Author Archives: Josh

The Blair sisters

For most of the early 20th century, Springfield was enriched by the ministry of four remarkable sisters from the Blair family. Each in her own way affected hundreds of people in the meeting and in the community. Ada Blair (1864-1956) … Continue reading

Posted in Springfield History | Comments Off on The Blair sisters

Francis T. King

Francis T. King (1819-1891) was intimately associated with the work of Baltimore Yearly Meeting for more than forty years. He was born in Baltimore in 1819, where his father, Joseph King, was engaged in business as a shipping merchant. After … Continue reading

Posted in Springfield History | Comments Off on Francis T. King

All things new

Good morning, Friends! Welcome again to this special time of worship. Ministry and Counsel had this idea that we all might enjoy being outdoors for a change. You remember, we did this, back during the pandemic. We couldn’t worship indoors, … Continue reading

Posted in Sermons | Comments Off on All things new

Joseph Moore

Allen Jay’s name is the one most people remember at Springfield, but before Allen and Martha Jay were here, Joseph Moore served as the first General Superintendent of Education hired by the Baltimore Association. Joseph Moore was a science teacher … Continue reading

Posted in Springfield History | Comments Off on Joseph Moore

I stand at the door and knock

Good morning, Friends! Thank you all so much for coming this morning. We always like to see you! For the last few months, we’ve been celebrating the 250th anniversary of Springfield. We’ve been hitting all that history stuff pretty hard … Continue reading

Posted in Sermons | Comments Off on I stand at the door and knock

A meal at Springfield in 1869

Five years after the end of the Civil War, Springfield had started rebuilding. With the help of the Baltimore Association, schools were being re-built, the Model Farm had started, and a new generation of teachers and ministers was being trained … Continue reading

Posted in Springfield History | Comments Off on A meal at Springfield in 1869

Study war no more

Good morning, Friends! Thank you all for coming to worship today. I know it’s been kind of overcast today, and many people were looking forward to sunshine for the holiday weekend. So thank you for being here today. As you … Continue reading

Posted in Sermons | Comments Off on Study war no more

Rufus King – Confederate soldier turned Quaker minister

Most people who come to Springfield Friends are familiar with Allen Jay, the Quaker minister from Indiana who came here for 8 years and helped rebuild the spiritual life, the economy and the educational system of the area. He rescued … Continue reading

Posted in Springfield History | Comments Off on Rufus King – Confederate soldier turned Quaker minister

What did we learn?

This month we’ve had a couple of all-hands-on-deck, knock-out events here at Springfield. They’ve been fun and they were exhilarating, but now we’re all kind of catching our breath. Our 250th birthday was just two weeks ago, and then the … Continue reading

Posted in Sermons | Comments Off on What did we learn?

Incident at the close of the Civil War

Springfield Monthly Meeting never closed its doors during the Civil War. Meeting was held regardless of conditions. When the war closed, troops of ragged, war-worn soldiers were struggling to get home, some with worn out horses and more walking. Often … Continue reading

Posted in Springfield History | Comments Off on Incident at the close of the Civil War