07/29/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Friends Church Midwest (formerly Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends)
Oskaloosa, Iowa
641-673-9717 | [email protected]
Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends Adopts New Name: Friends Church Midwest
OSKALOOSA, Iowa — During its Annual Sessions held July 24–25 on the campus of William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa, representatives of Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends officially approved a decision to operate under a new name: Friends Church Midwest.
The new name has been officially filed with and approved by the Iowa Secretary of State, marking a significant milestone in the organization's history.
This update reflects a modern vision to align the organization's name with its identity, mission, and regional footprint while honoring its deep Quaker heritage. Operating as Friends Church Midwest offers a clearer, more accessible identity for the congregations and communities it serves.
Under its new name, Friends Church Midwest will continue its mission to co-labor with Christ in the work of the Gospel by supporting local churches through discipleship and leadership development, fostering spiritual growth, and engaging in meaningful community outreach across the region.
First established in 1863 following the arrival of Quaker settlers in Iowa in the 1830s, Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends has served as a spiritual foundation for Christian Quaker congregations for over 160 years. Headquartered in Oskaloosa, the yearly meeting has historically played a central role in church planting, Christian education, including the founding of Penn College (now William Penn University) in 1873, and domestic and international mission work. Adopted at its 164thAnnual Session, the name Friends Church Midwest honors this long-standing heritage while looking ahead to the future.
For more information, please contact the FCM Ministry Office at 641-673-9717 or email [email protected]. Friends Church Midwest will continue rolling out updates, including a new website, soon. In the meantime, news and resources remain available at iaym.org.
About Friends Church Midwest
Friends Church Midwest (formerly Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends) is a regional network of 27 evangelically minded Christian Quaker churches dedicated to the work of the Gospel, community engagement, and spiritual growth across the Midwest. Headquartered in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the organization supports local congregations in their mission to share Christ's love and make the kingdom of God tangible in every community they serve and beyond.
