Who Was Jakob Ammann? Q-and-A & Book Giveaway

Grounded Upon God’s Word: The Life and Labors of Jakob Ammann is a new book by co-authors Andrew V. Ste. Marie and Mike Atnip. Ammann was the early leader of the Amish, for whom the group is named.

For many years, little was known about Ammann, though in recent decades fresh research has revealed more about Ammann’s personal life beyond the schism which created the Amish and Mennonite factions of the Swiss Brethren.

Joseph Stoll, Amish co-founder of Pathway Publishers had this to say about the book: “We welcome this fresh and factual biography of Jakob Ammann. His life story is worth reading, and we can learn from Jakob Ammann’s unswerving vision of a holy and disciplined church of Jesus Christ.”

Today Andrew V. Ste. Marie has kindly agreed to answers some questions about Ammann’s life and legacy. The authors have also offered a book for giveaway to an Amish America reader.

Win a copy of Grounded Upon God’s Word

To enter to win a copy of Grounded Upon God’s Word, simply leave a comment on this post. I will draw one winner at random and post it here next Tuesday.

Q & A with Andrew V. Ste. Marie on Grounded Upon God’s Word: The Life and Labors of Jakob Ammann

Amish America: Who was Jakob Ammann?

Andrew V. Ste. Marie: Jakob Ammann (1644-c. 1730) was a leader among the Swiss Brethren Anabaptists, and was a leader in the first major schism among that group, resulting in its division into two groups, known today as the Amish and Mennonites. The Amish group was so named after Jakob Ammann.

Ammann was raised in the Reformed state church and joined the Anabaptists in his 30s, and at some point (probably soon after joining the Anabaptists) left Switzerland and moved to Alsace, France, where Anabaptists enjoyed greater religious toleration.

Simmental Valley, Switzerland

Amish America: How do perceptions of Jakob Ammann differ today?

Andrew V. Ste. Marie: Many misconceptions about him circulate today. I have heard bizarre retellings of the Amish/Mennonite schism, many of which feature Jakob Ammann dividing from Menno Simons (the two actually lived decades apart) over such issues as beards and buttons (neither of which featured in the actual debates at the time of the division).

Additionally, the idea persists that Jakob Ammann was a harsh, unreasonable, and impatient man who provoked a division in the Swiss Brethren Anabaptist community by his authoritarian actions. Recent research—upon which our book is based—takes a more nuanced approach, seeing Ammann as a man who tried patient means of resolving differences in views between various Swiss Brethren groups, but who ultimately succumbed to impatience under the stress of being “wanted” by a persecuting government and dealing with people who were acting very uncooperatively.

What were the main issues in the schism?

The dispute began in 1693, between Ammann and some of his co-ministers from Alsace, France, and Anabaptists living in Canton Bern, Switzerland. There were three main issues at the beginning: 1) the state of the Truehearted (explained below), 2) whether liars should be excommunicated from the church, and 3) how those in the church should relate to those who had been excommunicated.

Erlenbach church, where Ammann was baptized as an infant

Ammann insisted that liars should be excommunicated, while at least some of the Bernese ministers disagreed. Ammann also taught “shunning,” that church members should not have social interaction with someone who had been excommunicated. Many of the Bernese ministers thought that excommunicated persons should be banned from sharing Communion with the church, but that sharing social meals with them was acceptable.

As time went on, the dispute came to focus exclusively on the issue of shunning. Amish and Mennonites differ on this point to this day.

Who were the Truehearted and what was their importance?

The Truehearted (also called half-Anabaptists) were members of the Protestant state church who sympathized with the Anabaptists to various degrees. Some gave aid to the Anabaptists, such as warning them of authorities approaching to arrest them or providing hiding places for them. They were very important allies for Anabaptists as they sought to survive in hostile Canton Bern.

Some Anabaptist ministers in Canton Bern, appreciative of the Truehearted’s contributions to their safety, told the Truehearted that they could be saved even though they did not join the Anabaptist church through believer’s baptism. Jakob Ammann, himself a convert from the state church, insisted that expressing such sentiments was out of order. The Truehearted should be encouraged to commit themselves fully to following Christ and carrying His cross, including receiving believer’s baptism, before they could be comforted with the hope of salvation.

What are some of the biggest unknowns about Jakob Ammann that you wish we had answers for today?

The two biggest unknowns in the main outline of his life are 1) his conversion to Anabaptism—how he became interested in Anabaptism, how and why he decided to convert, who baptized him, etc.; and 2) the time and location of his death.

Photo of what may have been the Ammanns’ house

Beyond that, the unknowns of his life are best underscored by a piece of information which I read about and was able to include in the book just as it was about to go to the printer. In 1665, Ammann’s wife was reprimanded and fined by the Chorgericht (morals court) of the Swiss town where they lived for carrying hot coals through the streets in an improper container. While this underscores how seriously early Modern Europeans took fire safety, it is also the kind of human interest story which underscores just how little we actually know about the Ammanns’ lives. We may know the main outline, but much of the human color has vanished.

What are some of the more surprising things you discovered in researching and writing this work?

One thing was the town of Ammann’s residence in Alsace, named Ste. Marie-aux-Mines. Several people have asked if my name has any connection with the town. It does not (Ste. Marie is simply the French spelling of Saint Mary), but it still feels like I have a personal connection to the story!

Ste. Marie aux-Mines

What was life like for Ammann and his followers, following the schism?

Many of those who followed Ammann lived in Alsace, France, which offered some degree of religious toleration. In Ste. Marie-aux-Mines, the Anabaptists (Amish and non-Amish) had restored the land to productivity after it had fallen into disuse and disrepair following the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648). Since they made up a significant proportion of the population and paid a proportionate amount of taxes, the non-political Anabaptists, ironically, had a significant influence on the local government. When Jakob Ammann asked the local authorities for something, they were generally quite willing to oblige!

What do we know about Ammann’s family?

Jakob was the third of six children born to Michel and Anna Ammann. Michel went on to convert to Anabaptism, as did Jakob, his younger brother Ulli, and probably one sister.

Jakob married Verena Stüdler before joining the Anabaptists. We know they had at least one daughter, although the details of their family are obscure for two reasons: 1) if an Anabaptist refused to have his child baptized, there would, of course, be no official record of that child in an age before birth certificates; and 2) Jakob had an uncle of the same name living in the same town, and it is difficult to tell in some records which Jakob is meant!

Are there any known descendants of Ammann?

No. The Ammann name died out among the Anabaptists, although if Jakob had daughters who remained with the Amish, it is possible that he does have Amish descendants under different last names.

Why did you decide to write this book?

The first Anabaptist church I was part of was composed mostly of people from an Amish background. I heard stories about Jakob Ammann—such as the true story of him excommunicating seven ministers in one meeting in a barn—for the first time from them. His mysterious and shadowy nature intrigued me greatly, and I found him an interesting person to research as I delved deeper and deeper into Anabaptist history. As I started to write about Anabaptist history, Ammann seemed like a natural subject to write about. His mystique, however, has never disappeared for me.

What is Jakob Ammann’s legacy?

His most visible and recognizable legacy is, of course, the existence of the Amish church. To me, though, his legacy is in his steadfastness for truth and his willingness to repent and admit when he was in error, seeking reconciliation (sadly, unsuccessfully) with those he had earlier disagreed with.

Where is your book available?

The book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the publisher’s website, Sermon on the Mount Publishing. It is the third volume in the Cross Bearers Series, which also features earlier Anabaptist leaders Conrad Grebel and Michael Sattler.

Readers interested in following my continuing research and writing are encouraged to sign up for my free e-mail newsletter here.


Thank you to Andrew for this insightful interview. Don’t forget to enter to win by commenting below, and check back here for the winner next week.

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    75 Comments

    1. Elam Stoltzfus

      Living in Zweibrücken

      In your research, did you find if Jakob Ammon or any of his family moved to Zweibruken Germany? Also, did you write about any of this coworkers in ministry? I’ll definitely be reading this book. Thanks.

    2. Romain S.

      Jacob Ammann

      I am always amazed at how little Jacob Ammann is known to many Amish. Here in Alsace, we have no more Amish because the last ones joined the Mennonites around 1907, but almost everyone in Alsace knows and makes the connection Ammann=Amish.
      Moreover, the town of Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines bases its tourism on the Amish, in September there is a patchwork festival, Jacob Ammann has a street named after him, exhibitions about the Amish take place regularly and a buggy has even been offered by an Amish community to this town.
      I see that the date given in this book for Jacob’s death is 1730. It is estimated that he died between 1708 and 1730. He is still on a list of Anabaptists in 1708 and is no longer present at the baptism of his daughter in 1730. It is known that he was buried in Zellwiller about 25 miles from Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines.

      Erik, if you receive my e-mails again, here is another subject I could develop…

    3. Helen Curtis

      Who Was Jakob Ammann

      Sounds interesting.

    4. Shelley Palmer

      The area looks like Vermont

      Wooden structures rarely last 200 years, the time between when Jacob lived and photography was introduced.This photo is probably not his house.

      1. Urs Christen

        Wooden Buildings

        Wooden Buildings last much longer then 200 years, one of the oldest houses in Switzerland dates back a view decades before the Swiss Confederation was founded which was in 1291. I had lived in a over 400 year old house back in the old country. That house in the pic was Jakob Ammann’s birth house sadly it was replaced by a new house but the barn he used is still standing.

    5. Jemima A Schinnerer

      Look forward to reading it

      I look forward to reading this book. I know very little about him. It looks interesting.

    6. Theresa Whitfield

      Awesome title

      Your article was so very interesting And I would love to know how you choose the title

    7. Susan Campbell

      Jacob Ammann

      Thank you so much for such an interesting post. I learned a lot about him that I did not know. I will have to get this book.

    8. Tammie Shaw

      Jacob Ammann

      Very interesting. I would like to read this book. Thank you.

    9. SARAH TAYLOR

      Who Was Jakob Ammann?

      Sounds very interesting would love to read this Thank you for the book giveaway!

    10. J.O.B.

      I’m in. Wish there were more photos of what could be Ammann’s house.

    11. Jenna C McDonald

      Love to know more about Jakob Amman

      Would love to read this book to find out more!

    12. Linda Landreth

      Q&A

      Sounds like a very interest book. Can’t wait to read it!

    13. Maureen Terlizzi

      Jakob Ammann

      It was so informative just reading the questions and answers, put to the author. I am sure his book will be even more informative. I had heard awhile back, that it was thought there was a descendant trace to a specific family in Ohio, that were thought to possibly come from Jakob, but have heard nothing else about it. So grateful for your thorough research.
      Thank you, Maureen Terlizzi

    14. Dava Hudgins

      I love History!

      I love church history, and would love to read this history of the Amish founder!

    15. Joe Donnermeyer

      Awesome photos

      The picture of the church interior where Ammann was born/baptized is amazing. A tour of Amish historical sites would be a great way to see a lot of Europe. It is time to make a list, as travel picks up again.

    16. Mattie King

      Book

      I would love to read the book

    17. KimH

      Great interview and sounds like a great book. I’m looking forward to reading it.
      Thanks!
      KimH

    18. Walter Boomsma

      "The Ammann Mysteries"

      Ironically, I’m currently reading Nolte’s book on the History of the Amish. Since there’s a fair amount of information regarding Jakob in it, I suspect a comparison of both works would make an interesting project. I am a bit intrigued by the relative “disappearance” of Ammann which gives rise to much speculation.

    19. Grounded Upon God's Word

      I would love to win this book. I have read several book about the Amish, learning something new from each one. Sounds like this book has new research information.

    20. Bill Renno

      My grandparents and parents were Amish though my parents left the Amish when I was a child . I grew up and embraced the Mennonite faith for many years.
      My heritage is of great interest to me now .

    21. nice scholarly work!

      I am grateful to read about how the Amish and Mennonites came to be, and look forward to more on this subject.

    22. My father’s parents came from Switzerland
      I want to read and understand more about Jakob.