Concord Friends Meetinghouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Concord Friends Meetinghouse
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Concord Friends Meetinghouse, October 2009
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Old Concord Rd., Concordville, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1728 |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001164 |
| Added to NRHP | June 17, 1977 |
The Concord Friends Meetinghouse is a very old and important building in Concordville, Pennsylvania. It's a special place where Quakers (also known as the Religious Society of Friends) have met for hundreds of years.
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About the Concord Friends Meetinghouse
A meetinghouse is a place where Quakers gather for worship and community events. Quakers are a Christian group known for their peaceful beliefs and simple way of life. They believe in finding God's spirit within themselves and others.
A Long History
The Quaker group in Concordville started a very long time ago, even before 1697! It was the sixth Quaker meeting in what was then Chester County. In 1697, the group leased the land where the meetinghouse now stands. They paid a very small rent: "one peppercorn yearly forever." This meant they paid almost nothing to use the land.
The first building on the site was a log structure, built in 1710. This was replaced by the current brick building in 1728. Later, in 1788, a fire badly damaged the inside of the meetinghouse. After the fire, the building was repaired and made larger.
A Place of Refuge During War
The Concord Friends Meetinghouse played a small but important role during the American Revolutionary War. On September 11, 1777, the Battle of Brandywine took place just a few miles away. This was a major battle between American and British forces.
After the battle, wounded American soldiers found safety and care inside the meetinghouse. It became a temporary shelter for those who were hurt.
Recognized as Important
Because of its long history and its role in the community, the Concord Friends Meetinghouse is a recognized historic site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. This list includes buildings and places across the United States that are important to history. The meetinghouse is also part of the larger Concordville Historic District.
