Groffdale Mennonite Church (Leola, Pennsylvania, USA) - Revision history

SamSteiner at 13:37, 13 April 2026

2026-04-13T13:37:36Z

SamSteiner: updated link

2025-11-21T15:35:56Z

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SamSteiner: replaced article

2025-03-30T13:20:06Z

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SamSteiner: Text replacement - "[[LMC: A Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches" to "[[LMC: a Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches"

2023-08-08T19:18:44Z

Text replacement - "[[LMC: A Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches" to "[[LMC: a Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches"

SamSteiner: Text replacement - "[[Lancaster Mennonite Conference (Mennonite Church USA)" to "[[LMC: A Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches"

2023-08-08T18:56:13Z

Text replacement - "[[Lancaster Mennonite Conference (Mennonite Church USA)" to "[[LMC: A Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches"

SamSteiner: Text replacement - "Category:Lancaster Mennonite Conference Congregations" to "Category:LMC: a Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches Congregations"

2023-08-07T19:45:28Z

Text replacement - "Category:Lancaster Mennonite Conference Congregations" to "Category:LMC: a Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches Congregations"

RichardThiessen: Text replace - "Address:" to "'''Address''':"

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 In the 1840s, the Groffdale congregation suffered a division when the recently ordained minister [[Stauffer, Jacob W. (1811-1855)|Jacob W. Stauffer]] protested against lax [[Discipline, Church|discipline]] in the Mennonite church. By 1845, Stauffer was silenced, but he and Jacob Weber were among those who formed the conservative [[Stauffer Mennonite Church]]. This was a time of larger change within the church, as the English language became more used and pressure to initiate [[Sunday School|Sunday schools]] increased. The [[Civil War (United States)|Civil War]] also added pressure as some Mennonite young men joined the Union Army or paid for volunteers to take their place.
-In about 1886, a frame addition on the meetinghouse's south end increased the worship space. During these years, worship services were held every two weeks. In 1893, the district suffered from the [[Old Order Mennonites, Pennsylvania|Old Order Mennonite division]] led by [[Martin, Jonas H. (1839-1925)|Jonas H. Martin]], the bishop ordained at [[Weaverland Mennonite Church (East Earl, Pennsylvania, USA)|Weaverland]], who also served Groffdale. One-third of the district membership joined the Old Order and soon built two Old Order meetinghouses.
+In about 1886, a frame addition on the meetinghouse's south end increased the worship space. During these years, worship services were held every two weeks. In 1893, the district suffered from the [[Old Order Mennonites, Pennsylvania|Old Order Mennonite division]] led by [[Martin, Jonas H. (1839-1925)|Jonas H. Martin]], the bishop ordained at [[Weaverland Anabaptist Faith Community (East Earl, Pennsylvania, USA)|Weaverland]], who also served Groffdale. One-third of the district membership joined the Old Order and soon built two Old Order meetinghouses.
 The Metzler and Groffdale congregations were served by the same ministers until 1905; after that, a gradual separation took place.

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 The congregation initiated more programs with the new meetinghouse, including [[Singing Schools|singing schools]], a sewing circle in 1920, and a young people's meeting in 1921.
-In 1948, the congregation helped to launch a mission outpost at [[Palo Alto Mennonite Church (Pottsville, Pennsylvania, USA)|Palo Alto]], near Pottsville. Lester Hoover from Groffdale served as the founding minister.
+In 1948, the congregation helped to launch a mission outpost at [[Mountainside Bible Church (Pottsville, Pennsylvania, USA)|Palo Alto]], near Pottsville. Lester Hoover from Groffdale served as the founding minister.
 = Bibliography =

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 __TOC__
-The Groffdale Mennonite Church (Mennonite Church USA), located two miles (three km) northwest of [[New Holland (Pennsylvania, USA)|New Holland]], [[Pennsylvania (USA)|Pennsylvania]], is a member of the [[LMC: A Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches|Lancaster Mennonite Conference]]. The first meetinghouse was built of logs in 1755 on Hans Groff's vast acreage. A stone addition was built in 1823. In 1909 the new brick church was built which was enlarged in 1936. The congregation cooperated in the [[Palo Alto Mennonite Church (Pottsville, Pennsylvania, USA)|Palo Alto Mission]] from the start, releasing one of its ministers, Lester M. Hoover, to serve there. In 1954 Mahlon Witmer was the bishop in charge, with Eli G. Sauder, Arnos Sauder, and John S. Martin as ministers and Floyd Graybill as deacon. Though a large percentage were still farmers in the 1950s, the [[Old Order Mennonites|Old Order Mennonites]] were buying up most of the land around them. Until 1905 the [[Metzler Mennonite Church (Akron, Pennsylvania, USA)|Metzler]] and Groffdale congregations were served by the same ministers; after that a gradual separation took place. First they had separate deacons and gradually a separate ministry. In 1953 all except two ministers were still serving both congregations. The membership in 1953 was 348. In 2010 the membership was 172; the lead pastor was Thomas L. Eshleman.
+The Groffdale Mennonite Church (Mennonite Church USA), located two miles (three km) northwest of [[New Holland (Pennsylvania, USA)|New Holland]], [[Pennsylvania (USA)|Pennsylvania]], is a member of the [[LMC: a Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches|Lancaster Mennonite Conference]]. The first meetinghouse was built of logs in 1755 on Hans Groff's vast acreage. A stone addition was built in 1823. In 1909 the new brick church was built which was enlarged in 1936. The congregation cooperated in the [[Palo Alto Mennonite Church (Pottsville, Pennsylvania, USA)|Palo Alto Mission]] from the start, releasing one of its ministers, Lester M. Hoover, to serve there. In 1954 Mahlon Witmer was the bishop in charge, with Eli G. Sauder, Arnos Sauder, and John S. Martin as ministers and Floyd Graybill as deacon. Though a large percentage were still farmers in the 1950s, the [[Old Order Mennonites|Old Order Mennonites]] were buying up most of the land around them. Until 1905 the [[Metzler Mennonite Church (Akron, Pennsylvania, USA)|Metzler]] and Groffdale congregations were served by the same ministers; after that a gradual separation took place. First they had separate deacons and gradually a separate ministry. In 1953 all except two ministers were still serving both congregations. The membership in 1953 was 348. In 2010 the membership was 172; the lead pastor was Thomas L. Eshleman.
 = Additional Information =
 '''Address''': 168 North Groffdale Road, Leola, Pennsylvania 17540

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-The Groffdale Mennonite Church (Mennonite Church USA), located two miles (three km) northwest of [[New Holland (Pennsylvania, USA)|New Holland]], [[Pennsylvania (USA)|Pennsylvania]], is a member of the [[Lancaster Mennonite Conference (Mennonite Church USA)|Lancaster Mennonite Conference]]. The first meetinghouse was built of logs in 1755 on Hans Groff's vast acreage. A stone addition was built in 1823. In 1909 the new brick church was built which was enlarged in 1936. The congregation cooperated in the [[Palo Alto Mennonite Church (Pottsville, Pennsylvania, USA)|Palo Alto Mission]] from the start, releasing one of its ministers, Lester M. Hoover, to serve there. In 1954 Mahlon Witmer was the bishop in charge, with Eli G. Sauder, Arnos Sauder, and John S. Martin as ministers and Floyd Graybill as deacon. Though a large percentage were still farmers in the 1950s, the [[Old Order Mennonites|Old Order Mennonites]] were buying up most of the land around them. Until 1905 the [[Metzler Mennonite Church (Akron, Pennsylvania, USA)|Metzler]] and Groffdale congregations were served by the same ministers; after that a gradual separation took place. First they had separate deacons and gradually a separate ministry. In 1953 all except two ministers were still serving both congregations. The membership in 1953 was 348. In 2010 the membership was 172; the lead pastor was Thomas L. Eshleman.
+The Groffdale Mennonite Church (Mennonite Church USA), located two miles (three km) northwest of [[New Holland (Pennsylvania, USA)|New Holland]], [[Pennsylvania (USA)|Pennsylvania]], is a member of the [[LMC: A Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches|Lancaster Mennonite Conference]]. The first meetinghouse was built of logs in 1755 on Hans Groff's vast acreage. A stone addition was built in 1823. In 1909 the new brick church was built which was enlarged in 1936. The congregation cooperated in the [[Palo Alto Mennonite Church (Pottsville, Pennsylvania, USA)|Palo Alto Mission]] from the start, releasing one of its ministers, Lester M. Hoover, to serve there. In 1954 Mahlon Witmer was the bishop in charge, with Eli G. Sauder, Arnos Sauder, and John S. Martin as ministers and Floyd Graybill as deacon. Though a large percentage were still farmers in the 1950s, the [[Old Order Mennonites|Old Order Mennonites]] were buying up most of the land around them. Until 1905 the [[Metzler Mennonite Church (Akron, Pennsylvania, USA)|Metzler]] and Groffdale congregations were served by the same ministers; after that a gradual separation took place. First they had separate deacons and gradually a separate ministry. In 1953 all except two ministers were still serving both congregations. The membership in 1953 was 348. In 2010 the membership was 172; the lead pastor was Thomas L. Eshleman.
 = Additional Information =
 '''Address''': 168 North Groffdale Road, Leola, Pennsylvania 17540

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 [[Category:Mennonite Church (MC) Congregations]]
 [[Category:Mennonite Church USA Congregations]]
-[[Category:Lancaster Mennonite Conference Congregations]]
+[[Category:LMC: a Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches Congregations]]
 [[Category:Pennsylvania Congregations]]
 [[Category:United States Congregations]]

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 '''Website''': [http://groffdale.net/ Groffdale Mennonite Church]
-<strong>Denominational Affiliations</strong>:
+'''Denominational Affiliations''':
 [http://lancasterconference.org/ Lancaster Mennonite Conference]

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 '''Phone''': 717-656-6388
-<strong>Website</strong>: [http://groffdale.net/ Groffdale Mennonite Church]
+'''Website''': [http://groffdale.net/ Groffdale Mennonite Church]
 <strong>Denominational Affiliations</strong>:

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 <strong>Address</strong>: 168 North Groffdale Road, Leola, Pennsylvania 17540
-<strong>Phone</strong>: 717-656-6388
+'''Phone''': 717-656-6388
 <strong>Website</strong>: [http://groffdale.net/ Groffdale Mennonite Church]