October 6, 1683

Thirteen Dutch speaking families from Crefeld (Germany) arrive in Philadelphia. Most of them were formerly members of the Mennonite Church in Crefeld, but were now referring to themselves as “German Friends”. These are the first Germans to settle in the New World.

October 25, 1683

Francis Daniel Pastorius, promoter of the Germantown Settlement, had lots drawn for the land along the old Indian trail, now Germantown Avenue

1680’s

Mennonites and Quakers of Germantown worshipped together, likely in the home of Tunes Kunders and others.

2nd Month, 18, 1688

The Germantown Protest against slavery was signed in the Kunders’ home. While the four signatories identified themselves as Quakers, three were formerly members of the Mennonite gathering in Crefeld, and one, Abraham up Den Graeff later rejoined the Mennonites.

1690

The Germantown Mennonites chose William Rittenhouse to be their minister, and Jan Neuss their deacon. In this same year, Rittenhouse built a mill for the manufacture of linen based paper, the first such mill in America. He led the efforts to have the Dordrecht Confession translated into English, but died in 1707.

1702

Jacob Gottschalk and Hans Neuss, brother to deacon John, were ordained ministers to assist Rittenhouse who felt unable to supervise communion. Hans Neuss later, after an unknown dispute with Arnold van Vossen, separated from the church and did not re-unite in his lifetime.

1708

The first Mennonite Meetinghouse in America was built on land deeded to the Mennonite Meeting by Arnold van Vossen on the site of the present Meetinghouse.

May 9, 1708

The first baptism service was held in the Meetinghouse with eleven candidates. Two weeks later the first communion service was held.

1712

Gottschalk had the Dordrecht Confession translated into English and printed.

1712

Membership is recorded at 99 members.

1719

The founders of the Church of the Brethren arrive in Germantown.

1725

The first inter-Mennonite conference in America held at Germantown adopted the Dordrecht Confession, declaring that nonresistance is expected of all followers of Christ. “Conestoga” (Lancaster) and “Skippack” (Franconia) delegates attended and affirmed the Confession.

1743

Christopher Sauer publishes the first European language Bible in America- Luther’s German translation (the first Bible published was in Iroquois)

1740s

Colonial schoolmaster Christopher Dock taught summer school for tour years in the Germantown meetinghouse.

1748

Pennsylvania Mennonites have the Martyrs’ Mirror printed at the Ephrata Cloister. The translation from Netherlands Dutch into German had been started in Germantown. At the time of it’s printing, it was the largest single volume book published in America.

1770

A new meetinghouse was built of local stone (Wissahickon schist) for the twenty five members (half the group had moved North to Skippack). The builder was Jacob Knorr, a local master builder whose recent accomplishments included the Germantown Academy, Cliveden, and the Johnson House. This same year Knorr joins the Mennonites and is ordained to the ministry.

1770

The first American book on pedagogy published in Germantown: Christopher Dock’s Hundred Necessary Rules of Conduct for Children.

1790s

The Germantown ministers are “silenced” by Skippack bishops and provided with visiting ministers for the fifty member meeting.

1831

The Germantown Temperance Society formed to dissuade shop keepers from selling liquor.

1847

Germantown becomes part of the newly formed Eastern District Conference (of the General Conference Mennonite Church), but in 1851 leaves it and calls itself the Reformed Mennonite Church of Germantown.

1860s

The Meetinghouse undergoes interior changes; present benches facing the North end are installed with a raised pulpit. American flag is displayed in the Meetinghouse.

1876

Germantown re-affiliates with the Eastern District of the General Conference Mennonite Church

1888

Daniel Kolb Cassel’s History of the Mennonites appears; the first Mennonite history book in America. Cassel is interred at the burying ground of the Mennonite Meetinghouse in Germantown.

1908

An addition is completed on the rear of the Meetinghouse to accommodate a Sunday School program.

1922

The Germantown Mennonite Church legally incorporates.

1953

Ownership of the Meetinghouse is transferred to a newly created “trust”; the Germantown Mennonite Church, Inc. (later called the Corporation) for the purpose of preserving the Meetinghouse and burial grounds for future generations. Interior of the building is “restored to its earlier simplicity”.

1970

The Germantown Mennonite Church Corporation officially reorganized to include delegates from the General Conference Mennonites, (Old) Mennonite Church, Eastern District Conference, Franconia Conference and the local Germantown Mennonite Congregation.

1980

The Johnson House, built by Jacob Knorr in 1768 is transferred from the Women’s Club to the Germantown Mennonite Corporation to operate as a museum. Programs are developed to interpret the site as a station on the Underground Railroad and colonial life.

1987

Germantown Mennonite Church begins renting space from neighboring facilities and later purchases a building on Washington Lane.

2003

During its 50^th anniversary celebration, Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust ceremonially transfers ownership of The Johnson House to its own board.