Birmingham Friends Meeting was established in 1690, shortly after William Penn founded Pennsylvania. Friends worshipped in the cabin of William Brinton until the first meetinghouse, a log structure, was completed in 1722. A school, also made of logs, was built in 1756. A cemetery was established and a stone wall, which still stands today, was constructed around it. In 1763, the meetinghouse was replaced by the stone structure we use today.

On September 11, 1777, the Battle of the Brandywine raged around the Meetinghouse. In the days before the battle, Continental soldiers used the meetinghouse as a hospital for treatment of the sick. During the battle, Continental soldiers used the cemetery wall as breastworks against the flanking action of the British under General Howe. After overwhelming the Continental army, the British took over the meetinghouse and used it as a hospital. Dead soldiers from both sides are buried in a common grave within the Meeting cemetery.

Since those early days, the meetinghouse has been expanded to accommodate a growing membership. The meetinghouse was enlarged in 1818. Similar stone was used and the addition included two windows, two doors and a porch. The log school house was replaced by the existing octagonal building in 1819. This was used as a school, on and off, until 1905. A modern kitchen and education wing were added to the meetinghouse in 1968.

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Location
1245 Birmingham Road
West Chester, PA 19382

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Contact Information
Phone: 610-793-1734
Email: Info@BirminghamFriends.org

Hours of Meeting
Sunday worship at 10:00 AM. Sunday school for school aged children and childcare is available for infants and toddlers.