Pipe Creek Friends

In 1770, Elizabeth Farquhar planted maple trees on the grounds of the soon-to-be-built Pipe Creek Meeting House in Union Bridge. Using bricks from England, the foundation of the house of worship was laid in 1771 , with the structure completed in 1772, and the oldest Quaker meeting west of the Susquehanna has been open ever since.

"It has never been closed or 'layed down,' " reported Frank Reitemeyer, co-clerk of the Pipe Creek Religious Society of Friends. "It was down to two people when I came in 2001. We are now between 15 and 20 members on a Sunday. We are growing," he said.

The Union Bridge Area Heritage Committee gathered at the historic site on Quaker Hill Road for "a night of history," said Joan McKee, of the committee.

Generally, meetings of the Union Bridge Area Heritage Committee take place the first Thursday of every other month at Union Bridge Town Hall on West Locust Street. The next meeting will be on Nov. 6. In a unique departure from the scheduled meeting, McKee said, the Quaker meeting "offered to host us here, and we accepted."

The small, unassuming brick building on a knoll outside of town is "something that's been in our community forever and ever," said Jim Rowe, president of the Union Bridge Area Heritage Committee. He recalled childhood memories of passing the building while riding his bike and wondering just what it was.

A DVD produced by Jo Israelson, who attends the Pipe Creek Meeting, presented a brief history of the town, the place of worship and the Quakers or "Friends" who meet there. "We meet in silence every Sunday at 10 a.m.," said Gwen Handler a member of the Pipe Creek Meeting. "Anyone can speak out of the silence," added Handler. "You never know quite where the meeting is going to go," she said.

Reitemeyer further explained that Quakers believe "we are the church, not the building. It's where we meet."

He credits C.J. and Emily Swet for keeping the meeting alive. He said he first visited seven years ago because "the front door was open." The Swets had faithfully worshipped by themselves in silence, believing that "you've got to keep the door open every Sunday, because they will come." And come, they did.

Just last month a wedding was held at the Friends Meeting House, with another planned for next year. And the austere building, with its simple windows, wood stove and hard benches, is warmed by the presence of about two dozen worshipers each Sunday.

"Each person can have direct access to divine wisdom," said Reitemeyer: After all, God directed the faithful to "be still and know that I am."

"Regardless of your religious persuasion," said Reitemeyer, "an hour of silence is good for the soul."

The Pipe Creek Friends Meeting House is at 455 Quaker Hill Road, Union Bridge.

"Out of the Silence: The Quakers of Pipe Creek Meeting" can be purchased in DVD format for $10.