By: Pat Long

In my study of the notebooks of the Sisters Aid Society of the Richland Church of the Brethren between 1914-1937, I was interested to learn about the role of quiltmaking as a source of revenue for philanthropic activities in the church and community. During this period of time a total of 53 women were listed as members of the organization. Between the years 1927-1937, it was recorded that 114 quilts were quilted. Prior to that, from 1914-1927, quilting was listed as the predominant activity, but records were not kept of clients for the quilting. The funds raised from these efforts of quiltmaking were used to enhance the physical and emotional needs of the church and local community as well as aiding the educational programs and world mission programs sponsored by the church.

The women quilting in this church were part of a larger network of church women quilting throughout the national brotherhood of the Church of the Brethren. These women and their counterparts in other churches through the United Stated were one of the strongest links in the chain of the continuation of quiltmaking to the present day.