The Centennial of Miami Monthly Meeting in 1903 ~ 100 Years of Ministry

The Red Brick Orthodox Quaker Meetinghouse in 1903
The White Brick Hicksite Quaker Meetinghouse in 1803
Both Orthodox and Hicksite Friends united to celebrate the 100th aniversary of the founding of Miami Monthly Meeting in Waynesville, Ohio (1803-1903). The group photograph was taken in front of the 1811 White Brick Meetinghouse. The photographs have been taken from the 1903 Atlas, Centennial Edition, of Warren County, Ohio.

The presiding officers during the 1903 Centennial of Miami Monthly Meeting were Friends Seth Hocket Ellis (representing the Orthodox) and Charles A. Brown (representing the Hicksite). The celebration of the Friends Centennial is mentioned in the 1903 diary of Blanche A. Riley of Clearcreek Township, Warren County, Ohio (Printed by the Warren County Genealogical Society, 1998), p. 49:

“Fri., Oct. 16th: Fair but quite chilly. Father and I attended the Friends Centennial at the Hicksite or white church in Waynesville this PM. Very large audience almost 800 present. Both the Orthodox and Hicksite joined together and Seth H. Ellis and Chas. A. Brown were the presiding officers. Mother stood yesterday’s trip very well but was to tired for to-day’s trip.

Sat. Oct. 17th, 1903: Father, Mother and myself attended the Centennial all day, heard several good speakers. Prof. E. J. Russell of Earlham College, Richmond, Ind., Dr. J. S. Walton, Pres of George School, Penn., Pres A. J. Brown, Wilmington College, Wil., O. The Message of Quakerism to the World. “God is Love, and he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God and God in him.” Reported to have served 400 to dinner yesterday in the red brick or Orthodox and surely more than that to-day. Winter hats and wraps have now been donned as to-day it was quite chilly.”

Also see, Quakers 100 Anniversary Of Miami Monthly Meeting In 1903, an article by Dallas Bogan, http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohwarren/Bogan/bogan167.htm

The book that was published by Miami Monthly Meeting to celebrate the Centennial is online at Ancestry.com: Proceedings, Centennial Anniversary, Miami Monthly Meeting : Waynesville, Ohio, 10th month, 16-17, 1903, http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/Default.aspx?htx=BookList&dbid=27940&ti=0.

Also see Cincinnati Enquirer article, Waynesville preserves Quaker roots: Meeting houses on National Register, http://www.enquirer.com/editions/1998/10/28/loc_friends28.html