Nieuw-Scheemda, during the 16th-18th centuries usually called Scheemder-hamrik, is a hamlet in the Dutch province of Groningen and formerly the seat of a Mennonite congregation. Of the origin and history of this congregation not much is known. S. Blaupot ten Cate's assumption that the congregation of Scheemder-hamrik is identical with the Klei (Klein) Oldampt congregation is questionable. In 1650 Peter Jansen was a preacher of the Scheemder-hamrik congregation, which belonged to the Groningen Old Flemish branch and at this time had no meetinghouse. Meetings were held in Dirk Jans's home. From the early 18th century the congregation of Scheemder-hamrik, whose membership probably never surpassed 20, was always united with the congregation of neighboring Noordbroek (later mostly called Noordbroek and Nieuw-Scheemda). It was apparently not until the early 19th century that a meetinghouse was built at Nieuw-Scheemda, which was remodeled in 1840 and used until 1919. In 1921 it was sold, after its organ had been transported and installed in the Noordbroek church.

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, pp. 878-879. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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