Quakers

Quakers (or Friends) are members of a group of religious Christian movements which is known as the Religious Society of Friends in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and parts of North America; and known as the Friends Church in Africa, Asia, South America and parts of the US. The movements were originally, and are still predominantly based on Christianity. Members of the movements profess the priesthood of all believers, a doctrine derived from the First Epistle of Peter. They include those with evangelical, holiness, liberal, and traditional Quaker understandings of Christianity. To differing extents, the different movements that make up the Religious Society of Friends/Friends Church avoid creeds and hierarchical structures. In 2007, there were approximately 359,000 adult Quakers.

Around 79% of Quakers worldwide belong to the 'evangelical' and 'programmed' branches of Quakerism – these Quakers worship in services with singing and a prepared message from the Bible, coordinated by a pastor. Around 11% of Friends practice waiting worship, or unprogrammed worship (more commonly known today as Meeting for Worship), where the order of service is not planned in advance, is predominantly silent, and may include unprepared vocal ministry from those present. Some meetings of both types have Recorded Ministers in their meetings—Friends recognised for their gift of vocal ministry.

Friends Church (Yorba Linda)

Friends Church (formerly Yorba Linda Friends Church) is an evangelical Christian megachurch located in the upscale Orange County city of Yorba Linda, California. The church is affiliated with the Evangelical Friends International denomination. With weekly attendance averaging in excess of 4,000, it is the largest Quaker church in the world and one of the largest churches in Southern California. In addition, the church's worship center (completed in 2005) is one of the largest theaters in California, with a capacity of over 3,000. In 2009, the church was ranked the 54th fastest-growing church in the United States.

History

On June 4, 1911 community residents convened to plan the construction of the first church in Yorba Linda to offer Christian education to local children. In 1912, at a cost of $1,513.63, the Friends Church was organized and built on School Street . The charter members included Frank A. Nixon and Hannah M. Nixon, parents to future United States President Richard M. Nixon. The original structure is now the First Baptist Church.

Friends Church (Maryville, Tennessee)

Friends Church is a historic church at 314 W. Broadway in Maryville, in the U.S. state of Tennessee.

It was built in 1871 as a meetinghouse for the local congregation of the Society of Friends (Quakers). The Quakers were an important group in Maryville in the 19th century that played a major role in building the community's early schools, including the Freedman's Institute and Maryville Normal School. The single-story brick church is of Italianate design and is laid out on an ell plan.

Since 1940 the building has been used for Episcopal worship. It currently houses St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.

It is the oldest brick church in Blount County, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. It became a Blount County historic landmark in 2007.

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