A Brief History of Evanston Monthly Meeting of Friends

A Brief History of Evanston Monthly Meeting of Friends

Evanston Meeting was started 1936 when Friends from the North Shore area (who comprised about half of the members of the old Chicago Monthly Meeting located on Indiana Avenue) decided they would like to have a Meeting closer to their homes.� The old building was sold and the money divided between those who remained on the south side of Chicago and built the current building at 108th Street, and those who purchased the current Meeting House in Evanston. This was a friendly move by both groups of Friends. The meeting house was purchased from Evanston Christian Church and was perfectly suited to the needs of Evanston Meeting, with its simplicity of architecture and natural Quaker atmosphere. Very few changes had to be made to the red brick structure, which was built in 1910 and had a beautiful side yard.

Milton Hadley served as pastor of both Meetings for the first year or so, followed briefly by Charles Thomas.� In 1938, Lewis Benson was called to serve as a pastoral secretary, and Evanston Meeting became an unprogrammed meeting, with all being free to participate vocally and otherwise, as led by the Spirit of Christ.� A succession of dedicated pastoral secretaries followed, which continued until 1971, when all members took up their share of duties.�

Membership in two Yearly Meetings "Western and Illinois" waxed and waned throughout the ensuing years.� The subject was studied intensively in 1959, and finally in 1972, Evanston Meeting took dual membership in both Western and Illinois Yearly Meetings, assuming responsibilities in both.� Illinois Yearly Meeting is a member of the larger umbrella of Friends General Conference while Western Yearly Meeting is a member of� Friends United Meeting. This continued until 2002, when Evanston Meeting was released from membership by Western Yearly Meeting following differences of opinion on the issues of authority� and same-gender marriages.

Evanston Meeting is made up on many kinds of Friends.� Varied backgrounds enrich the Meeting with its unprogrammed approach to Quaker worship.� This so-called Quaker melting pot has offered a real opportunity to practice love, forbearance, and forgiveness, and to experience the joy of working together.

In earlier years, Evanston Meeting followed the advices given in Western Yearly Meeting's Faith and Practice.� However, Evanston has generally used the Philadelphia Faith and Practice as well as Great Britain's Faith and Practice as a guide.� The meeting does not feel bound by any particular Faith and Practice, as it strives to be led by the Spirit rather than the Letter.� At times, however, guidelines are helpful.� Through silent worship and waiting upon the Spirit, the meeting strives to discern the sense of the meeting before taking actions.� It takes a strong meeting to absorb all Friends into a loving, working fellowship, but that is the goal, and although not without growing pains, seems constant.

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