As a
denomination, Friends have an impressive history, not because of the name, the
technique of the doctrine, but because God has blessed those who have given
themselves to Him in sacrificial service.
The Friends Church began more than three hundred years ago in England under the leadership of George Fox, a man who experienced personal relationship with Jesus Christ and spent his life sharing this experience with others. Those early friends made great contributions to the spiritual and social needs of their country, religious liberty Christian education, and care for the suffering.
Before long, the Friends (also called Quakers) began coming to the new world along with the other colonists and soon there were thousands of Friends in America. In 1682 the colony of Pennsylvania was founded by William Penn, an outstanding English Quaker, as a refuge from persecution for fellow Quakers.
When other Americans moved west, so did the Friends, taking with them their faith. Among the first priorities for these pioneers was the establishment of a group for worship and a meetinghouse in which to conduct such worship. By 1812, Friends in Ohio had united to form Ohio Yearly Meeting of Friends. They held their annual meetings at the Mt. Pleasant Yearly Meeting House for many years. Later, Damascus became the headquarters and place of meeting. In 1965, the Church moved its annual sessions at Malone College in Canton. Currently, the headquarters is located at the World Outreach Center in Canton, Ohio. Additionally, annual sessions are held each July in Canton, Ohio.
In 1971, the name Ohio Yearly Meeting was changed. It is now known as the Evangelical Friends Church - Eastern Region and it participates actively in a larger group of Friends across the nation known as the Evangelical Friends International (EFI).
The Friends Church began more than three hundred years ago in England under the leadership of George Fox, a man who experienced personal relationship with Jesus Christ and spent his life sharing this experience with others. Those early friends made great contributions to the spiritual and social needs of their country, religious liberty Christian education, and care for the suffering.
Before long, the Friends (also called Quakers) began coming to the new world along with the other colonists and soon there were thousands of Friends in America. In 1682 the colony of Pennsylvania was founded by William Penn, an outstanding English Quaker, as a refuge from persecution for fellow Quakers.
When other Americans moved west, so did the Friends, taking with them their faith. Among the first priorities for these pioneers was the establishment of a group for worship and a meetinghouse in which to conduct such worship. By 1812, Friends in Ohio had united to form Ohio Yearly Meeting of Friends. They held their annual meetings at the Mt. Pleasant Yearly Meeting House for many years. Later, Damascus became the headquarters and place of meeting. In 1965, the Church moved its annual sessions at Malone College in Canton. Currently, the headquarters is located at the World Outreach Center in Canton, Ohio. Additionally, annual sessions are held each July in Canton, Ohio.
In 1971, the name Ohio Yearly Meeting was changed. It is now known as the Evangelical Friends Church - Eastern Region and it participates actively in a larger group of Friends across the nation known as the Evangelical Friends International (EFI).
Our
Heritage
Heritage
