About Our Amish Community

During the years 1525-27, a group emerged from the Reformation in Switzerland. They were known as the Anabaptist because they rejected infant baptism. They were the first to teach separation of Church and State. In 1536 Menno Simon (a former Catholic priest) became a leader of the movement. His followers were known as Mennonites. He believed in religious and civil liberty, religious toleration and the Biblical concept of peace.

Jacob Ammon became an influential leader in the late 1600’s. He and Menno Simon disagreed over shunning and other minor issues. As the breach between the two men widened, several attempts to heal the breach failed; and, in 1710, the break was complete. The followers of Jacob Amman became the Old Order Amish. Persecution of these groups, from 1719-30, made them move from country to country, mainly from Germany to France, Bavaria and Luxembourg. Holland, Russia and Switzerland also provided refuge for a while.

The first immigration to the United States was in 1683 when 13 families come to Pennsylvania. The first shipload arrived in 1727. Several more came until the American Revolution. From 1815-1861, more families came. In 1870 the Czar changed his policy toward them, and they fled to the United States.

The first half of the 18^th century, Southeastern Pennsylvania was the center for the Amish, and then they began to move westward to Ohio and Indiana.

The Amish, as well as Conservative Mennonites do not serve in the military. They do volunteer their time in public service, mainly in hospitals.

Until recently they did not pay into Social Security. Some of those who work off the farm in factories or construction do. They do not have insurance—health, life or household. They take care of their own by holding auctions (donating hand-crafted furniture, quilts and baked goods). They also tithe at their own church services, in the spring and the fall and this goes into a fund to help those in need.

They have no church buildings. They have services every other week in their homes and each family have to take a turn. There are 25 church districts in the Arthur area. A large wagon containing benches, silverware and hymnals in moved from house to house.

Upon arrival at the home where church is begin held, the ministers go to a separate room for a council meeting and decide who gives the first sermon. If anyone needs to be disciplined, they decide what course of action to take. Their church service starts with a sing (which is more of a chant). They use no musical instruments. This is followed by a 30-minute sermon, then a 10-minute prayer. The main sermon lasts 1-1 ½ hours, and then there are testimonies, another 10-minute prayer (kneeling). Following this is another 20 minutes of singing. Announcements are then made and any discipline carried out.

The Bishop is the head of the district, each district also has 2 Ministers and 1 Deacon who serve, and these positions are for life with no monetary pay. The Deacon takes care of administering to those who need help and resolve any problems among members. He also helps the Bishop baptize the men. (The Bishop’s wife helps baptize the women) Upon the death or retirement of a church leader, a vote is taken and each member votes for any married male church member. Those with three or more votes are put in a lot. From this group they each select a hymnal, where the Bible verse Acts 1:24-25 has been place in one of them. (“They gave their lots, and the lot fell upon Mathias and he was numbered with the Apostles”) Whoever draws the hymnal with this verse inside is the new leader, in this way they feel that God has had a hand in choosing the new leader.

They are buried in a plain hand-made wooden casket, which has a plain white lining. The funeral services are held in their homes. Their church and funeral services are conducted in German. This is their main language.

Baptism is a time of self-examination and faults are confessed. This takes place when they are young adults, they do not baptize at infancy. Communion is held twice a year in the spring and in the fall.

There are no rings exchanged in wedding ceremonies. The bride is married in a plain dark colored dress. The men do not shave after marriage. Shunning is moderate with the mid-west Amish, and it depends on the Bishop of their church district.

Another name for this sect is “the plain people” because of their very plain clothing. The men wear blue denim jackets and pants with suspenders and solid colored shirts. Only married men grow bears. The women never cut their hair and their clothing is always-solid colors. Print material is not allowed. The women wear a little white organdy cap known as a “covering” and a black bonnet as a head covering away from home. The women make all of the families clothing that they wear.

The Amish farm their land with teams of Belgium horses. Driving horses, standard bred, are used with black buggies for transportation. There are blacktopped buggy paths along Route 133 made specifically for the Amish to drive their horse & buggies on. Drivers should be alert for the slower moving traffic on the roads. Although their living style has changed somewhat, they still cling to a strong literal translation of the Bible and live their life accordingly. Living in this world but not of it.

Visitors should also be aware that the Amish do not like to be photographed.

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