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The first colony of Mennonites in America to stand the test of permanency was established at Germantown, Pennsylvania, late in the year 1683. Of the first arrivals there were thirteen men and their families, making a total of thirty-three persons. These all boarded ship at Rotterdam, the principal seaport of the Netherlands. After a ten weeks voyage, taking final passage from London, England, they arrived at Philadelphia October 6, 1683. One of their number died during passage, two children were born while the vessel was at sea.

Their first habitations at Germantown were in the form of either rude log dwellings with cellars, or dugouts and caves without dwellings. The first minister and bishop who served the Mennonite Church in America was Wilhelm Rittenhuysen, and the first period of worship known to have been held was conducted at the home of Dennis Kunders, where all of the original thirteen families are said to have assembled. Jans Neus is mentioned as the first deacon to serve the Church in America. The first baptismal service known to have been held here was on Sunday May 9, 1708, and the first recorded communion meeting was held May 23, 1708.

Within the first year after the establishment of the colony, the first death occurred, the mother of