The Chappaqua Friends Meeting was built in 1753 by a group of transplanted Long Islanders who set up the first Quaker community in Westchester County in New York’s Hudson Valley. Long Island Quakers became increasing anti-slavery in the course of the 1700s, and so did those worshipping in Chappaqua. In 1767 the Meeting agreed that it was against their religion to own or buy and sell other human beings and it came out against slavery. Members were instructed to free anyone held as slaves.
Perhaps influenced by their attachment to Long Island, the Meeting became a Hicksite center in Westchester. “Hicksites” were followers of Elias Hicks from Hicksville and Jericho on Long island who engaged in non-violent actions against slavery. Some members of the congregation sheltered escaped slaves. The congregation offered support to a growing community of African Americans in “The Hills” nearby. In 1827, the meeting house split religiously. Hicksites continued to used the Meeting House, but more conservative “Orthodox” Quakers set up a rival meeting house.
The Meeting House is more than 250 years old. There have been several additions attached to the central building, mostly constructed at the time of the Revolution.
While the Quakers did not participate in the armed conflict, the Meeting House was used as a hospital after the Battle of White Plains in October, 1776.
The area around the Meeting House has been designated a National Historic District. There are a dozen buildings in the District that date back to before the Civil War, mostly built by Quakers. The Meeting House is at 420 Quaker Road. There is a parking lot. The building is only open on Sundays.
As is typical of Quaker Meetings Houses from that era, it is simple with no decoration. It appears to be a large farmhouse, rather than a church. Benches are scattered for members to contemplate or exchange thoughts.
There is a sign designating this as a National Historical Landmark.
Behind the Meeting House is a simple cemetery.
Inside the Meeting House, there are no paintings or statues. Just moveable benches for congregants on Sunday. In the years up to the Civil War, speakers would come to the Meeting House to inform the congregants of the latest Abolitionist crusades.
Unlike many churches of the day, Quakers could express their views during their Meeting. In the early 1800s this led to a split in the congregation with the Hicksites gaining control of the Meeting House and more conservative “Orthodox” Quakers setting up their own meeting house. Esther and Moses Pierce were Hicksites and they provided a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Unlike many other churches, Quakers encouraged women to express their views during their services.
The building is appropriately marked.
For all of its simplicity, the Meeting House is warm and inviting.
These non-violent acts gave shelter to refugees from slavery, and helped end slavery in New York, but slavery was only abolished through a violent war.
All color photos were taken by Pat Young. To see more sites Pat visited CLICK HERE for Google Earth view.
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