Beacon Hill Friends House

Beacon Hill Friends House, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is a nonprofit organization grounded in Quaker values. It serves as a center for Quaker learning and action, hosts Beacon Hill Friends Meeting, and is a residential intentional community.

History and Mission

Founded in 1957, Beacon Hill Friends House is situated in a historic building that dates back to 1805-1806, originally designed by Charles Bullfinch. The organization seeks to embody the Quaker principles of faith, simplicity, integrity, community, and social responsibility in order to nurture and call forth the Light in all individuals[1][2].

The mission is fulfilled through several key activities:

• Providing a center where individuals can meet, worship, and learn.
• Advancing Quaker principles, offering opportunities for leadership development, personal deepening, and collective action.
• Maintaining a diverse, intentional residential community guided by Quaker values, which can accommodate up to 20 residents for stays of up to four years[1][3].

Programs and Activities

Beacon Hill Friends House undertakes various community programs and activities. It hosts lectures and educational events, contributing to its mission of education and fostering community growth[4]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization innovated by moving some of its programs online, introducing series like "Midweek: Experiments in Faithfulness," which offer facilitated spiritual practices[3].

Community and Governance

The house operates according to Quaker principles of governance, emphasizing consensus decision-making and communal responsibility. Residents, staff, and the board of managers work collaboratively to ensure the community thrives, maintaining a focus on growth and continuous improvement[1][2].

Acknowledgment of Indigenous Lands

Beacon Hill Friends House acknowledges its presence on the ancestral and unceded lands of the Massachusett and Pawtucket peoples, expressing gratitude and solidarity with indigenous communities[2].

[1] https://www.friendsjournal.org/a-utopia-in-progress/ [2] https://bhfh.org/about/ [3] https://www.friendsjournal.org/beacon-hill-friends-house-october-2020/ [4] https://www.jeanschnell.com/blog/2014/6/beacon-hill-friends-meetingroom [5] https://bhfh.org