Who We Are

Our life is love, and peace, and tenderness . . . praying one for another,
and helping one another up with a tender hand.

Central Philadelphia Quaker Meeting is a large, urban meeting, diverse in many ways, and we welcome visitors.

Our Welcoming Community: Central Philadelphia Quaker Meeting warmly welcomes folks of all ages, races, social circumstances, gender identities, and sexual orientations into our worship and fellowship.

Worship & Spirituality: Unlike the worship services common in other churches, we wait in silent expectation for the Spirit's presence and guidance. Click to explore further the depth of our worship and spirituality. Visit our Worship & Spirituality page.

Community Engagement: Friends have historically carried deep concerns for peace, equality, social justice, and earthcare. Our meeting offers spiritual grounding for social action, we support several members' social concern ministries, and we work with local community groups towards these goals. Visit our Mending the World page to learn more.

Community Life: While worship is central, our meeting is also an active community with a range of activities fostering connection and shared experiences. Visit our Community Life page.

Membership & Inclusion: You don't need to be a member to attend our worship or our activities. If and when you find you are drawn to the Quaker way, we warmly invite you to join us formally. Visit our Membership page.

Quaker Heritage: The Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers, emerged in England in the 1650s under the prophetic leadership of a man named George Fox and others who shared his experience that “Christ has come to teach his people himself.” In the centuries since, Quakers have branched in several directions, from strongly evangelical churches with a conservative theology, paid pastors, and programmed religious services, to meetings like ours, with a more liberal and inclusive theology, no paid pastors, and silent waiting worship.

Leadership & Governance: Central Philadelphia Meeting operates without professional clergy. We manage our affairs through committees and reach decisions in our business meetings when the community comes to unity under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

About Quakerism: We have a wealth of resources for those who want to learn more about Quakerism.

Discover the unique blend of spirituality, community, and social change witness that defines Central Philadelphia Meeting.