Page:Mennonite Handbook of Information 1925.djvu/73



Following is a list of bodies that have either seceded from the Mennonite Church in America, or came from Europe as independent bodies, or are subdivisions of bodies that had previously seceded from the parent church. Though clinging to the name. Mennonite, in some form, they are not in fellowship with the parent body, in some cases differing widely from it in faith and practice.

1. Amish Mennonites (Old Order)—followers of Jacob Ammon, a Mennonite bishop in Europe who was separated from his brethren about the year 1692. Under the leadership of Jacob Hertzler and others, many of these came to America a few decades later. Latest statistics assign this church 84 bishops, 231 ministers, 55 deacons, and 7746 members.

2. Reformed Mennonites—organized in 1811 by John Herr and others. At present this church is credited with 20 places of worship, 15 bishops, 33 ministers, 16 deacons, and 2794 members.

3. Stauffer People—organized in 1846 by Jacob Stauffer. Present membership, about 200.

4. General Conference Mennonites—organized about 1860 by J. H. Oberholtzer and others. This church had its start in eastern Pennsylvania in 1847,. when Oberholtzer severed his connection with the Franconia Conference. He was joined a few years. later by several Swiss Mennonite congregations in