Chesterfield Monthly Meeting

“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”  John 15:14

The Quaker Meeting House in Chesterhill, is located within the corporation limits on State Route 555. Quakers settled the village (originally Chesterfield) in the early 1830’s, built the Meeting House in 1839, and have worshiped there continuously since then.

Worship at Chesterfield (the Quakers kept the original name) is un-programmed in the manner of Christ’s early disciples.  We speak, pray, sing, or read scripture as we are led by the Holy Spirit. Quakers believe that all are ministers, and in Jesus’ promise: “whenever two or more are gathered together in my name, there am I.”  Matthew 18:20

Quakers revere the Old and New Testaments.  We respect the beliefs of others but do not follow a liturgy in worship, do not take ‘offerings’ or recite creeds. Members make contributions to the Meeting as they are led by the Spirit.

Quakers believe in spiritual baptism and communion.  We enter the Meeting House and sit quietly, center down (put worldly things out of mind), and wait expectantly for the Spirit to baptize and commune with us.

Quakers were abolitionists and the Chesterfield Meeting was a ‘station’ on the Underground Railroad.  The historic marker near the Meeting House recognizes Chesterfield Quakers who were active in the anti-slavery movement. Recently, Chesterfield Quakers contributed toward establishing the Multicultural Center, located in a historic Quaker –built house on the corner of Marion Street and SR 555.  We are sensitive to the rights of Native Americans and try to live peacefully with all people, as did our early leaders, George Fox, Margaret Fell, and William Penn.

Quakers are pacifists and we treasure our peace testimony.  The mantra, War is Not the Answer, is commonly seen on Quaker-owned vehicles.  Quakers stress simplicity in all things. We encourage life-long education, support the arts, work for equality among people of all creeds, colors, and races, and have a deep respect for nature and all God’s creatures.

Through the Friends Committee on National Legislation, a nonpartisan organization of lobbyists on Capitol Hill, we work to advance policies that emphasize integrity, simplicity, and peace and that eliminate inequities and divisions in our country and around the world.

We depart from worship each First Day, attempting to express the testimonies in our daily lives, “to let our lives speak,” as we come into contact with others in the wider world.

Visitors are warmly welcomed to join us in worship.