View source for Horsch, Michael (1871-1949)

Michael Horsch (1871-1949), an outstanding elder and leader of the Mennonite churches of the [[Verband deutscher Mennonitengemeinden (Federation of Mennonite Churches)|Badischer Verband]], [[Germany|South Germany]], was born of a long line of elders and preachers of two old Swiss-Baden Mennonite families, which settled in [[Giebelstadt (Freistaat Bayern, Germany)|Giebelstadt]] near [[Würzburg (Freistaat Bayern, Germany)|Würzburg,]] Germany, soon after 1800 ([[Horsch family|Horsch]] and [[Landes (Landis) family|Landes]]). Born the son of Elder Jakob Horsch, 15 January 1871, he grew up on the estate at Gelchsheim rented by his farmer father, which he with his mother took over at the death of his father when he was only 17. The rest of his life Michael Horsch was a farmer, purchasing the large estate of [[Hellmannsberg (Freistaat Bayern, Germany)|Hellmannsberg]] near [[Ingolstadt (Freistaat Bayern, Germany)|Ingolstadt ]]where he lived from 1914 to his death. He was married to Maria Schmutz in 1898; one of their 10 children is Elder Hellmut Horsch of Ingolstadt. Michael was ordained preacher of the [[Würzburg-Giebelstadt (Freistaat Bayern, Germany)|Giebelstadt-Würzburg congregation]] in 1909 and elder of the Ingolstadt congregation in 1923.

Michael Horsch, though without formal higher education, displayed a remarkable breadth of interest, vision, and ability as a leader. Conservative in theology, and a devoted Mennonite, he was not denominationally narrow nor bound by tradition. He founded (January 1922) and led as chairman until his death the South German Mennonite relief organization known as [[Mennonitisches Hilfswerk Christenpflicht|Christenpflicht]]. He was a prime mover in the founding of the [[Thomashof (Baden-Württemberg, Germany)|Bibelheim Thomashof]] near [[Durlach (Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany)|Durlach]]. He was an active promoter of the deaconess work and a supporter of missions and evangelism. Many Bible conferences were held at Hellmannsberg. He died 13 October 1949 and was buried at Hellmannsberg.
= Bibliography =
Landes, Jakob. "Michael Horsch, aus seinem Leben und Lebenswerk." <em>Gemeinde-Kalendar </em>(1954): 19-53.
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