracious as ever he was, he gives us a Comfortable living now in the close of our Days. We have fresh Occasion to acknowledge his Benevolence and abounding goodness to us. … I conclude in the words of the prophet Jeremiah (chapter) the 31st, and (verse) 21st “Set thee up waymarks, make thee high hopes. Set thine heart toward the high way…”

More than two centuries later, Edward’s descendant Eliza Foulke summarized her understanding of the significance of Gwynedd Meeting:

“Gwynedd Meeting has been richly blessed both in members and opportunities for service through the years. It has been my belief for some time that much is expected by our Creator of Gwynedd Meeting. The fact that Quakers have no written creed places responsibility clearly upon members to live according to the testimonies of the Society developed through experience of God’s will and, moreover, there is the responsibility to be alive to openings that may lead to the growth of new testimonies to meet today’s need.

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