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The Mennonites in Europe (www.mwc-cmm.org)
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
Global Mennonite Population in Review: (Mennonite World Conference 2012 statistics, http://www.mwc-cmm.org)
Total Mennonites, in 83 countries 1,774,720 North America—29.8% 529,108 (USA 391,900; Canada 137,208) Latin America—10.5% 186,339 (Par. 33,251; Mex. 32,036; Bol. 24,988) Africa—38.3% 679,053 (Congo 235,202; Ethiopia 224,407) Asia–17.8% 315,645 (India 149,849; Indonesia 108,528) Europe—3.6% 64,575 (Ger. 46,757; NL 8,030; Switz. 2,500)
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
Baptized members in Europe: 64,575 (64,740 in 2009)
Of these, 41.0% are members of MWC
Note: The Aussiedler (20-30-40,000?) are not MWC members
Mennonites in Europe make up 3.6% of MWC Germany: 46,757 members
Netherlands: 8,030
Switzerland: 2,500
France: 2,100
Russia: 3,000?
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
Europe: the beginning of the Anabaptist movement Early beginnings in the 16th century Netherlands, northern Germany
Switzerland, southern Germany
Evangelism and persecution
Rapid growth
Many fled—emigrations East and West
Some imprisoned or executed
Many remained
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has
been laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
“Menno-Kate” The restored “Menno-Kate” (“Menno-House”), Bad Oldesloe
(35 km NE of Hamburg), Germany, is a small Mennonite
museum. The linden tree
was supposedly planted
by Menno Simons.
(Photo: Wikipedia)
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
The Anabaptists/Mennonites who remained behind slowly became acculturated
By the end of the 18th c. persecution had ended
French Revolution (1789-1799): new freedom and equality
Mennonites were still second-class citizens, not welcomed but tolerated, various restrictions
Major tension about refusing military service and oath
The strictest Mennonites (and poorest) emigrated
By 1914 nonresistance was mostly a “historical memory” for Mennonites in Western Europe (C.J. Dyck, Introduction, 388)
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
D. Kraybill’s categories (“traditional” and “assimilated”) and J. Friesen’s 3 “streams” (“conserving,” “evangelical,” and “Anabaptist”) don’t quite fit European Mennonites
The “old” Dutch/N. German Mennonites—assimilated, liberal, Anabaptism, social concerns, ecumenical; pietistic strand in NL
The “old” South German/Swiss/French Mennonites—also assimilated, theologically more evangelical, also Anabaptist
Post-WW II immigrants (Prussia and Russia)—assimilated
Rückwanderer—Post-WW II, returned from S. America—largely assimilated, evangelical; cooperate with S. German Mennonites
Aussiedler—latecomers from Russia—theologically conservative, largely separate from the others (and MWC)
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
The Netherlands Mennonite population decrease in 300 years:
160,000 members in 1700 27,000 by 1808 (Dyck, 388)
18,000 by 1990 8,000 by 2015
Mennonites are called “Doopsgezinde” (“baptism-minded”)
Basically integrated into Dutch society
Union, Algemeene Doopsgezinde Societeit, est. 1811
Missions started in Indonesia in 1851
Also charity and service programs in NL (incl. hospitals, seniors’ care homes, orphanages, ass’n to aid shipwrecked)
Peace movement started after WW I
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
The Netherlands (cont’d)
Hidden churches (“Schuilkerk”) required, even after persecution ended, gradually more conspicuous buildings
“Houselike" church
at Zijldijk, NL.
(Photo: GAMEO)
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
The Netherlands (cont’d)
First organ installed in Utrecht church 1765, others followed
Mennonite seminary in Amsterdam First supported by Amsterdam church, then ADS Training centre for nearly all Mennonite pastors Continues to present, associated with the Free University of A’dam
Theologically, the Dutch Mennonites on “liberal” end, but also a pietistic influence Some unique ties to German Aussiedler Mennonites
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
The Netherlands (from last session)
The Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Anabaptists were in A’dam by 1531
First wooden “hidden” church was built
at 454 Singel (canal) in 1608
Present church ( ) built 1639-1640;
called (“By the Lamb”) due to the nearby
brewery with same name
United with church “By the Sun” in 1801
White stone marker includes both symbols
In 1740 the house at 452 Singel ( ) was
bought—library, offices, meeting rooms
(See www.vdga.nl)
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
The Netherlands (cont’d)
Singelkerk, A’dam: Interior
The interior of the “hidden”
church has room for several
1000
Originally, the chairs on the main level were rented for 1 stuiver (Dutch coin, worth about 5 cents, before Napoleonic Wars; 20 stuivers = I guilder) —so the wealthier people sat there; the second balcony was where
the poor members sat
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
The Netherlands (cont’d)
Singelkerk, A’dam (cont’d)
Original organ was built 1777;
renovated 1930, 1983, 2014,
the old façade was maintained
(no further information)
Presently the Singelkerk has
about 400 members and 300
associate members
Because of the good acoustics, the church is
often used for concerts
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
The Netherlands (cont’d)
Singelkerk, A’dam
The 400th anniversary of the
church was celebrated in 2008
(banner covers the entire front
façade of the church)
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
Germany Differences between N. and S. German Mennonites N. German Mennonites similar to Dutch—mostly urban S. German Mennonites more like Swiss—more rural;
influence of Pietism and Baptists Differences from Anabaptist origins, also later influences
Important centres in S. Germany Weierhof—school and historical centre/archives Thomashof—retreat centre European Mennonite Bible School, Bienenberg
(Switzerland)
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
Germany (cont’d)
Important centres in North Germany Hamburg Krefeld Emden/Leer
Hamburg-Altona Mennonite
Church (Photo: GAMEO)
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
Germany (cont’d) Mennonite Church, Leer (East Friesland), Germany
Congregation in existence since at least 1635 Affiliated with Emden MC,
also with Dutch MC Membership never >50
(Photo: GAMEO)
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
Germany (cont’d) Mennonites in N. and S. German have 52 congregations
3 conferences (Vereinigung, Verband, Arbeitsgemeinschaft)
All work together in Arbeitsgemeinschaft (est. 1990)
Active in work with youth and children, publications, mission, service projects, Mennonite history (M. Geschichtsblätter)
Major influence of WW II
Life in Nazi Germany difficult
Military service required
Many killed or displaced, home and church life disrupted
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
Germany (cont’d)
A unique Mennonite archive: Mennonitische Forschungsstelle
Weierhof, Palatinate
(Photo: GAMEO)
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
Germany (cont’d)
Enormous migrations of German people, incl. Mennonites
Prussian Mennonites moved to West Germany (1940s)
Prussian Mennonites migrated to N. and S. America (1950s)
Russian Mennonite refugees to W. Germany (1940s)
—some stayed, most went to N. or S. America (1940s-50s)
Some S. American Mennonites returned (Rückwanderer)
Aussiedler from Russia to W. Germany (1970s-2000)
—some have moved on to Canada
Integration of newer and older Mennonite groups difficult
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
Germany (cont’d) Henry Kliewer, Winnipeg,
and his Aunt Maria Dick (nee Woelk), Lage, Germany in 2015.
Maria Dick is a typical Mennonite Aussiedler,
came to Germany from Central Asia in 1970s.
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
Switzerland (“Altevangelische taufgesinnte Gemeinden”)
Again, one of the original countries of Anabaptist origins Severe persecution in the early years Later tolerance
Some of strictest Mennonites emigrated Eastward to Austria, Moravia, Russia West to North America
Those who stayed, moved to remote farms and prospered Urbanization from 1970s Ties to MCC after WW II, other missions and service work European Menn. Bible School (Bienenberg)
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
Bienenberg Theological School and Retreat Centre (near Basle, Switzerland)
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
France Most French Mennonites in live Alsace, immigrated from
Berne and Basel cantons in Switzerland—German background Montbeliard (near Swiss border) is an important centre Surrounding area mostly French and R.C.problems, better after Vatican II (1960s) MCC work after WW II (refugee aid, orphanages) MC mission in Paris, 1953 French conference was established in 1980 Montbeliard Church (GAMEO)
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
Two major phenomena: The Aussiedler Returnees to Germany from Russia and Central Asia since 1970s Numbers are very difficult to ascertain (20-50,000?) Mennonite-related about 1/10 of all Aussiedler Tend to be conservative and isolationist, suspicious of larger
society, limited cooperation with other Mennonites New mission churches North American mission organizations have started programs in
France (Paris), Spain, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, England
Most are recent (<50 years) and fairly small numbers Active vision for Anabaptist faith
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
Mennonite population in Europe
Netherlands
Germany
Switzerland
France
Russia
Others
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
Mennonite population in Europe
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
Europe Aussiedler
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
Looking ahead: Issues facing the European Mennonites (From Testing Faith and Tradition: Global Mennonite History Series:
Europe, 2006, “Epilogue”)
Diversity—languages, national boundaries and conflicts, culture and lifestyles, governments, theologies Political barriers—notably the communist regime in Eastern
Europe and the consequences of World War II Cooperation—in missions, relief, peace (MCC, EMEK) Identity and unity—traditional Mennonite groups are
decreasing—relationship to the Aussiedler is complex Old and new congregations—some churches closing, new
churches being started in Eng., Spain, Port., Italy, Ukraine—much enthusiasm and energy inmost cases
© 2015 Victor Kliewer
References: C.J. Dyck, Introduction to Mennonite History
GAMEO
Testing Faith and Tradition: Global Mennonite History Series: Europe (Good Books, 2006)
Mennonitisches Lexikon: www.mennlex.de
Focus of next session:
Mennonites in Asia
© 2015 Victor Kliewer