In this video I give the origins of the Anabaptist movement in brief, and describe how the Amish emerged from that movement at the end of the 17th century. I also explain who Jakob Ammann and Menno Simons were.
Menno Simons
Contrary to what some might suppose, the two never crossed paths, with Ammann arriving on the scene around 150 years after Simons.
Menno Simons was a Dutch former Catholic priest who converted to Anabaptism. He was so influential in the early movement that its followers became known as “Mennonists” or “Mennonites”.
Jakob Ammann. Sketch by Mike Atnip
Jakob Amman was a tailor by trade, and lived in the Alsace region of France. He was also a convert to Anabaptism and a church leader. Following a schism in 1693, the more conservative Ammann’s followers became known as “Amish”.
Not too much is known about his life (it’s not even known with certainty which decade he died in). Likewise, as Steven Nolt explains in A History of the Amish, even the Amish don’t typically know much about him.
I go into more detail in the video, which you can view here. Runtime: 4:46.
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Interesting
Also note John Wesley where the Wesleyan church know as the United Methodist Church is today
Another Tidbit
I wasn’t able to watch the video, so you may have said this in it. If so my apologies for repeating. Menno Simons brother was killed in the Munsterite Uprising in which anabaptists were killed in Munster. This spurred Menno to learn more about their faith eventually leading to his conversion from catholocism.
What I like about these videos is that they are straight and to the point.
Too many youtube videos have people rambling on. You sum it up pretty good. Hit the important parts. An easy watch.
Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines
In two weeks, the patchwork festival will take place in Sainte Marie aux Mines, from where Jacob Amann made his split. I will do an article on the subject with pictures (if Erik wants). The Amish are regularly featured there. The little town has not forgotten that 1/3 of its population was Amish and that it is the starting point of the movement.