The Mennonites in Europe (www.mwc-cmm.org)

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

Global Mennonite Population in Review: (Mennonite World Conference 2012 statistics, http://www.mwc-cmm.org)

Total Mennonites, in 83 countries 1,774,720 North America—29.8% 529,108 (USA 391,900; Canada 137,208) Latin America—10.5% 186,339 (Par. 33,251; Mex. 32,036; Bol. 24,988) Africa—38.3% 679,053 (Congo 235,202; Ethiopia 224,407) Asia–17.8% 315,645 (India 149,849; Indonesia 108,528) Europe—3.6% 64,575 (Ger. 46,757; NL 8,030; Switz. 2,500)

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

Baptized members in Europe: 64,575 (64,740 in 2009)

Of these, 41.0% are members of MWC

Note: The Aussiedler (20-30-40,000?) are not MWC members

Mennonites in Europe make up 3.6% of MWC Germany: 46,757 members

Netherlands: 8,030

Switzerland: 2,500

France: 2,100

Russia: 3,000?

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

Europe: the beginning of the Anabaptist movement Early beginnings in the 16th century Netherlands, northern Germany

Switzerland, southern Germany

Evangelism and persecution

Rapid growth

Many fled—emigrations East and West

Some imprisoned or executed

Many remained

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has

been laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

“Menno-Kate” The restored “Menno-Kate” (“Menno-House”), Bad Oldesloe

(35 km NE of Hamburg), Germany, is a small Mennonite

museum. The linden tree

was supposedly planted

by Menno Simons.

(Photo: Wikipedia)

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

The Anabaptists/Mennonites who remained behind slowly became acculturated

By the end of the 18th c. persecution had ended

French Revolution (1789-1799): new freedom and equality

Mennonites were still second-class citizens, not welcomed but tolerated, various restrictions

Major tension about refusing military service and oath

The strictest Mennonites (and poorest) emigrated

By 1914 nonresistance was mostly a “historical memory” for Mennonites in Western Europe (C.J. Dyck, Introduction, 388)

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

D. Kraybill’s categories (“traditional” and “assimilated”) and J. Friesen’s 3 “streams” (“conserving,” “evangelical,” and “Anabaptist”) don’t quite fit European Mennonites

The “old” Dutch/N. German Mennonites—assimilated, liberal, Anabaptism, social concerns, ecumenical; pietistic strand in NL

The “old” South German/Swiss/French Mennonites—also assimilated, theologically more evangelical, also Anabaptist

Post-WW II immigrants (Prussia and Russia)—assimilated

Rückwanderer—Post-WW II, returned from S. America—largely assimilated, evangelical; cooperate with S. German Mennonites

Aussiedler—latecomers from Russia—theologically conservative, largely separate from the others (and MWC)

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

The Netherlands Mennonite population decrease in 300 years:

160,000 members in 1700 27,000 by 1808 (Dyck, 388)

18,000 by 1990 8,000 by 2015

Mennonites are called “Doopsgezinde” (“baptism-minded”)

Basically integrated into Dutch society

Union, Algemeene Doopsgezinde Societeit, est. 1811

Missions started in Indonesia in 1851

Also charity and service programs in NL (incl. hospitals, seniors’ care homes, orphanages, ass’n to aid shipwrecked)

Peace movement started after WW I

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

The Netherlands (cont’d)

Hidden churches (“Schuilkerk”) required, even after persecution ended, gradually more conspicuous buildings

“Houselike" church

at Zijldijk, NL.

(Photo: GAMEO)

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

The Netherlands (cont’d)

First organ installed in Utrecht church 1765, others followed

Mennonite seminary in Amsterdam First supported by Amsterdam church, then ADS Training centre for nearly all Mennonite pastors Continues to present, associated with the Free University of A’dam

Theologically, the Dutch Mennonites on “liberal” end, but also a pietistic influence Some unique ties to German Aussiedler Mennonites

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

The Netherlands (from last session)

The Singelkerk, Amsterdam

Anabaptists were in A’dam by 1531

First wooden “hidden” church was built

at 454 Singel (canal) in 1608

Present church ( ) built 1639-1640;

called (“By the Lamb”) due to the nearby

brewery with same name

United with church “By the Sun” in 1801

White stone marker includes both symbols

In 1740 the house at 452 Singel ( ) was

bought—library, offices, meeting rooms

(See www.vdga.nl)

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

The Netherlands (cont’d)

Singelkerk, A’dam: Interior

The interior of the “hidden”

church has room for several

1000

Originally, the chairs on the main level were rented for 1 stuiver (Dutch coin, worth about 5 cents, before Napoleonic Wars; 20 stuivers = I guilder) —so the wealthier people sat there; the second balcony was where

the poor members sat

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

The Netherlands (cont’d)

Singelkerk, A’dam (cont’d)

Original organ was built 1777;

renovated 1930, 1983, 2014,

the old façade was maintained

(no further information)

Presently the Singelkerk has

about 400 members and 300

associate members

Because of the good acoustics, the church is

often used for concerts

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

The Netherlands (cont’d)

Singelkerk, A’dam

The 400th anniversary of the

church was celebrated in 2008

(banner covers the entire front

façade of the church)

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

Germany Differences between N. and S. German Mennonites N. German Mennonites similar to Dutch—mostly urban S. German Mennonites more like Swiss—more rural;

influence of Pietism and Baptists Differences from Anabaptist origins, also later influences

Important centres in S. Germany Weierhof—school and historical centre/archives Thomashof—retreat centre European Mennonite Bible School, Bienenberg

(Switzerland)

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

Germany (cont’d)

Important centres in North Germany Hamburg Krefeld Emden/Leer

Hamburg-Altona Mennonite

Church (Photo: GAMEO)

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

Germany (cont’d) Mennonite Church, Leer (East Friesland), Germany

Congregation in existence since at least 1635 Affiliated with Emden MC,

also with Dutch MC Membership never >50

(Photo: GAMEO)

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

Germany (cont’d) Mennonites in N. and S. German have 52 congregations

3 conferences (Vereinigung, Verband, Arbeitsgemeinschaft)

All work together in Arbeitsgemeinschaft (est. 1990)

Active in work with youth and children, publications, mission, service projects, Mennonite history (M. Geschichtsblätter)

Major influence of WW II

Life in Nazi Germany difficult

Military service required

Many killed or displaced, home and church life disrupted

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

Germany (cont’d)

A unique Mennonite archive: Mennonitische Forschungsstelle

Weierhof, Palatinate

(Photo: GAMEO)

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

Germany (cont’d)

Enormous migrations of German people, incl. Mennonites

Prussian Mennonites moved to West Germany (1940s)

Prussian Mennonites migrated to N. and S. America (1950s)

Russian Mennonite refugees to W. Germany (1940s)

—some stayed, most went to N. or S. America (1940s-50s)

Some S. American Mennonites returned (Rückwanderer)

Aussiedler from Russia to W. Germany (1970s-2000)

—some have moved on to Canada

Integration of newer and older Mennonite groups difficult

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

Germany (cont’d) Henry Kliewer, Winnipeg,

and his Aunt Maria Dick (nee Woelk), Lage, Germany in 2015.

Maria Dick is a typical Mennonite Aussiedler,

came to Germany from Central Asia in 1970s.

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

Switzerland (“Altevangelische taufgesinnte Gemeinden”)

Again, one of the original countries of Anabaptist origins Severe persecution in the early years Later tolerance

Some of strictest Mennonites emigrated Eastward to Austria, Moravia, Russia West to North America

Those who stayed, moved to remote farms and prospered Urbanization from 1970s Ties to MCC after WW II, other missions and service work European Menn. Bible School (Bienenberg)

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

Bienenberg Theological School and Retreat Centre (near Basle, Switzerland)

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

France Most French Mennonites in live Alsace, immigrated from

Berne and Basel cantons in Switzerland—German background Montbeliard (near Swiss border) is an important centre Surrounding area mostly French and R.C.problems, better after Vatican II (1960s) MCC work after WW II (refugee aid, orphanages) MC mission in Paris, 1953 French conference was established in 1980 Montbeliard Church (GAMEO)

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

Two major phenomena: The Aussiedler Returnees to Germany from Russia and Central Asia since 1970s Numbers are very difficult to ascertain (20-50,000?) Mennonite-related about 1/10 of all Aussiedler Tend to be conservative and isolationist, suspicious of larger

society, limited cooperation with other Mennonites New mission churches North American mission organizations have started programs in

France (Paris), Spain, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, England

Most are recent (<50 years) and fairly small numbers Active vision for Anabaptist faith

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

Mennonite population in Europe

Netherlands

Germany

Switzerland

France

Russia

Others

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

Mennonite population in Europe

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

Europe Aussiedler

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

Looking ahead: Issues facing the European Mennonites (From Testing Faith and Tradition: Global Mennonite History Series:

Europe, 2006, “Epilogue”)

Diversity—languages, national boundaries and conflicts, culture and lifestyles, governments, theologies Political barriers—notably the communist regime in Eastern

Europe and the consequences of World War II Cooperation—in missions, relief, peace (MCC, EMEK) Identity and unity—traditional Mennonite groups are

decreasing—relationship to the Aussiedler is complex Old and new congregations—some churches closing, new

churches being started in Eng., Spain, Port., Italy, Ukraine—much enthusiasm and energy inmost cases

© 2015 Victor Kliewer

References: C.J. Dyck, Introduction to Mennonite History

GAMEO

Testing Faith and Tradition: Global Mennonite History Series: Europe (Good Books, 2006)

Mennonitisches Lexikon: www.mennlex.de

Focus of next session:

Mennonites in Asia

© 2015 Victor Kliewer