Townline Mennonite Church (formerly Townline Conservative Mennonite Church), located six miles southwest of Shipshewana, Lagrange County, Indiana, was organized 25 March 1876, with Joseph Yoder as bishop and Joseph Bontrager as minister, and with about 75 charter members, most of whom had belonged to the Forks Mennonite congregation (Mennonite Church). John M. Hostetler was ordained minister in 1876. The church was built in 1877 and is still in use, although remodeled in 1923. Other ministers ordained were Jonathan Troyer 1873, Christian Yoder 1888, Jeptha Troyer 1913, Christian J. Miller 1918, and Noah S. Miller 1920. Jonathan J. Troyer was the most prominent figure in the history of this church, having served as bishop from 1895 until his death in 1930 at the age of 89 years. The Townline congregation in 1957 had a membership of 97, with Eli D. Miller, Calvin Bontrager, and John J. S. Yoder as ministers. The Griner congregation was established in 1922 as a branch of Townline, and Pleasant Grove in 1948 as a branch of Griner, while Riverview was established in 1952 by former members of both Townline and Griner.

Additional Information

Address: 2165 S 1000 W, Shipshewana, Indiana 46565

Telephone: 260-768-4800

Website: Townline Mennonite Church

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 739, 1148. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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