Mattawana Mennonite Church (Conservative Mennonite Conference), near Mattawana, PA, was formerly a member of the Ohio and Eastern Conference, was formerly called the River Church. Amish families, Hooleys and Yoders, from Lancaster and Berks counties, PA, settled along the Juniata River near Lewistown as early as 1793. When the congregation was organized is not known, but in 1818 the ministers were Christ King and Christ Yoder, and Daniel Stutzman was deacon. In 1840-1868 there were no resident ministers, the church being served by ministers from Kishacoquillas Valley.

Outstanding personalities in the history of this church were Michael Yoder (1831-1923), ordained to the ministry in 1868 and bishop in 1885, and Shem Zook (1798-1880), an author, publisher, and educator. The first meetinghouse was built in 1871, at which time the congregation affiliated itself with the Eastern Amish Mennonite Conference. The congregation remained small. Other resident ministers were John S. Yoder, John E. Kauffman (bishop), Samuel K. Yoder, Harry E. Kauffman, and Milo M. Yoder. In 1954 the membership was 127, under the ministry of Samuel Kauffman bishop, and Ross Metzler and M. M. Yoder ministers.

In 1957 the congregation switched to the Allegheny Mennonite Conference because of geographical proximity. After 1999 the congregation joined the Conservative Mennonite Conference. In 2006 the membership was 61; the pastor was Leon Yoder.

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, p. 538. 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: Hostetler, John A. "Mattawana Mennonite Church (Lewistown, Pennsylvania, USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1957. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 15 May 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/M38233.html>

APA style: Hostetler, John A. (1957). "Mattawana Mennonite Church (Lewistown, Pennsylvania, USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 15 May 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/M38233.html>