Blija (Friesland, Netherlands)
Blija, a town (pop. about 1,200 in 1950) in the Dutch province of Friesland, where a Mennonite congregation was founded between 1600 and 1610, or even earlier. After a visit by the traveling elder, Jan Jacobsz, in Blija, a second church was formed here adhering to the Jan-Jacobsgezinden, which existed until 1767 and then merged with the other congregation. Later on Blija united with Holwerd, retaining its own management for a time. The Blija congregation had about eight members in 1950 in the town and vicinity. The church, built in 1806, was thoroughly renovated in 1853-1854, but it was sold in 1935, the last service being held in it on 15 February 1935. Every second Sunday the Mennonites of Blija attended services in Holwerd.
Bibliography
Cate, Steven Blaupot ten. Geschiedenis der Doopsgezinden in Friesland. Leeuwarden: W. Eekhoff, 1839: 160, 164, 223, 306.
Hege, Christian and Christian Neff. Mennonitisches Lexikon. 4 v. Frankfurt & Weierhof: Hege; Karlsruhe; Schneider, 1913-1967: I, 237.
Nederlands archief voor kerkgeschiedenis (9): 227.
Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 362. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.
©1996-2008 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.
To cite this page:
MLA style: Loosjes, J and Nanne van der Zijpp. "Blija (Friesland, Netherlands)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1953. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 12 May 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/B5611.html>
APA style: Loosjes, J and Nanne van der Zijpp. (1953). "Blija (Friesland, Netherlands)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 12 May 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/B5611.html>
