Bowmansville Mennonite Church (Mennonite Church USA) in Brecknock Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, near Bowmansville, belongs to the Lancaster Mennonite Conference. The first Mennonite settlers were Jacob and Christian Good in 1738. The first preacher was Christian Bauman (1724-1790). The congregation was organized probably in 1752, first worshiping in the home of Christian Good. The first meetinghouse was built in 1794 in the village of Bowmansville, and the second in 1875 a mile (1.5 km) south of Bowmansville. In 1921 the third was built on the same spot. In 1851 in this congregation a division occurred over the free school system which left it in a weakened condition. In 1852 Bishop Jacob Mosemann (1795-1876) came from Trappstadt, Bavaria, Germany, to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and served in this congregation. His sermons were short, earnest, and convincing. The congregation took on new life near the close of his life. He ordained Benjamin Horning (1827-1903) as his successor in the ministry. Horning was one of the most eloquent pulpit orators of his day, the congregation growing in membership during his ministry. The 1953 membership was 427. 2009 membership was 285.

Additional Information

Address: 129 Pleasant Valley Road, East Earl, Pennsylvania 17519

Phone: 717-445-4449

Website: Bowmansville Mennonite Church

Denominational Affiliations:

Lancaster Mennonite Conference

Mennonite Church USA

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 399. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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