Kromwal was once a Mennonite church in the Dutch province of Friesland. It was a hamlet situated between Witmarsum and Sneek on a high sandy plateau, surrounded at that time by swamps. Here the Anabaptists met at night in the olden times, coming from the neighboring localities; for example, from Hennaard, where Leenaert Bouwens baptized 110 persons. According to the Frisian historian Schotanus, who was born in the vicinity, there was a meetinghouse here as early as 1615. Little is known of the fate of this congregation. When the Frisian Sociëteit was established (1695) it had a membership of 50. In 1835 the number was 65; in 1861, 98. Since Kromwal was no longer the center of the congregation, the members took over a new church and parsonage at Ytens in 1865, and changed their name accordingly. Since 1923 this church has united with Baard for its pastoral service. The area covered by the charge of the minister of Ytens and Baard is the most extensive in the province of Friesland.

See Ytens

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, p. 248. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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