Difference between revisions of "Conestoga Mennonite Church (Morgantown, Pennsylvania, USA)"

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[[File:ConestogaMennoniteChurch1946.jpg|350px|thumbnail|''Conestoga Mennonite Church in Morgantown, Pennsylvania in 1946.<br />
 +
Source: Mennonite Community Photograph Collection, The Congregation (HM4-134 Box 1 photo 010.0-21).<br />
 +
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/mennonitechurchusa-archives/5263970580/in/set-72157625460443202/ Mennonite Church USA Archives, Goshen, Indiana]''.]]
 +
[[File:ConestogaMennoniteChurch1949.jpg|350px|thumbnail|''Conestoga Mennonite Church in Morgantown, Pennsylvania in July 1949.<br />
 +
Source: Mennonite Community Photograph Collection, The Congregation (HM4-134 Box 1 photo 010.0-18).<br />
 +
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/mennonitechurchusa-archives/5263970388/in/set-72157625460443202/ Mennonite Church USA Archives, Goshen, Indiana]''.]]
 
The Conestoga Mennonite Church (former Conestoga Amish Mennonite Church) is a member of Mennonite Church USA. It is located west of Morgantown, in Caernarvon Township, [[Lancaster County (Pennsylvania, USA)|Lancaster County]], [[Pennsylvania (USA)|Pennsylvania]]. Its members, most of whom were farmers in the 1950s, are located in the three adjoining counties of Lancaster, [[Berks County (Pennsylvania, USA)|Berks]], and [[Chester County (Pennsylvania, USA)|Chester]].
 
The Conestoga Mennonite Church (former Conestoga Amish Mennonite Church) is a member of Mennonite Church USA. It is located west of Morgantown, in Caernarvon Township, [[Lancaster County (Pennsylvania, USA)|Lancaster County]], [[Pennsylvania (USA)|Pennsylvania]]. Its members, most of whom were farmers in the 1950s, are located in the three adjoining counties of Lancaster, [[Berks County (Pennsylvania, USA)|Berks]], and [[Chester County (Pennsylvania, USA)|Chester]].
  
 
The church was founded in 1760 and is therefore the first permanent Amish Mennonite congregation in North America. Among the first settlers were those having the family names of [[Mast (Mest, Maust, Moist) family|Mast]], [[Hooley (Hoelly, Holly) family|Hoelley]], [[Hertzler (Hartzler)|Hertzler]], and [[Lapp (Lappe, Lape, Lap) family|Lapp]]. [[Mast, Jacob (1738-1808)|Jacob Mast]] served as the first resident minister of the congregation and was elected its bishop in 1788. The following bishops served this church into the 1950s: Jacob Hertzler, 1760-1786; Jacob Mast, 1788-1808; Peter Plank, 1808-1831; John Plank, 1831-1835; John Stoltzfus, 1835-1837; David Beiler, 1837-1845; John K. Stoltzfus, 1845-1854; Christian Umble, 1854-1877; [[Mast, John P. (1826-1888)|John P. Mast]], 1877-1888; Gideon Stoltzfus, 1888-1908; [[Mast, John S. (1861-1951)|John S. Mast]], 1908-51; and Ira A. Kurtz, 1944-    .
 
The church was founded in 1760 and is therefore the first permanent Amish Mennonite congregation in North America. Among the first settlers were those having the family names of [[Mast (Mest, Maust, Moist) family|Mast]], [[Hooley (Hoelly, Holly) family|Hoelley]], [[Hertzler (Hartzler)|Hertzler]], and [[Lapp (Lappe, Lape, Lap) family|Lapp]]. [[Mast, Jacob (1738-1808)|Jacob Mast]] served as the first resident minister of the congregation and was elected its bishop in 1788. The following bishops served this church into the 1950s: Jacob Hertzler, 1760-1786; Jacob Mast, 1788-1808; Peter Plank, 1808-1831; John Plank, 1831-1835; John Stoltzfus, 1835-1837; David Beiler, 1837-1845; John K. Stoltzfus, 1845-1854; Christian Umble, 1854-1877; [[Mast, John P. (1826-1888)|John P. Mast]], 1877-1888; Gideon Stoltzfus, 1888-1908; [[Mast, John S. (1861-1951)|John S. Mast]], 1908-51; and Ira A. Kurtz, 1944-    .
  
−
About 1869 differences of opinion arose within the congregation concerning the adoption of more progressive forms of worship. The most conservative minority withdrew from the congregation in 1877, thus establishing an [[Old Order Amish|Old Order Amish]] group in the community. The larger group soon after this built its first church, dedicating it in June 1882. A subsequent church edifice  was erected in 1923, and another new facility in 2001. The church experienced a major fire in June 2008, but subsequently rebuilt.
+
About 1869 differences of opinion arose within the congregation concerning the adoption of more progressive forms of worship. The most conservative minority withdrew from the congregation in 1877, thus establishing an [[Old Order Amish|Old Order Amish]] group in the community. The larger group soon after this built its first church, dedicating it in June 1882. A subsequent church edifice was erected in 1923 (renovated in 1948), and another new facility in 2001. The church experienced a major fire in June 2008 but subsequently rebuilt.
  
−
In 1850 the membership of the church was 30, by 1882 it had grown to 80, by 1923 the number had increased to 225, and by 1952 the total was 380. The Conestoga Church had in the early 1950s planted three organized churches under its bishop jurisdiction. The Rock Amish Mennonite Church was organized in 1936, the [[Oley Mennonite Church (Oley Valley, Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA)|Oley Church]] in 1942, and the Zions Church in 1951. The three are situated in Berks County, within a radius of 25 miles.
+
In 1850 the membership of the church was 30, by 1882 it had grown to 80, by 1923 the number had increased to 225, and by 1952 the total was 380. The Conestoga Church had in the early 1950s planted three organized churches under its bishop jurisdiction. The [[Hopewell Church (Elverson, Pennsylvania, USA)|Rock Amish Mennonite Church]] was organized in 1936, the [[Oley Valley Mennonite Church (Oley, Pennsylvania, USA)|Oley Church]] in 1942, and the [[Zion Mennonite Church (Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, USA)|Zion Church]] in 1951. The three are situated in Berks County, within a radius of 25 miles.
  
 
In 2013, the membership was 169; the pastor was Robert L. Petersheim and the youth pastor was Rachel Elizabeth Mast.
 
In 2013, the membership was 169; the pastor was Robert L. Petersheim and the youth pastor was Rachel Elizabeth Mast.
 +
= Bibliography =
 +
Mast, C. Z. and Robert E. Simpson. <em>Annals of the Conestoga Valley in Lancaster, Berits, and Chester Counties, Pennsylvania. </em>Elverson, Pennsylvania, 1942.
  
−
 
+
Mast, J. Lemar & Lois Anne. ''As long as wood grows and water flows: a history of the Conestoga Mennonite Church.'' Morgantown, Pa.: Conestoga Mennonite Historical Committee, 1982.
−
= Bibliography =
 
−
Mast, C. Z. and Robert E. Simpson. <em>Annals of the Conestoga Valley in Lancaster, </em><em>Berits, </em><em>and Chester Counties, Pennsylvania. </em>Elverson, Pennsylvania, 1942.
 
  
 
Stauffer, Cindy. "Out of the ashes." Lancaster New Era (16 June 2008). Web. 8 September 2012.[http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/223173_Out-of-the-ashes.html http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/223173_Out-of-the-ashes.html]
 
Stauffer, Cindy. "Out of the ashes." Lancaster New Era (16 June 2008). Web. 8 September 2012.[http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/223173_Out-of-the-ashes.html http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/223173_Out-of-the-ashes.html]
  
−
 
+
Stoltzfus, Grant M. ''Mennonites of the Ohio and Eastern Conference; From the Colonial Period in Pennsylvania to 1968''. Studies in Anabaptist and Mennonite history, no. 13. Scottdale, Pa: Herald Press, 1969
 
= Additional Information =
 
= Additional Information =
−
<strong>Address</strong>: 2779 Main Street, Morgantown, Pennsylvania 19543
+
'''Address''': 2779 Main Street, Morgantown, Pennsylvania 19543
−
 
 
−
<strong>Phone</strong>: 610-286-9124
 
−
 
 
−
<strong>Website</strong>: [http://www.conestogamennonitechurch.org/ Conestoga Mennonite Church]
 
−
 
 
−
<strong>Denominational Affiliations</strong>:
 
  
−
[http://www.atlanticcoast.mennonite.net/ Atlantic Coast Conference]
+
'''Phone''': 610-286-9124
  
−
[http://www.mennoniteusa.org/ Mennonite Church USA]
+
'''Website''': [http://www.conestogamennonitechurch.org/ Conestoga Mennonite Church]
  
 +
'''Denominational Affiliations''':
 +
[https://atlanticcoastconference.net/ Atlantic Coast Conference]
  
 +
[https://www.mennoniteusa.org/ Mennonite Church USA]
 +
== Leading Bishops/Pastors at Conestoga Mennonite Church ==
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Name !! Years<br/>of Service
 +
|-
 +
| *Jacob Hertzler (1703-1786) || 1760-1786
 +
|-
 +
| *Jacob Mast (1738-1808) || 1788-1808
 +
|-
 +
| *Peter Plank/Blank (1745-1831) || 1808-1831
 +
|-
 +
| *John Plank/Blank (1755-1835) || 1831-1835
 +
|-
 +
| *John K. Stoltzfus (1805-1857) || 1835-1837<br />1845-1854
 +
|-
 +
| *David Beiler (1789-1871) || 1837-1845
 +
|-
 +
| John Mast (1795-1873) || 1830s?-1860?
 +
|-
 +
| Moses Hartz (1819-1916) || 1850s?-?
 +
|-
 +
| *Christian Umble (1809-1896) || 1854-1877
 +
|-
 +
| *John P. Mast (1826-1888) || 1877-1888
 +
|-
 +
| Christian U. Stoltzfus (1845-1929) || 1879-1929
 +
|-
 +
| Daniel Z. Mast (1862-1904) || 1884-1904
 +
|-
 +
| Gideon Stoltzfus (1835-1913)<br />* || 1868-1888<br />1888-1908
 +
|-
 +
| Daniel U. Stoltzfus (1841-1920) || 1890-?
 +
|-
 +
| *John S. Mast (1861-1951) || 1908-1951
 +
|-
 +
| David S. Yoder (1884-1967) || 1921-1967
 +
|-
 +
| Christian J. Kurtz (1901-1999) || 1931-1942
 +
|-
 +
| *Ira A. Kurtz (1902-1981) || 1944-1974
 +
|-
 +
| Millard R. Shoup (1914-1996) || 1952-1955?
 +
|-
 +
| Harvey Z. Stoltzfus (1935-2016) || 1958-1999
 +
|-
 +
| Nathan G. Stoltzfus (1933-2007) || 1971-1998
 +
|-
 +
| Alvin B. Horning || 1999-
 +
|-
 +
| Nelson S. Yoder (Associate) || 1999-2004?
 +
|-
 +
| James L. Hertzler (Associate) || 2006?-?
 +
|-
 +
| Arnold L. Petersheim (Associate) || 2006?-?
 +
|-
 +
| Robert Petersheim || 2009-2021
 +
|-
 +
| * = Bishop  ||
 +
|}
 +
== Membership at Conestoga Mennonite Church ==
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: right;"
 +
|-
 +
! Year !! Membership
 +
|-
 +
| 1850 || 30
 +
|-
 +
| 1882 || 80
 +
|-
 +
| 1920 || 180
 +
|-
 +
| 1930 || 382
 +
|-
 +
| 1940 || 425
 +
|-
 +
| 1950 || 398
 +
|-
 +
| 1960 || 307
 +
|-
 +
| 1970 || 271
 +
|-
 +
| 1980 || 260
 +
|-
 +
| 1990 || 238
 +
|-
 +
| 2000 || 230
 +
|-
 +
| 2007 || 288
 +
|-
 +
| 2020 || 135
 +
|}
 
{{GAMEO_footer|hp=Vol. 1, p. 668|date=1953|a1_last=Mast|a1_first=C. Z|a2_last=|a2_first=}}
 
{{GAMEO_footer|hp=Vol. 1, p. 668|date=1953|a1_last=Mast|a1_first=C. Z|a2_last=|a2_first=}}
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[[Category:Churches]]
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[[Category:Atlantic Coast Conference of Mennonite Church USA Congregations]]
 +
[[Category:Ohio and Eastern Mennonite Conference Congregations]]
 +
[[Category:Mennonite Church (MC) Congregations]]
 +
[[Category:Mennonite Church USA Congregations]]

Latest revision as of 12:16, 23 January 2022

Conestoga Mennonite Church in Morgantown, Pennsylvania in 1946.
Source: Mennonite Community Photograph Collection, The Congregation (HM4-134 Box 1 photo 010.0-21).
Mennonite Church USA Archives, Goshen, Indiana.
Conestoga Mennonite Church in Morgantown, Pennsylvania in July 1949.
Source: Mennonite Community Photograph Collection, The Congregation (HM4-134 Box 1 photo 010.0-18).
Mennonite Church USA Archives, Goshen, Indiana.

The Conestoga Mennonite Church (former Conestoga Amish Mennonite Church) is a member of Mennonite Church USA. It is located west of Morgantown, in Caernarvon Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Its members, most of whom were farmers in the 1950s, are located in the three adjoining counties of Lancaster, Berks, and Chester.

The church was founded in 1760 and is therefore the first permanent Amish Mennonite congregation in North America. Among the first settlers were those having the family names of Mast, Hoelley, Hertzler, and Lapp. Jacob Mast served as the first resident minister of the congregation and was elected its bishop in 1788. The following bishops served this church into the 1950s: Jacob Hertzler, 1760-1786; Jacob Mast, 1788-1808; Peter Plank, 1808-1831; John Plank, 1831-1835; John Stoltzfus, 1835-1837; David Beiler, 1837-1845; John K. Stoltzfus, 1845-1854; Christian Umble, 1854-1877; John P. Mast, 1877-1888; Gideon Stoltzfus, 1888-1908; John S. Mast, 1908-51; and Ira A. Kurtz, 1944-    .

About 1869 differences of opinion arose within the congregation concerning the adoption of more progressive forms of worship. The most conservative minority withdrew from the congregation in 1877, thus establishing an Old Order Amish group in the community. The larger group soon after this built its first church, dedicating it in June 1882. A subsequent church edifice was erected in 1923 (renovated in 1948), and another new facility in 2001. The church experienced a major fire in June 2008 but subsequently rebuilt.

In 1850 the membership of the church was 30, by 1882 it had grown to 80, by 1923 the number had increased to 225, and by 1952 the total was 380. The Conestoga Church had in the early 1950s planted three organized churches under its bishop jurisdiction. The Rock Amish Mennonite Church was organized in 1936, the Oley Church in 1942, and the Zion Church in 1951. The three are situated in Berks County, within a radius of 25 miles.

In 2013, the membership was 169; the pastor was Robert L. Petersheim and the youth pastor was Rachel Elizabeth Mast.

Bibliography

Mast, C. Z. and Robert E. Simpson. Annals of the Conestoga Valley in Lancaster, Berits, and Chester Counties, Pennsylvania. Elverson, Pennsylvania, 1942.

Mast, J. Lemar & Lois Anne. As long as wood grows and water flows: a history of the Conestoga Mennonite Church. Morgantown, Pa.: Conestoga Mennonite Historical Committee, 1982.

Stauffer, Cindy. "Out of the ashes." Lancaster New Era (16 June 2008). Web. 8 September 2012.http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/223173_Out-of-the-ashes.html

Stoltzfus, Grant M. Mennonites of the Ohio and Eastern Conference; From the Colonial Period in Pennsylvania to 1968. Studies in Anabaptist and Mennonite history, no. 13. Scottdale, Pa: Herald Press, 1969

Additional Information

Address: 2779 Main Street, Morgantown, Pennsylvania 19543

Phone: 610-286-9124

Website: Conestoga Mennonite Church

Denominational Affiliations: Atlantic Coast Conference

Mennonite Church USA

Leading Bishops/Pastors at Conestoga Mennonite Church

Name Years
of Service
*Jacob Hertzler (1703-1786) 1760-1786
*Jacob Mast (1738-1808) 1788-1808
*Peter Plank/Blank (1745-1831) 1808-1831
*John Plank/Blank (1755-1835) 1831-1835
*John K. Stoltzfus (1805-1857) 1835-1837
1845-1854
*David Beiler (1789-1871) 1837-1845
John Mast (1795-1873) 1830s?-1860?
Moses Hartz (1819-1916) 1850s?-?
*Christian Umble (1809-1896) 1854-1877
*John P. Mast (1826-1888) 1877-1888
Christian U. Stoltzfus (1845-1929) 1879-1929
Daniel Z. Mast (1862-1904) 1884-1904
Gideon Stoltzfus (1835-1913)
*		 1868-1888
1888-1908
Daniel U. Stoltzfus (1841-1920) 1890-?
*John S. Mast (1861-1951) 1908-1951
David S. Yoder (1884-1967) 1921-1967
Christian J. Kurtz (1901-1999) 1931-1942
*Ira A. Kurtz (1902-1981) 1944-1974
Millard R. Shoup (1914-1996) 1952-1955?
Harvey Z. Stoltzfus (1935-2016) 1958-1999
Nathan G. Stoltzfus (1933-2007) 1971-1998
Alvin B. Horning 1999-
Nelson S. Yoder (Associate) 1999-2004?
James L. Hertzler (Associate) 2006?-?
Arnold L. Petersheim (Associate) 2006?-?
Robert Petersheim 2009-2021
* = Bishop

Membership at Conestoga Mennonite Church

Year Membership
1850 30
1882 80
1920 180
1930 382
1940 425
1950 398
1960 307
1970 271
1980 260
1990 238
2000 230
2007 288
2020 135


Author(s) C. Z Mast
Date Published 1953

Cite This Article

MLA style

Mast, C. Z. "Conestoga Mennonite Church (Morgantown, Pennsylvania, USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1953. Web. 23 Nov 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Conestoga_Mennonite_Church_(Morgantown,_Pennsylvania,_USA)&oldid=172941.

APA style

Mast, C. Z. (1953). Conestoga Mennonite Church (Morgantown, Pennsylvania, USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 23 November 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Conestoga_Mennonite_Church_(Morgantown,_Pennsylvania,_USA)&oldid=172941.



Hpbuttns.png

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 668. All rights reserved.


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

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