CONTENTS
Thank you for visiting the Amish homepage at Angelfire. This site is not sponsored by any church or group. It is not sponsored by any tourism bureau. This site is an educational-informational source of general information. It is intended as an online resource to promote understanding. The site contains a researched article and does not necessarily represent the opinions of any Amish person. It does not contain photographs, out of respect to Amish beliefs......THE PEOPLE: The Amish and Mennonites are unique orthodox Christian separatists. Their churches date back to the Reformation Period in Europe in the early 1500's. The Anabaptists were separate from the Catholic and Protestant Churches concerning doctrine. The Anabaptists (as they were called) believed in adult baptism; separation of church and state; nonresistance; Bible authority; and nonconformity. In time one major group of Anabaptists became known as 'Mennonites'. Later, a conservative wing of Anabaptists broke away and became known as 'Amish' (these labels derived from names of early leaders). Persecution was fierce and eventually dispersed the Anabaptists across Europe, and eventually, to America. North America now holds the largest concentration of the Amish. Diversity between and among the groups is rather broad today. The Amish are composed of three major subgroups: Old Order, New Order and "Beachy". The Old Order are the most traditional and conservative, wearing somber plain clothes, avoiding use of electricity, holding church biweekly in members homes and using the horse and buggy. Mennonites are very diverse from conservative to contemporary. The Mennonites are known for their worldwide mission and public service work......THE BELIEFS: Like all cultural groups, religion and tradition interweave in the society of the Amish and the Mennonites. This phenomenon prevails more in Amish society. It can cause frictions between and within different groups, and can appear confusing to outside society. Also confusing to outsiders is the behavior of Amish youth, who in reality do not formally join the church until adulthood and until then are not bound by its rules. The basic tenets of faith are the same for both the Amish and Mennonites, and include: A Biblical Faith; Separation; Love; Nonconformity; Nonresistence; Simplicity; and Witness. The interpretation and application of these beliefs as they relate to cultural practice and indentity are what make the differences between groups in Amish and Mennonite culture. It is true that some leave the stricter churches, but the churches continue to grow. A German dialect, 'Pennsylvania German' is the mother tongue of the Amish and many Mennonite groups. It is basically a spoken language. Most all Amish use this language as their conversational tongue. Many Mennonites can also speak the dialect, but may not employ it as a primary language. The Amish also use formal German as their liturgical language in their songbooks, Bibles and prayerbooks. Amish children learn the old gothic text letters for reading German at Amish parochial school and at home. Some Amish children attend public school but many more attend Amish schools, governed and taught by the Amish themselves. The schools are unique to Amish beliefs and traditions. The Amish won the right via the courts to govern their own schools. Amish teachers are Amish people that have shown aptitude but have no formal training outside Amish society. Funding is done via tuition and donation. Amish children attend school either to age sixteen, or through an eighth grade education, depending upon the state they live in. Mennonites may attend either public or private school depending on the beliefs of the parents and their home church. There are many Mennonite private schools and also Mennonite Christian colleges... When choosing reading materials on the Amish and Mennonites, be careful to use the most reliable and recommended sources, and to research carefully. Many publications are inaccurate or relate only to certain groups or geographic areas......THE GEAUGA-TRUMBULL COUNTIES AREA: The Amish came to the area in the 1880's migrating from the Holmes County area. The Holmes area is the world's largest Amish community, while the Geauga-Trumbull area is the fourth largest (population over 10,000). The settlement also takes in parts of Ashtabula and Portage Counties. It is the second largest Amish-Mennonite community in Ohio. The settlement is known for both agricultural and industrial development. The Amish have contributed to both. The settlement contains numerous Old Order Amish churches, some New Order Amish churches, and one Beachy Amish church. There are dozens of Amish parochial schools in the area (grades 1-8). Mennonites first came to the area and built a church near Burton Station in 1947. Other Mennonite churches are now in the area, as well as some splinter groups. The Beachy Amish and Conservative Mennonites also have parochial schooling. Mennonites in the area range from conservative to contemporary. A major challenge to the Amish and Mennonites in the settlement is dealing with the ever increasing industrial development of Geauga County. The stability of the churches will depend on how well the groups balance tradition with the pressing encroachment of outside society on their lifestyle and economy. Visitors to the area will find the charm of Amish influence in such towns as Mesopotamia on SR 534, Middlefield on SR 87, and Burton on SR 87. A particularly beautiful site is Mesopotamia Commons in Trumbull County on SR 534, with it's century old commons park and general store. Dotted throughout the countryside are numerous Amish home businesses selling all kinds of products and wares. When visiting Amish country always keep in mind that some Amish people wish their privacy to be respected. Due to their beliefs it is a courtesy to ask before photographing Amish individuals. When driving in Amish country remember that you will likely encounter horse drawn transportation. Adjust your driving accordingly. There are two large cheese factories in the Middlefield area, one which was started by the Amish (Middlefield Cheese on SR 608) and one now supported directly by the Amish (Original Swiss Cheese Co-op on SR 87) These businesses are sure spots to stop and shop. Ridgeview Farm on SR 87 between Middlefield and Mesopotamia offers many seasonal activites for the family, as well as educational tours and field trips.........THE AUTHOR: This site is maintained by educator and author Dr. Thomas Newcomb. He is a retired public school teacher and lay minister who worked among the NE Ohio Amish for 32 years. He authored many booklets, articles and research projects on Amish culture and educational practices......His Homepage Link (for further information) is in the links below......(c)2004-2009 Dr. Thomas L. Newcomb.
Links of Interest
Geauga Link-General County Information
Bristol Library Resources on Trumbull County
Geauga County Tourism
Trumbull County Tourism
Local Amish Resource Information
Dr. Newcomb (website author) Homepage
Warren-Trumbull County Library-Very Useful Info
National Committee for Amish Religious Freedom