CHURCH: Amish Mennonite History, Part II, Somerset County, PA 

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Carol Hepburn (chepburn@cox.net)

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/
________________________________________________


Amish-Mennonite History, Part II by Carol Hepburn

The Amish communities that were settled in the United States prior to 1870 were 
altered by the creation of several major Mennonite conferences. These conferences 
were called to help settle or unify the variing factions that made up the whole 
American Amish-Mennonite movement. In 1862-78, the Amish General Conference recognized 
the following branches or division within the order. 

Old Order versus Progressive (1850-1880): The Old Order group resisted change the most 
out of all the Amish settlements in America. Little has changed from their initial 
emmigration to their current lifestyle today. The Progressive Amish Order organized 
three district conferences after 1882. They were Eastern Amish Mennonite; Indiana-Michigan 
Amish Mennonite; and the Western District Amish Mennonite. The Progressive movement later 
merged with the Mennonite Conferences and are now part of that branch of believers. 

Conservative Amish Mennonite (1910): This group is inbetween the two others and was organized 
about 1910. Many congregations have been formed under this conference and are loosley 
tied together. No formal Conference has been established. 

Evangelical Amish Mennonite and the Central Conference: The Alsatian-Amish groups in 
Illinios, Indiana and Ohio (1865-1875) formed this conference. They are now a part of 
the General Conference Mennonite Church. 

The characteristics and practices that are most well-known as being "Amish" are only 
characteristic of the Old Order Amish. 


Note: For more detailed information on the Amish Mennonites, please read the 
Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. I, A-C, pages 93-97, published 1956