San Jose Meeting's 140th Anniversary Finale
Yearlong celebration culminates with the 141st anniversary of historic Quaker meeting house on April 26
What: Open house, potluck meal, and special events every month on 4th Sundays (details below) to celebrate the 140th anniversary of our historic Friends (Quaker) meeting house, the oldest west of Iowa. Free activities for 13 months. The grand finale includes prominent Quakers joining us on April 26, 2026. Chuck Fager, Thomas Hamm, and Bruce Folsom join us at 12:30 for a hybrid program. Get details at https://www.sanjosefriends.org/141st/.
When: Fourth Sunday of every month for a year, concludes April 26, 2026.
Where: San Jose Friends’ historic 1885 Quaker meeting house, at 1041 Morse St, San Jose, CA 95126 and adjoining property. www.sanjosefriends.org
Why: To build community, raise awareness and funds to make our historic building wheelchair accessible, and better serve the groups that use our facilities — to share our “secret society hiding in plain sight”*
Who: The public is invited. We welcome people of all faiths or none. Organized by the Religious Society of Friends in San Jose — also known as “Quakers”
Details: About San Jose Quakers: sanjosefriends.org. Wheelchair accessibility renovations for our 1885 meeting house: www.sanjosefriends.org/wheelchair-accessibility/. Donations accepted here.
Contact: [email protected]
Core Values: Community, simplicity, peace, integrity, equality, and sustainability — what Quakers call our testimonies — inform the celebration-year activities
History: Quakers first gathered in San Jose in 1861, in our building since 1885
Schedule: Monthly open house with potluck meal at 11:30 and special events that follow at noon. Optional traditional “silent” Quaker worship starts at 10 am. Visitors may attend one or all activities any 4th Sunday.
FINAL PROGRAM:
April 26: noon to 1:30 or 2 pm — Grand Finale of our celebration year with the 141st anniversary of our historic building, featuring prominent Quaker guests Chuck Fager, Thomas Hamm, and Bruce Folsom in hybrid format at 12:30. Cake and comments in person at noon. Open to Quakers near and far, as well as the general public. Get program details and register to attend online at https://www.sanjosefriends.org/141st/.