Support Accessibility to Historic Quaker Meeting House

Help Us Embrace Inclusion and Preserve History:

In the heart of Silicon Valley - in the South San Francisco Bay Area - stands a silent testament to the history of the Religious Society of Friends in San Jose, CA: The Quaker Meeting House, built in 1885. Its sturdy wooden structure and peaceful presence has witnessed generations of reflection, fellowship, and social justice activism. But as time has marched on, our beloved Meeting House has fallen behind the times, making it inaccessible to many in our community.

Our Goal: Create a Welcoming and Accessible Space for All

We are launching a GoFundMe Campaign to raise money for essential renovations. By upgrading, we will ensure everyone can fully participate in the rich spiritual and cultural life that this historic building offers.

Our Vision:

Two gently sloping wheelchair ramps will make it easy for those with mobility challenges to enter the meeting space with ease. We intend to build two spacious wheelchair-accessible bathrooms complete with grab bars, leveled sinks, a shower, and ample turning space.

One of the renovated bathrooms will include an infant changing station, making it convenient for families with young children to attend services and events.

Join Us on This Journey:

This project is not just about brick and mortar; it's about upholding Quaker values of equality, community, and social justice. By making our Meeting House accessible to all, we honor our heritage while building a more inclusive future for everyone to fully participate in the life of our community.

Our Challenge:

San Jose Friends Meeting has a time-limited opportunity to raise enough money to begin construction on this project. Now that the planning stage is finally coming to a close, cost continues to rise over original estimates. We invite you to become a part of this meaningful endeavor by making a generous donation that will directly support these needed changes.

More

Quakers in San Jose since 1861

Quaker meeting on the West Coast

1861: Quakers began assembling in private homes in San Jose, thereby establishing what was probably the first Quaker meeting on the West Coast (“meeting” translates to congregation or church).

1885: Four families financed a new meetinghouse: "Erected In five weeks [March and April], its plain unassuming architecture exemplifies the theology of the Quakers.”— Library of Congress.

San Jose Friends meetinghouse is thought to have been one of the first Quaker meetinghouses west of the Rockies.

1889: The meeting was officially incorporated as “The College Park Association of Friends.”

By 1906: A vestibule in front and a room at the back for socializing and eating were added to the building. (Herbert C. Jones wrote of his family staying in the back room following the great 1906 earthquake.)

1958: Meetinghouse was moved 200 feet to make way for construction of Highway 17 (now Interstate 880), and bathrooms added at the back. Address since has been 1041 Morse Street.

2015: Name legally changed to “San Jose Friends Meeting”

2024: Final architectural drawings completed for planned wheelchair accessibility for the 1885 building and accessible bathrooms. Permits and funding will follow.

July 28, 2024: Friendship Festival, open to all, noon to 3:30, with free admission, includes entertainment and kids’ zone. Sale of baked goods, books, hot dogs that day support the wheelchair accessibility project.

Our meetinghouse has been in use since April 26, 1885. The facilities are also used by community groups. Over the years, those have included neighborhood associations, ACLU, Sufis, Buddhists, Ethical Cultural Society, Grandmothers Outside, self-help and recovery groups, and many others.

Library of Congress: https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/ca/ca0900/ca0963/data/ca0963data.pdf

Online Archives of California: https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt696nf4k1/

San Jose Friends Meeting (Quakers)

of the Religious Society of Friends

1041 Morse St, San Jose, CA 95126

https://www.sanjosefriends.org

.

Thank you!

The SJFM Wheelchair Access Project Team

What People Are Saying

“The Quaker meeting house has outlasted everything in San Jose. The history is out there for all to discover. Just follow the porchlight.”

Gary Singh, Historian, San Jose Metro, January, 2023

“Meetings have been held weekly on Sunday at 10 am for over a century. The service is a gathering of people who sit in silent worship together for an hour. The congregation is very warm and welcoming”.

Marcia, Charlottesville, North Carolina

Please Spread the Word!