The Ephrata Cloister or Ephrata Community was a religious community established in 1732 by Johann Conrad Beissel at Ephrata, in what is now Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Events February 23 - First performance of Handels Orlando, in London June 9 - James Oglethorpe is granted a royal charter for the colony of Georgia. ... Johann Conrad Beissel (1690/91 - July 6, 1768) was the German-born religious leader who in 1732 founded the Ephrata Community in Pennsylvania. ... Ephrata is a borough located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 38 miles (61 km) east by south of Harrisburg. ... Lancaster County is a county located in the south-central portion of the state of Pennsylvania in the Susquehanna Valley. ...

The community was descended from the pietistic Schwarzenau Brethren movement of Alexander Mack of Schwarzenau in Germany. The first schism from the general body occurred in 1728 - the Seventh Day Dunkers, whose distinctive principle was that the seventh day was the true Sabbath. The Schwarzenau (German Baptist) Brethren, originated in Germany, the outcome of one of many Pietistic movements of the 17th century. ... The word schism (IPA: or ), from the Greek σχισμα, schisma (from σχιζω, schizo, to split), means a division or a split, usually in an organization. ... Events Astronomical aberration discovered by the astronomer James Bradley Swedish academy of sciences founded at Uppsala The founding of the University of Havana (Universidad de la Habana), Cubas most well-established university. ... This article concerns the Sabbath in Christianity. ...

In 1732, a semi-monastic community (the Camp of the Solitary) with a convent (the Sister House) and a monastery (the Brother House) was established at Ephrata, in what is now Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The orders were celibate. In addition to celibacy, the members believed in strict interpretation of the Bible, and self-discipline. Members were required to sleep on wooden benches 15 inches wide, with wooden blocks for pillows. They slept six hours per night, from 9 P.M. to midnight, taking a break for two hours to "watch" for the coming of Christ, then sleeping from 2 A.M. until 5 A.M. They ate one small meal a day, and spent much time at work or praying privately. Services every Sunday were led by Beissel, often being several hours long. Events February 23 - First performance of Handels Orlando, in London June 9 - James Oglethorpe is granted a royal charter for the colony of Georgia. ... Ephrata is a borough located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 38 miles (61 km) east by south of Harrisburg. ... Lancaster County is a county located in the south-central portion of the state of Pennsylvania in the Susquehanna Valley. ...

Other believing families settled near the community, accepted Beissel as their spiritual leader and worshipped with them on the Sabbath. These families made an integral part to the cloister, which was could not be self-sustaining. The brothers and sisters of Ephrata are famous for their writing and publishing of hymns, and the composition of tunes in four voices. Beissel served as the community's composer as well as spiritual leader, and devised his own system of composition. The Ephrata hymnal (words only) was printed in 1747. A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a god or other religiously significant figure. ... // Events January 31 - The first venereal diseases clinic opens at London Dock Hospital April 9 - The Scottish Jacobite Lord Lovat was beheaded by axe on Tower Hill, London, for high treason; he was the last man to be executed in this way in Britain May 14 - First battle of Cape...

The charismatic figure Beissel died in 1768 and this contributed to a declining membership. The monastic feature was gradually abandoned, with the last celibate member dying in 1812 or 1813. In 1814 the Society was incorporated as the Seventh Day German Baptist Church (or The German Religious Society of Seventh Day Baptists). This church continued until 1934. Seven years later, a 28 acre (100,000 m²) tract of land with remaining buildings was conveyed to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for use as a state historical site. 1768 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1812 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1813 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1814 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ...

The Ephrata Community can be toured today. It is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Recorded versions of the community's music is played for interested visitors. At its height, the community grew to 250 acres (1 km²) inhabited by about 80 celibate men and women.

External links

• Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission - Ephrata Cloister
• Ephrata Cloister - information on the community at Church of the Brethren Network