Raisin Valley Friends Meetinghouse facts for kids
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Raisin Valley Friends Meetinghouse
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3552 N. Adrian Highway Adrian Charter Township, Michigan |
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| Built | 1835 |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002847 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 28, 1982 |
The Raisin Valley Friends Meetinghouse is a very old church building. It is located in Adrian Charter Township, Michigan. This special place was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Later, it became a Michigan Historic Site in 1992.
This meetinghouse is home to Michigan's oldest Quaker group. This group started way back in 1831. It is also the second oldest church building in Michigan that is still used today. Only the Mission Church on Mackinac Island is older, built in 1829.
Contents
History of the Meetinghouse
How the Quakers Started Here
In 1831, Quaker missionaries traveled to Michigan. Missionaries are people who spread their religious beliefs. They started two Quaker groups, also called "meetings." One of these groups became the Raisin Valley Friends.
At first, the Raisin Valley Friends met in a simple log cabin. But by 1834, their group had grown quite large. They needed a bigger, permanent place to meet.
Building the First Church
A local settler named David Baker gave them some land. It was about six acres. The group raised $800 to build their new church. This church opened its doors in 1835.
A Stop on the Underground Railroad
The church was against slavery. This belief is called "abolitionism." Because of this, the meetinghouse became an important stop on Michigan's Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a secret network. It helped enslaved people escape to freedom.
Important abolitionists were part of this church. Charles and Laura Smith Haviland started the Raisin Institute here. A poet and abolitionist named Elizabeth Margaret Chandler was also a member.
Changes Over the Years
Over time, the building had some updates. In 1947, a basement was added. A new section was built in 1953. In 1961, a Sunday School area was added. A front porch was put on in the late 1960s. The Raisin Valley Friends Church still uses this building today.
What the Meetinghouse Looks Like
The Raisin Valley Friends Meetinghouse is a simple wooden church. It looks like many churches built in the early 1800s. Even with the additions, it still looks much like it did originally.
It is a single-story building. Its outside walls are made of overlapping wooden boards. It has a classic-looking roof that slopes down on two sides, like a triangle. The main entrance is at one end, under a porch. The windows are similar to the original ones. They are the same size and in the same places.
