Architecture ~ Conanicut Friends Meeting House ~ Jamestown
Conanicut Friends Meeting House (c. 1786).
Weeden Lane at North Road, Jamestown
A couple of years ago, Bear and I went to Jamestown to visit the Meeting House. Because it's a summer-only house of worship, it only offers tours as a museum a couple of times a year, so we were glad to go in while it was open for photos. Anyone is welcome to meetings, and there is a sign for newcomers to help them follow along.
This is the second meeting house built by the Society of Friends in Jamestown, and was built in 1786.
The interior retains the simple, unadorned wood benches and rails I imagine it's had since it was built (excluding renovations in 1976-77 and 1997).
As you can see, they don't forbid a comfortable cushion, but I think you have to bring your own. Which makes sense since the building is only open in the summer.
The grounds are also nice, and it's a pretty area for a drive. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you have an interest in religious or architectural history.
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From the RIHPHC State Survey: "A plain, 1-story, shingled structure, with two 4-panel doors in the south-facing, 4-bay facade. The meeting house was built by Quakers, who were among the first and the leading citizens of Conanicut. Initially, beginning as early as 1684, their meetings were held in the homes of members. In 1709-10, they erected a meeting house on Eldred Avenue at the site of the present Old Friends Burial Ground. In 1734 the meeting house was moved to its present location at the northeast corner of North Main Road and Weeden Lane. It was used for meetings until the present structure was erected about 1786.
Until the 1830s, the Friends were the only religious society on the island who had a meeting house, although there were Episcopalians by the 1830s, and the Baptists were established by the 1840s. A century later, there were no Friends among the town’s permanent residents and the meeting house was opened only from June to September for Quaker summer residents from Philadelphia."
From the Jamestown Historical Society:
"[T]he Meetinghouse was reopened in the early 1900's for summering Philadelphia Quakers, it was afforded an "indulged" status to offer worship and Quaker services without the responsibilities of committee work (Finance, Ministry and Council, etc) that is expected in year-round Religious Society of Friends' Meetings."
"In September [1997], title to the meetinghouse was transferred to the Jamestown Historical Society, with the provision that the meetinghouse would be open to the Conanicut Meeting for worship during the summers."
Weeden Lane at North Road, Jamestown
This is the second meeting house built by the Society of Friends in Jamestown, and was built in 1786.
The interior retains the simple, unadorned wood benches and rails I imagine it's had since it was built (excluding renovations in 1976-77 and 1997).
The grounds are also nice, and it's a pretty area for a drive. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you have an interest in religious or architectural history.
More...
From the RIHPHC State Survey: "A plain, 1-story, shingled structure, with two 4-panel doors in the south-facing, 4-bay facade. The meeting house was built by Quakers, who were among the first and the leading citizens of Conanicut. Initially, beginning as early as 1684, their meetings were held in the homes of members. In 1709-10, they erected a meeting house on Eldred Avenue at the site of the present Old Friends Burial Ground. In 1734 the meeting house was moved to its present location at the northeast corner of North Main Road and Weeden Lane. It was used for meetings until the present structure was erected about 1786.
Until the 1830s, the Friends were the only religious society on the island who had a meeting house, although there were Episcopalians by the 1830s, and the Baptists were established by the 1840s. A century later, there were no Friends among the town’s permanent residents and the meeting house was opened only from June to September for Quaker summer residents from Philadelphia."
From the Jamestown Historical Society:
"[T]he Meetinghouse was reopened in the early 1900's for summering Philadelphia Quakers, it was afforded an "indulged" status to offer worship and Quaker services without the responsibilities of committee work (Finance, Ministry and Council, etc) that is expected in year-round Religious Society of Friends' Meetings."
"In September [1997], title to the meetinghouse was transferred to the Jamestown Historical Society, with the provision that the meetinghouse would be open to the Conanicut Meeting for worship during the summers."
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