Difference between revisions of "First Mennonite Church (Berne, Indiana, USA)"

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There has been a strong love for music in the Berne community and as early as 1875 singing schools were instituted with practices held in homes. Out of these grew the choir and choral society which began giving oratorios in 1890. In the early 1950s the church had several music groups—an adult choir, a young people's choir, a junior choir, and the Choral Society, which gave "The Creation" each June and "The Messiah" each December; also a Men's Chorus of considerable renown, which was organized in 1898, and a Ladies' Chorus organized in 1912.
 
There has been a strong love for music in the Berne community and as early as 1875 singing schools were instituted with practices held in homes. Out of these grew the choir and choral society which began giving oratorios in 1890. In the early 1950s the church had several music groups—an adult choir, a young people's choir, a junior choir, and the Choral Society, which gave "The Creation" each June and "The Messiah" each December; also a Men's Chorus of considerable renown, which was organized in 1898, and a Ladies' Chorus organized in 1912.
  
−
There were two outstanding leaders in the church whose influence was still felt in the mid-20th century. Both were products of the local church and community. One was S. F. Sprunger, long-time pastor of the church. He fostered a real heart religion with a progressive outlook and promoted education, missions, and conference endeavors. The other was [[Lehman, Japhet F. (1860-1932)|J. F. Lehman]], an active layman, influential leader in the Sunday school, Temperance Society, Choral Society, and Christian Endeavor.
+
There were two outstanding leaders in the church whose influence was still felt in the mid-20th century. Both were products of the local church and community. One was [[Sprunger, Samuel Ferdinand (1848-1923)|S. F. Sprunger]], long-time pastor of the church. He fostered a real heart religion with a progressive outlook and promoted education, missions, and conference endeavors. The other was [[Lehman, Japhet F. (1860-1932)|J. F. Lehman]], an active layman, influential leader in the Sunday school, Temperance Society, Choral Society, and Christian Endeavor.
  
 
In the summer of 1886 a great revival took place in Berne. It was remarkable because there was no outside evangelist with special meetings, special music or publicity as was usually the case. Through the faithful teaching of S. F. Sprunger and the help of J. F. Lehman, a young woman found peace in Christ and soon the spirit spread from one to another until over a hundred persons were converted in about two months.
 
In the summer of 1886 a great revival took place in Berne. It was remarkable because there was no outside evangelist with special meetings, special music or publicity as was usually the case. Through the faithful teaching of S. F. Sprunger and the help of J. F. Lehman, a young woman found peace in Christ and soon the spirit spread from one to another until over a hundred persons were converted in about two months.
  
−
Ministers who served the Baumgartner congregation in the early days, prior to the merger, were as follows: David Baumgartner, Christian Baumgartner, Ulrich Kipfer, Matthias Strahm, Christian Augsburger, and S. F. Sprunger. Ministers who served the Berne congregation prior to the merger: Peter Lehman, Christian Sprunger, Peter Habegger, Peter M. Neuenschwander, and S. F. Sprunger. Pastors of both of the united churches follow: S. F. Sprunger, 1871-1903; [[Kliewer, John Walter (1869-1938)|J. W. Kliewer]], 1903-1911; S. F. Sprunger (Interim), 1911-1913; [[Schroeder, Peter R. (1888-1941)|P. R. Schroeder]], 1912-1928; [[Suckau, Cornelius H. (1881-1951)|C. H. Suckau]], 1928-1943; J. P. Suderman (Interim), 1944-1945; and Olin A. Krehbiel, 1945- .
+
Ministers who served the Baumgartner congregation in the early days, prior to the merger, were as follows: David Baumgartner, Christian Baumgartner, Ulrich Kipfer, Matthias Strahm, Christian Augsburger, and [[Sprunger, Samuel Ferdinand (1848-1923)|S. F. Sprunger]]. Ministers who served the Berne congregation prior to the merger: Peter Lehman, Christian Sprunger, Peter Habegger, Peter M. Neuenschwander, and S. F. Sprunger. Pastors of both of the united churches follow: S. F. Sprunger, 1871-1903; [[Kliewer, John Walter (1869-1938)|J. W. Kliewer]], 1903-1911; S. F. Sprunger (Interim), 1911-1913; [[Schroeder, Peter R. (1888-1941)|P. R. Schroeder]], 1912-1928; [[Suckau, Cornelius H. (1881-1951)|C. H. Suckau]], 1928-1943; J. P. Suderman (Interim), 1944-1945; and Olin A. Krehbiel, 1945- .
  
 
Since the beginning of the church between 60 and 70 members of this congregation have at some time been engaged in various types of Christian service for a shorter or longer period. In 1952 there were 17 members engaged in foreign mission work and 11 in home mission work.
 
Since the beginning of the church between 60 and 70 members of this congregation have at some time been engaged in various types of Christian service for a shorter or longer period. In 1952 there were 17 members engaged in foreign mission work and 11 in home mission work.
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In 1952 the church gave over $113,098.00 for local support, minister's salary, missions, relief, education, conference, and other causes.
 
In 1952 the church gave over $113,098.00 for local support, minister's salary, missions, relief, education, conference, and other causes.
  
−
In 2009 the congregation withdrew from the [[Central District Conference (Mennonite Church USA)|Central District Conference]] and joined the [[Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA]].
+
In 1959 the church dedicated a new education building and, the following year, renovated its parsonage. Extensive renovations took place in 1985, and an elevator was installed in 1997. A Family Life Center was dedicated in April 2012. Further office renovations took place in 2020.
 +
 
 +
In 1961 the congregation helped to launch the [[Maplewood Mennonite Church (Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA)|Maplewood Mennonite Church]] in [[Fort Wayne (Indiana, USA)|Fort Wayne]]. It also held regular Spanish-language services for migrant workers in its chapel.
 +
 
 +
In 2009 the congregation withdrew from the [[Central District Conference (Mennonite Church USA)|Central District Conference]] and joined the [[Ohio Mennonite Conference|Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA]]. In 2014, the congregation voted to leave the Ohio Conference and on 25 September 2016, the congregation voted to join the [[LMC: a Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches|Lancaster Mennonite Conference]]. In 2023 the congregation remained part of LMC: a Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches.
 
= Bibliography =
 
= Bibliography =
−
Lehman, Naomi. <em class="gameo_bibliography">Pilgrimage of a Congregation: First Mennonite Church, Berne, Indiana</em>. Berne, IN: First Mennonite Church, 1982.  
+
"First Mennonite Church chronology 1838-2021." First Mennonite Church. 2021. Web. 20 January 2023. https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.cloversites.com/78/78d9026f-70eb-4239-b4da-23554841065a/documents/2021_Chronology_FINAL_USE_THIS.pdf
 +
 
 +
Lehman, Naomi. ''Pilgrimage of a Congregation: First Mennonite Church, Berne, Indiana''. Berne, IN: First Mennonite Church, 1982.  
  
−
Sprunger, E. <em class="gameo_bibliography">The First Hundred Years.</em> Berne, IN: First Mennonite Church, 1938.
+
Sprunger, E. ''The First Hundred Years.'' Berne, IN: First Mennonite Church, 1938.
 +
 
 +
Stella, Rachel. "Year After Withdrawal, Lancaster Conference Gains, Loses." Mennonite World Review (15 November 2016). Web. 29 November 2016. http://mennoworld.org/2016/11/15/news/year-after-withdrawal-lancaster-conference-gains-loses/.
  
 
Thomas, Everett J. "Congregations Switch Membership." ''The Mennonite'' (1 September 2013). http://www.themennonite.org/issues/16-9/articles/Congregations_switch_membership.
 
Thomas, Everett J. "Congregations Switch Membership." ''The Mennonite'' (1 September 2013). http://www.themennonite.org/issues/16-9/articles/Congregations_switch_membership.
 
= Additional Information =
 
= Additional Information =
−
'''Address''': 566 W Main St, Berne, IN 46711
+
'''Address''': 566 West Main Street, Berne, Indiana 46711
  
 
'''Phone''': 260-589-3108
 
'''Phone''': 260-589-3108
  
−
'''Website''': [http://www.firstmennonite.org/ First Mennonite Church]
+
'''Website''': [https://www.firstmennonite.org/ First Mennonite Church]
  
 
'''Denominational Affiliations''':
 
'''Denominational Affiliations''':
Line 47: Line 55:
 
[[Central District Conference (Mennonite Church USA)|Central District Conference]] (until 2009)
 
[[Central District Conference (Mennonite Church USA)|Central District Conference]] (until 2009)
  
−
[[Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA|Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA]] (2009-present)
+
[[Ohio Mennonite Conference]] (2009-2014)
 +
 
 +
[[LMC: a Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches|Lancaster Mennonite Conference]] (2016-present)
  
 
[[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite Church]] (until 1999)
 
[[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite Church]] (until 1999)
 +
== Pastoral Leaders at Baumgartner Mennonite Church ==
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Name !! Years<br/>of Service
 +
|-
 +
| David Baumgartner (1765-1853) || 1839-1853
 +
|-
 +
| Christian Baumgartner (1809-1878)<br />(Elder) || 1845-1866<br />1866-1878
 +
|-
 +
| Ulrich Kipfer (1805-1866) || 1852-1866
 +
|-
 +
| Matthias Strahm (1785-1866) || 1852-1866
 +
|-
 +
| Christian Augsburger (1821-1903) || 1865-1869
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sprunger, Samuel Ferdinand (1848-1923)|Samuel F. "S. F." Sprunger]] (1848-1923)(Elder) || 1878?-1886
 +
|}
 +
 +
== Pastoral Leaders at Berne Mennonite Church ==
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Name !! Years<br/>of Service
 +
|-
 +
| Peter S. Lehman (1821-1899)<br />(Elder) || 1852--1853<br />1853-1868
 +
|-
 +
| Christian Sprunger (1828-1903)<br />(Elder) || 1856-1868<br />1868-?
 +
|-
 +
| Peter Habegger (1809-1872) || 1865-1872
 +
|-
 +
| Peter M. Neuenschwander (1854-1946) || 1876-1879
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sprunger, Samuel Ferdinand (1848-1923)|Samuel F. "S. F." Sprunger]] (1848-1923)<br />(Elder) || 1868-1874<br />1874-1886
 +
|}
 +
 +
== Pastoral Leaders at First Mennonite Church ==
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Name !! Years<br/>of Service
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sprunger, Samuel Ferdinand (1848-1923)|Samuel F. "S. F." Sprunger]] (1848-1923)(Elder)<br />(Interim) || 1886-1903<br />1911-1913
 +
|-
 +
| [[Kliewer, John Walter (1869-1938)|John W. "J. W." Kliewer]] (1869-1938) || 1903-1911
 +
|-
 +
| [[Schroeder, Peter R. (1888-1941)|Peter R. "P. R." Schroeder]] (1888-1941) || 1912-1928
 +
|-
 +
| [[Suckau, Cornelius H. (1881-1951)|Cornelius H. "C. H." Suckau]] (1881-1951) || 1928-1943
 +
|-
 +
| John P. "J. P." Suderman (1901-1979)(Interim) || 1944-1945
 +
|-
 +
| Olin A. Krehbiel (1904-1982) || 1945-1957
 +
|-
 +
| Freeman Burkhalter (1908-1999)(Music) || 1948-1991?
 +
|-
 +
| John F. Sprunger (1925-1996)(Assistant) || 1952-1956
 +
|-
 +
| Gordon J. Neuenschwander (1925-2003) || 1956-1973
 +
|-
 +
| Marvin Zehr (Assistant) || 1961-1964
 +
|-
 +
| Andrew J. "A. J." Neuenschwander (1889-1972)(Seniors) || 1964-1969
 +
|-
 +
| Gerald Stucky (Associate) || 1966-1973
 +
|-
 +
| Lyman Hofstetter (Youth) || 1968-1972?
 +
|-
 +
| John W. Sprunger || 1973-1975
 +
|-
 +
| [[Bauman, Kenneth Garber (1926-1986)|Kenneth G. Bauman]] (1926-1986) || 1973-1986
 +
|-
 +
| Vernon J. & Irena Sprunger (Visitation) || 1973-1975
 +
|-
 +
| Curt A. Claassen (1918-2017)(Assistant) || 1975-1995
 +
|-
 +
| Tim Sprunger (Christian Education) || 1977-1978?
 +
|-
 +
| Jerry Flueckiger (Youth)<br />(Care & Adult Ministries) || 1978-1982?<br />2008-
 +
|-
 +
| Jerry Holsopple (Youth & Christian Education) || 1982-1985?
 +
|-
 +
| J. Andrew Stoner (Family Life) || 1982-1989
 +
|-
 +
| Dennis Stutzman (Youth) || 1986?-1989
 +
|-
 +
| Peter Voran (Interim) || 1987-1989
 +
|-
 +
| Robert J. "Bob" Sprunger (Youth) || 1989-1999<br />2005-2009?
 +
|-
 +
| Tim Epp || 1989-1992
 +
|-
 +
| Robin K. LaRue (Congregational Care) || 1989-1994
 +
|-
 +
| Jason S. Martin (1927-2007)(Interim) || 1992-1994
 +
|-
 +
| Mary Beth Huser (Music) || 1991-?
 +
|-
 +
| Harold Nussbaum (1924-2014)(Visitation) || 1993-2004?
 +
|-
 +
| Marie Nussbaum (Visitation) || 1993-2008?
 +
|-
 +
| G. Craig Maven || 1994-2007
 +
|-
 +
| John L. Freed (Associate) || 1996-1999?
 +
|-
 +
| Ray Keim (Congregational Care) || 2000-2004
 +
|-
 +
| Nathen Tatman (Youth) || 2000-2007
 +
|-
 +
| Dennis G. Schmidt (Christian Education) || 2000-2011?
 +
|-
 +
| Carole Neuenschwander (Children) || 2006-2010
 +
|-
 +
| Brent Hyman (Music & Worship) || 2006-present
 +
|-
 +
| Don Blosser (Interim) || 2007
 +
|-
 +
| Darren Kloepper (Youth)<br />(Christian Education) || 2009-2013<br />2013-2016?
 +
|-
 +
| Jeff Linthicum || 2009-present
 +
|-
 +
| Lara Collett (Interim Children's) || 2010-2011
 +
|-
 +
| Chris Hyman (Children's) || 2012-present
 +
|-
 +
| Hazel Lautzenheiser (Children's) || 2012-2015
 +
|-
 +
| Josh Gaskill (Youth) || 2013-2016
 +
|-
 +
| Debra Neuenschwander (Children's) || 2016-present
 +
|-
 +
| Bill Helmlinger (Youth) || 2016-present
 +
|-
 +
| James Schwartz (Care & Adult) || 2018-present
 +
|-
 +
| Seth Ringger (Interim Youth) || 2020-2021
 +
|}
  
−
Mennonite Church USA (1999-present)
+
== Membership at First Mennonite Church ==
−
{{GAMEO_footer|hp=|date=1953|a1_last=Krehbiel|a1_first=Olin A|a2_last= |a2_first= }}
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: right;"
 +
|-
 +
! Year !! Membership
 +
|-
 +
| 1920 || 299
 +
|-
 +
| 1930 || 443
 +
|-
 +
| 1940 || 1239
 +
|-
 +
| 1950 || 1338
 +
|-
 +
| 1960 || 1320
 +
|-
 +
| 1970 || 1263
 +
|-
 +
| 1980 || 1216
 +
|-
 +
| 1990 || 1119
 +
|-
 +
| 2000 || 1119
 +
|-
 +
| 2009 || 1107
 +
|}
 +
{{GAMEO_footer|hp=|date=January 2023|a1_last=Krehbiel|a1_first=Olin A.|a2_last=Steiner|a2_first=Samuel J.}}
 
[[Category:Churches]]
 
[[Category:Churches]]
 
[[Category:Central District Conference Congregations]]
 
[[Category:Central District Conference Congregations]]
 
[[Category:Central District Mennonite Conference Congregations]]
 
[[Category:Central District Mennonite Conference Congregations]]
−
[[Category:Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA Congregations]]
+
[[Category:Ohio Mennonite Conference Congregations]]
 +
[[Category:LMC: a Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches Congregations]]
 
[[Category:Mennonite Church USA Congregations]]
 
[[Category:Mennonite Church USA Congregations]]
 
[[Category:General Conference Mennonite Church Congregations]]
 
[[Category:General Conference Mennonite Church Congregations]]
 
[[Category:Indiana Congregations]]
 
[[Category:Indiana Congregations]]
 
[[Category:United States Congregations]]
 
[[Category:United States Congregations]]

Latest revision as of 23:24, 28 August 2024

First Mennonite Church, Berne, IN
Source: Black Bear Inn & Suites website.

First Mennonite Church (Mennonite Church USA), 566 W. Main St., Berne, Adams County, Indiana, was a member of the Middle District Conference (later Central District Conference). It had 1,320 members in 1953; in 2004 in had 1,118 members.

The background of the majority of the membership is Swiss from the Jura Mountains and the Emmental in the canton of Bern. The first settlers who came to this section were of the Preacher David Baumgartner family, who located in French Township in 1838. These started the Baumgartner church which united with the Berne church in 1886. Another group of 80 persons, mostly members of the Sprunger family or their relatives by marriage, left the Jura for America in 1852. They cleared trees and drained land around a spot where the town of Berne is now situated. These organized the Berne congregation with Peter S. Lehman as their leader.

In 1856 the Berne group began erecting the first church building, which was completed in 1860. The second meetinghouse was built in 1879, was remodeled in 1886 and again in 1899. The 1950s brick church was started in 1910 and dedicated in 1912, having a seating capacity of 2,000 in the main auditorium and balconies. The church owned a nine-room parsonage, built of brick matching the church. One third of the membership in the 1950s lived in the country and the remainder lived in town.

The Bernese Swiss dialect was still spoken in many homes in the 1950s. The church services were in English but there were three German Sunday-school classes at that time. The church did not observe feetwashing or separate seating for men and women. Members were disciplined if they did not live according to the Scriptures and rules of the church.

The Sunday school, which was organized in 1874, in 1952 had a membership of 1,483 and an average attendance of 1,152. The Christian Endeavor was organized in 1894. The Women's Missionary Society, organized in 1887, met once a month. The Girls' Junior and Intermediate Mission Bands also met monthly. The Christian Temperance Union had charge of the first Sunday evening service of every month. The church also had a library of almost a thousand books in 1952.

There has been a strong love for music in the Berne community and as early as 1875 singing schools were instituted with practices held in homes. Out of these grew the choir and choral society which began giving oratorios in 1890. In the early 1950s the church had several music groups—an adult choir, a young people's choir, a junior choir, and the Choral Society, which gave "The Creation" each June and "The Messiah" each December; also a Men's Chorus of considerable renown, which was organized in 1898, and a Ladies' Chorus organized in 1912.

There were two outstanding leaders in the church whose influence was still felt in the mid-20th century. Both were products of the local church and community. One was S. F. Sprunger, long-time pastor of the church. He fostered a real heart religion with a progressive outlook and promoted education, missions, and conference endeavors. The other was J. F. Lehman, an active layman, influential leader in the Sunday school, Temperance Society, Choral Society, and Christian Endeavor.

In the summer of 1886 a great revival took place in Berne. It was remarkable because there was no outside evangelist with special meetings, special music or publicity as was usually the case. Through the faithful teaching of S. F. Sprunger and the help of J. F. Lehman, a young woman found peace in Christ and soon the spirit spread from one to another until over a hundred persons were converted in about two months.

Ministers who served the Baumgartner congregation in the early days, prior to the merger, were as follows: David Baumgartner, Christian Baumgartner, Ulrich Kipfer, Matthias Strahm, Christian Augsburger, and S. F. Sprunger. Ministers who served the Berne congregation prior to the merger: Peter Lehman, Christian Sprunger, Peter Habegger, Peter M. Neuenschwander, and S. F. Sprunger. Pastors of both of the united churches follow: S. F. Sprunger, 1871-1903; J. W. Kliewer, 1903-1911; S. F. Sprunger (Interim), 1911-1913; P. R. Schroeder, 1912-1928; C. H. Suckau, 1928-1943; J. P. Suderman (Interim), 1944-1945; and Olin A. Krehbiel, 1945- .

Since the beginning of the church between 60 and 70 members of this congregation have at some time been engaged in various types of Christian service for a shorter or longer period. In 1952 there were 17 members engaged in foreign mission work and 11 in home mission work.

This congregation had entertained the General Conference Mennonite Church four times by 1950, the last time being in 1947, when over 1,400 delegates and visitors were in attendance.

In 1952 the church gave over $113,098.00 for local support, minister's salary, missions, relief, education, conference, and other causes.

In 1959 the church dedicated a new education building and, the following year, renovated its parsonage. Extensive renovations took place in 1985, and an elevator was installed in 1997. A Family Life Center was dedicated in April 2012. Further office renovations took place in 2020.

In 1961 the congregation helped to launch the Maplewood Mennonite Church in Fort Wayne. It also held regular Spanish-language services for migrant workers in its chapel.

In 2009 the congregation withdrew from the Central District Conference and joined the Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA. In 2014, the congregation voted to leave the Ohio Conference and on 25 September 2016, the congregation voted to join the Lancaster Mennonite Conference. In 2023 the congregation remained part of LMC: a Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches.

Bibliography

"First Mennonite Church chronology 1838-2021." First Mennonite Church. 2021. Web. 20 January 2023. https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.cloversites.com/78/78d9026f-70eb-4239-b4da-23554841065a/documents/2021_Chronology_FINAL_USE_THIS.pdf

Lehman, Naomi. Pilgrimage of a Congregation: First Mennonite Church, Berne, Indiana. Berne, IN: First Mennonite Church, 1982.

Sprunger, E. The First Hundred Years. Berne, IN: First Mennonite Church, 1938.

Stella, Rachel. "Year After Withdrawal, Lancaster Conference Gains, Loses." Mennonite World Review (15 November 2016). Web. 29 November 2016. http://mennoworld.org/2016/11/15/news/year-after-withdrawal-lancaster-conference-gains-loses/.

Thomas, Everett J. "Congregations Switch Membership." The Mennonite (1 September 2013). http://www.themennonite.org/issues/16-9/articles/Congregations_switch_membership.

Additional Information

Address: 566 West Main Street, Berne, Indiana 46711

Phone: 260-589-3108

Website: First Mennonite Church

Denominational Affiliations:

Middle District Conference

Central District Conference (until 2009)

Ohio Mennonite Conference (2009-2014)

Lancaster Mennonite Conference (2016-present)

General Conference Mennonite Church (until 1999)

Pastoral Leaders at Baumgartner Mennonite Church

Name Years
of Service
David Baumgartner (1765-1853) 1839-1853
Christian Baumgartner (1809-1878)
(Elder)		 1845-1866
1866-1878
Ulrich Kipfer (1805-1866) 1852-1866
Matthias Strahm (1785-1866) 1852-1866
Christian Augsburger (1821-1903) 1865-1869
Samuel F. "S. F." Sprunger (1848-1923)(Elder) 1878?-1886

Pastoral Leaders at Berne Mennonite Church

Name Years
of Service
Peter S. Lehman (1821-1899)
(Elder)		 1852--1853
1853-1868
Christian Sprunger (1828-1903)
(Elder)		 1856-1868
1868-?
Peter Habegger (1809-1872) 1865-1872
Peter M. Neuenschwander (1854-1946) 1876-1879
Samuel F. "S. F." Sprunger (1848-1923)
(Elder)		 1868-1874
1874-1886

Pastoral Leaders at First Mennonite Church

Name Years
of Service
Samuel F. "S. F." Sprunger (1848-1923)(Elder)
(Interim)		 1886-1903
1911-1913
John W. "J. W." Kliewer (1869-1938) 1903-1911
Peter R. "P. R." Schroeder (1888-1941) 1912-1928
Cornelius H. "C. H." Suckau (1881-1951) 1928-1943
John P. "J. P." Suderman (1901-1979)(Interim) 1944-1945
Olin A. Krehbiel (1904-1982) 1945-1957
Freeman Burkhalter (1908-1999)(Music) 1948-1991?
John F. Sprunger (1925-1996)(Assistant) 1952-1956
Gordon J. Neuenschwander (1925-2003) 1956-1973
Marvin Zehr (Assistant) 1961-1964
Andrew J. "A. J." Neuenschwander (1889-1972)(Seniors) 1964-1969
Gerald Stucky (Associate) 1966-1973
Lyman Hofstetter (Youth) 1968-1972?
John W. Sprunger 1973-1975
Kenneth G. Bauman (1926-1986) 1973-1986
Vernon J. & Irena Sprunger (Visitation) 1973-1975
Curt A. Claassen (1918-2017)(Assistant) 1975-1995
Tim Sprunger (Christian Education) 1977-1978?
Jerry Flueckiger (Youth)
(Care & Adult Ministries)		 1978-1982?
2008-
Jerry Holsopple (Youth & Christian Education) 1982-1985?
J. Andrew Stoner (Family Life) 1982-1989
Dennis Stutzman (Youth) 1986?-1989
Peter Voran (Interim) 1987-1989
Robert J. "Bob" Sprunger (Youth) 1989-1999
2005-2009?
Tim Epp 1989-1992
Robin K. LaRue (Congregational Care) 1989-1994
Jason S. Martin (1927-2007)(Interim) 1992-1994
Mary Beth Huser (Music) 1991-?
Harold Nussbaum (1924-2014)(Visitation) 1993-2004?
Marie Nussbaum (Visitation) 1993-2008?
G. Craig Maven 1994-2007
John L. Freed (Associate) 1996-1999?
Ray Keim (Congregational Care) 2000-2004
Nathen Tatman (Youth) 2000-2007
Dennis G. Schmidt (Christian Education) 2000-2011?
Carole Neuenschwander (Children) 2006-2010
Brent Hyman (Music & Worship) 2006-present
Don Blosser (Interim) 2007
Darren Kloepper (Youth)
(Christian Education)		 2009-2013
2013-2016?
Jeff Linthicum 2009-present
Lara Collett (Interim Children's) 2010-2011
Chris Hyman (Children's) 2012-present
Hazel Lautzenheiser (Children's) 2012-2015
Josh Gaskill (Youth) 2013-2016
Debra Neuenschwander (Children's) 2016-present
Bill Helmlinger (Youth) 2016-present
James Schwartz (Care & Adult) 2018-present
Seth Ringger (Interim Youth) 2020-2021

Membership at First Mennonite Church

Year Membership
1920 299
1930 443
1940 1239
1950 1338
1960 1320
1970 1263
1980 1216
1990 1119
2000 1119
2009 1107


Author(s) Olin A. Krehbiel
Samuel J. Steiner
Date Published January 2023

Cite This Article

MLA style

Krehbiel, Olin A. and Samuel J. Steiner. "First Mennonite Church (Berne, Indiana, USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. January 2023. Web. 18 Dec 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=First_Mennonite_Church_(Berne,_Indiana,_USA)&oldid=179535.

APA style

Krehbiel, Olin A. and Samuel J. Steiner. (January 2023). First Mennonite Church (Berne, Indiana, USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 18 December 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=First_Mennonite_Church_(Berne,_Indiana,_USA)&oldid=179535.



©1996-2024 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.

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