Discover the Oldest Quaker Meeting House in California

The oldest meeting house in California for the Religious Society of Friends, known as the Quakers, is located on a quiet cul-de-sac in San Jose, adjacent to Interstate 880. While many residents may have passed by the structure without recognizing its significance, it remains an active site for the San Jose Friends Meeting. The building, situated at 1041 Morse Street, has been a gathering place since 1861 and was constructed in 1885, making it the oldest Quaker meeting house in California and possibly the westernmost of its kind.

To ensure the building remains accessible to all, the Quakers are hosting a Friendship Festival on July 28. The event, which begins at noon, aims to raise funds for the installation of wheelchair-accessible bathrooms. Community members can enjoy a variety of activities, including face painting for children, food vendors offering hot dogs and baked goods, and a marketplace featuring books and other items. Performers such as the Peninsula Harmony Chorus, Scott T. Miller, and the Raging Grannies will contribute to the afternoon’s eclectic atmosphere with music spanning show tunes, doo-wop, and protest songs.

The meeting house originally lacked indoor bathrooms, but an addition was built when the structure was relocated in 1958 to accommodate the construction of Interstate 880. This addition now requires modernization to meet current accessibility standards. The San Jose Friends Meeting seeks to update the facility to better serve its congregation and the broader community.

Anna Koster, an alternate clerk with the San Jose Friends Meeting, emphasizes the importance of maintaining the building’s historical and functional integrity. The community’s support through the Friendship Festival is crucial to achieving this goal. Further details about the meeting and the event can be found on the organization’s website at www.sanjosefriends.org.

Source: Read the original report