Third Haven Meeting House in Talbot County, Maryland
During the past 250 years since our nation’s birth, there have been things that remain the same. They are unalienable rights that have helped the United States maintain steadfastness in the midst of change and stand in the midst of chaos. We have mourned as one, many times since 1776, and we have celebrated our victories. We have not always been understood by other nations.
One church that has stood the test of time in these United States is Third Haven Meeting House, 405 South Washington Street, Easton, Maryland. They have peaceably worshipped at the same meeting place since 1681 – considered the oldest documented building in the state of Maryland and the oldest known frame church still in use in the United States. Many times, this religious group has been misunderstood through the years.
Third Haven Meeting House was built on three acres of land bought from John Edmondson by a group of Quakers – otherwise known as “The Religious Society of Friends.” William Southeby was one of the original builders of the church building. Southeby was the first native-born American to write against slavery.
But before land was bought, or building commenced, George Fox, the founder of the Quakers, visited the community in 1673. When he returned to England, he sent the Religious Society of Friends many books, which they later housed at the Third Haven Meeting House after the building's completion in 1684. The collection of books became the earliest established public library in Talbot County.
The members of the Meeting House have kept impeccable records of the Friends’ business transactions from 1676 to the present. Their historical value earned these written transactions a place in deposit at the Hall of Records in Annapolis, Maryland.
The first meeting at the Third Haven Meeting House was in the autumn of 1684. At one time or another, Quakers of note have worshipped at the meeting house, including William Penn, John Woolman, John Fothergill, Samuel Bowman, and Rufus Jones. When William Penn held a great meeting in the yard in 1770, his presence attracted a vast array of people, including Lord and Lady Baltimore.
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While some members of the Third Haven Meeting House were opposed to slavery, there remained a contingent of those among the worshippers who still owned other humans. The leadership at Third Haven began to “disown” members who owned a slave. It caused a split in the church, where some left the group. Finally, among those who were part of the Religious Society of Friends, they officially disowned slaveowners from their fellowship. Eventually, the divide regarding slave ownership was too deep; other meeting houses closed their doors, except Third Haven.
Throughout the years, various changes have been made to the building and the grounds surrounding Third Haven Meeting House. Prior to 1789, the only way to access the meeting house was by boat. In 1789, ground was purchased to create a lane for horses and buggies. In 1797, a 12-foot extension was added to the western side of the building. They also changed the entrance door. “Annie’s Cottage” was built in the 1860’s; it now serves as a workshop and storage. In 1880, a brick building was built on the site to accommodate worshippers in the winter.
In the 1940’s, the group acquired four more acres of land. “The Common Room” – a building located behind the brick building – was built in 1982 as a place to engage the community and serve as an activity space for its members. In 1990, the group faced dire straits when termites began to infest the building. With help from the Maryland Historical Trust, they lifted the church, installed a brick foundation, and then lowered it back upon the new foundation. Other than those changes, it has basically maintained the same look as when it was first built. A caretaker has lived on site since at least 1958 in a two-bedroom cottage.
During a Quaker service, members wait for a word from the Lord. If moved by the Spirit, they can speak. Because it’s unprogrammed worship, there is no lead pastor at Third Haven Meeting House. Quakers are a diverse group of people, as diverse as the citizens of the United States. Children’s programs and Worship are every Sunday at 10:00 AM. They also conduct services every Wednesday at 5:30 PM. For a tour of the facilities, call 410-822-0293.
