1958 Article
1989 Update

Mennonite congregations in Virginia and West Virginia, 1950s. Mennonite Encyclopedia, v. 4, pp. 830-831.

The territory of this state, located west of Virginia was a part of Virginia until 20 April 1863. On that date, West Virginia was declared a separate state by President Lincoln. This action was the result of the refusal of the northwestern counties of Virginia to accept the secession from the union decreed by the majority of the counties.

A few Mennonite Church (MC) families settled within the bounds of West Virginia near the close of the 18th century. These early settlements were made in Greenbrier and Rockbridge counties. Since the formation of the new state in 1863 the witness of the Shenandoah Valley Mennonite churches has been effectually brought to the people of Pendleton, Randolph, Tucker, and Hardy counties of West Virginia, which are over the mountains just across the Virginia border. In these areas there were in 1957 a total of 21 congregations, missions, or preaching points, with a total of 533 baptized members. The oldest of these was Salem at Needmore, started in 1868, with 113 members in 1957. These congregations were all Virginia Conference and were served by the bishops of two of the Shenandoah Valley districts. -- HAB

1989 Update

The population of West Virginia declined during the 1950s through the 1980s, especially in coal mining and lumbering areas. The exodus from the highlands encouraged several Mennonite congregations to consolidate. By 1987 there were 13 Mennonite congregations in West Virginia with a total membership of 384. Eight of these congregations were affiliated with the Virginia Mennonite Conference (MC), three with Southeastern Mennonite conference, and two with Allegheny Mennonite Conference (MC).

Mennonites in the Appalachian regions of West Virginia have promoted craft production, a medical clinic at Harman, a campground (Harman Mountain Farm), and, for a time, a Discipleship Center (also at Harman), sponsored by Mennonite Board of Missions (Mennonite Church).

Mennonite Disaster Service made a significant contribution following the flood disasters at Man (1971) and Petersburg (1985). -- PLK

Bibliography

Additional Information

©1996-2008 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.

To cite this page: