The authoritative source on
  early churches of New Jersey

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   Photographic Inventory

Friends of Upper Evesham [Orthodox]
Medford, Burlington County

This large meeting house on Union Street, erected in 1814, became the property of the Orthodox majority following the schism in the Friends in 1827-1828. The Society of Friends in Medford actually began in 1759.
      There are some variations in the pent roof, and the addition to the left in the photograph is later, but in other respects the building is clearly in the Quaker tradition.

This account from the Medford Historical Society adds some information:
The followers of George Fox organized the Society of Friends in l759 at Upper Evesham. This site was the result of 17 deeds dating between l759 and 1852. The first Friends' Meeting was held in l761, and occurred in a schoolhouse located south of the present meeting house. Elizabeth Collins was the first recorded minister and served as same for 52 years. In July, l812, a committee was appointed to consider alternatives to the frame building. The first meeting was held in the new building on Feb. 15, l815, even though the building was not yet fininshed. The worshippers had to walk a plank from curb to door. After the completion of the meetinghouse, trustees solicited contributions toward purchasing a fire engine. During 1845–47 lobbies were added, new porches were built and the graveyard was enlarged. In l9ll, the old part of the graveyard was investigated for old stones. The oldest one found is marked M.S. l759, believed to be the grave of Mark Stratton.

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Copyright (c) 2001 Frank L. Greenagel