Mercer Street Friends Center facts for kids
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Mercer Street Friends Center
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Mercer County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 151 Mercer Street Trenton, New Jersey |
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| Built | 1858 |
| Part of | Mill Hill Historic District (ID77000880) |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000505 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 12, 1971 |
| Designated CP | December 12, 1977 |
The Mercer Street Friends Center is a historic building in Trenton, New Jersey. It is located at 151 Mercer Street in the Mill Hill area. This building was constructed in 1858.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 12, 1971. This means it's an important place because of its design, its connection to a religious group, and its role in local history. In 1977, it also became part of the Mill Hill Historic District. Today, the building is home to the main offices of Mercer Street Friends. This is a group connected to the Quakers that helps people in Trenton.
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History of the Mercer Street Friends Center
Early Days of Trenton and the Quakers
When the first Quakers arrived in this area in 1679, Trenton was known as "The Falls." A Quaker named Mahlon Stacy helped start the Chesterfield Monthly Meeting in 1684. This meeting included Quakers from nearby towns like Crosswicks and Trenton.
In 1686, Quakers in what would become Trenton started the first local charity. They helped other Quakers who were having a tough time. Mahlon Stacy gave corn from his mill to help. This mill is how the Mill Hill area got its name! Later, in 1714, William Trent bought land from the Stacy family. The town was then called Trent's-town, and eventually, Trenton.
The Quaker Split and Building the Center
In 1827, the Society of Friends (Quakers) in the United States split into two main groups. One group was called Orthodox, and the other was called Liberal or Hicksite. The Quakers in Trenton had a meeting house built in 1739. The Hicksite group kept this old building.
The Orthodox Friends had been meeting in people's homes. They decided to build a new meeting house. Construction of the brick building at 151 Mercer Street began in 1857. It was finished in 1858. This is the building we now know as the Mercer Street Friends Center.
Fun and Games in the Graveyard
Even a serious place like a graveyard can be interesting! In 1917, a newspaper shared memories from Howell Quigley. He remembered being part of a group of boys from the Third Ward. They called themselves the "turn-cap-follow-me clique."
These boys would run through the neighborhood, climbing fences and yards. They would even disturb the Quaker Church lot. They climbed onto the roof of the building and explored everywhere! It sounds like they were quite adventurous. Mr. Quigley grew up to be a successful businessman. He lived in the Mill Hill area his whole life.
Coming Together Again
In 1955, the Orthodox and Hicksite Friends in Philadelphia reunited. Two years later, in 1957, the Chesterfield Monthly Meeting decided to fix up the Mercer Street meeting house. They wanted to use it for activities that showed "Friends social concerns." This means using the building to help the community. Today, it serves as the main office for Mercer Street Friends, continuing that tradition of helping others.
See also
