Ephrata Cloister
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Photograph of Ephrata Cloister buildings in December 2006
Location:	Ephrata, Pennsylvania
Area:	28 acres
Built/Founded:	1732
Architect:	Unknown
Architectural style(s):	No Style Listed
Governing body:	Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Added to NRHP:	December 24, 1967
Designated NHL:	December 24, 1967[2]
NRHP Reference#:	67000026[1]

Part of a series of articles on Schwarzenau Brethren (the German Baptists or Dunkers)
Background
Christianity · Protestantism · Anabaptism · Pietism · Radical Reformation For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... A typical plaque showing entry on the National Register of Historic Places. ... This article or section needs additional references or sources to improve its verifiability. ... Ephrata is a borough in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 38 miles (61 km) south east of Harrisburg and about 57 miles (91 km) west by north of Philadelphia. ... The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) owns, operates and maintains numerous historical and cultural sites located throughout Pennsylvania. ... A typical plaque showing entry on the National Register of Historic Places. ... This article or section needs additional references or sources to improve its verifiability. ... The Schwarzenau (German Baptist) Brethren, originated in Germany, the outcome of one of many Pietistic movements of the 17th century. ... Topics in Christianity Preaching Prayer Ecumenism Relation to other religions Movements Music Liturgy Calendar Symbols Art Criticism Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is a monotheistic[1] religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament. ... Topics in Christianity Preaching Prayer Ecumenism Relation to other religions Movements Music Liturgy Calendar Symbols Art Criticism Christianity Portal This box:      Protestantism encompasses the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated with the doctrines of the Reformation. ... Anabaptists (re-baptizers, from Greek ana and baptizo; in German: Wiedertäufer) are Christians of the so-called radical wing of the Protestant Reformation. ... The Radical Reformation was a 16th century response to both the perceived corruption in the Roman Catholic Church and the expanding Protestant movement led by Martin Luther. ...
Doctrinal Tenets
Non-Creedalism · Triune Baptism · love feast · feet washing · Holy kiss · Anointing for healing · Non-Resistance and pacifism · The Brethren Card Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      The Church of the Brethren is... This article is about the Christian religious act of Baptism. ... The Agape feast was the Eucharistic celebration of the early Christians. ... Feet washing is a religious rite observed as an ordinance by several Christian denominations. ... Anointing with oil is a practice of some Protestant bodies for members who are ill. ... The concept of Non-resistance is based on a reading of the first half of Matthew 5:39, part of the Sermon on the Mount, which says, But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. ... Peace churches are Christian churches, groups or communities advocating pacifism. ... The Schwarzenau (German Baptist) Brethren, originated in Germany, the outcome of one of many Pietistic movements of the 17th century. ...
Persons
Alexander Mack · Louis Bauman · Conrad Beissel · Donald F. Durnbaugh · Christoph Sauer · John C. Whitcomb (1679-1735) The son of a German miller, born in the town of Schriesheim, Germany, in 1679. ... Johann Conrad Beissel (April, 1690 - July 6, 1768) was the German-born religious leader who in 1732 founded the Ephrata Community in Pennsylvania. ... Donald F. Durnbaugh (1927 - 2005) was a noted historian of the Church of the Brethren who published more than 200 books, articles, reviews, and essays on its history. ... John C. Whitcomb Dr John Clement Whitcomb, Jr. ...
Groups
Brethren (Ashland) Church · Brethren Reformed Church · Church of the Brethren · Conservative Grace Brethren · Dunkard Brethren · Grace Brethren · Old German Baptist Brethren · Old Order German Baptist Brethren Extinct groups: Ephrata Cloister · Church of God (New Dunkers) The Brethren Church is one of several groups that traces its origins back to the Schwarzenau Brethren of Germany. ... // The Brethren Reformed Church was formed in May 2007 near Dayton, Ohio. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      The Church of the Brethren is... Conservative Grace Brethren Churches, International (CGBCI) - a recent conservative division from the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. ... The Dunkard Brethren are a small group of conservative Schwarzenau Brethren churches that withdrew from the Church of the Brethren. ... The Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches is a theologically conservative fellowship of Brethren churches descended from the Schwarzenau Brethren movement of Alexander Mack of Germany. ... Old German Baptist Brethren (OGBB) descend from a pietist movement in Schwarzenau, Germany, in 1708, when Alexander Mack founded a fellowship with 7 other believers. ... The Old Order German Baptist Brethren are a small group of Brethren that split from the Old German Baptist Brethren (OGBB) in 1921. ... The Church of God (New Dunkers) is a now extinct body that divided from the Schwarzenau Brethren (also called German Baptist Brethren) in 1848. ...
Related Movements
Mennonites · Amish · Community of True Inspiration · River Brethren · Religious Society of Friends · Christian Peacemaker Teams The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations based on the teachings and tradition of Menno Simons. ... This article is about Old Order Amish, but also refers to other Amish sects. ... The River Brethren is a name used to indicate certain Christian groups originating in 1770, during a revival movement among German colonizers in Pennsylvania. ... Quaker redirects here. ... Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) is an international organization set up to support teams of peace workers in conflict areas around the world. ... This box: view • talk • edit

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. The grounds of the community are now owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and are administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. In many parts of the world, communalism is a modern term that describes a broad range of social movements and social theories which are in some way centered upon the community. ... Johann Conrad Beissel (April, 1690 - July 6, 1768) was the German-born religious leader who in 1732 founded the Ephrata Community in Pennsylvania. ... Ephrata is a borough in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 38 miles (61 km) south east of Harrisburg and about 57 miles (91 km) west by north of Philadelphia. ... Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, known as the Garden Spot of America since the 18th century, is located in the southeastern part of the state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. ... State nickname: The Keystone State Other U.S. States Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Governor Ed Rendell Official languages None Area 119,283 km² (33rd)  - Land 116,074 km²  - Water 3,208 km² (2. ... The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) owns, operates and maintains numerous historical and cultural sites located throughout Pennsylvania. ...

Marie Kachel Bucher, the last surviving resident of the Ephrata Cloister, died on July 27, 2008, at the age of 98.^[3]

History

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 true Sabbath. Pietism was a movement within Lutheranism, lasting from the late-17th century to the mid-18th century. ... The Schwarzenau (German Baptist) Brethren, originated in Germany, the outcome of one of many Pietistic movements of the 17th century. ... (1679-1735) The son of a German miller, born in the town of Schriesheim, Germany, in 1679. ... Schwarzenau may refer to: Austria Schwarzenau (Lower Austria), a municipality in the Zwettl district in Lower Austria; Schwarzenau (Tirol), a village in the municipality of Achenkirch in the Schwaz district in Tirol; Germany Schwarzenau (Bad Berleburg), a borough of Bad Berleburg in North Rhine-Westphalia; Schwarzenau (Schwarzach am Main), a... The word schism (IPA: or ), from the Greek σχίσμα, skhísma (from σχίζω, skhízō, to tear, to split), means a division or a split, usually in an organization or a movement. ... The Schwarzenau (German Baptist) Brethren, originated in Germany, the outcome of one of many Pietistic movements of the 17th century. ...

In 1732, Beissel arrived at the banks of the Cocalico creek, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Around this charismatic leader a semi-monastic community (the Camp of the Solitary) with a convent (the Sister House) and a monastery (the Brother House) was established called Ephrata. The members of the order 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, and from 2 A.M. until 5 A.M., with a two-hour break to "watch" for the coming of Christ. They ate one small vegetarian meal a day. The only time the followers of Beissel were permitted to eat meat was during the celebration of communion when lamb was served. The members of the cloister spent much time at work or praying privately. Services every Saturday were led by Beissel, often being several hours long. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, known as the Garden Spot of America since the 18th century, is located in the southeastern part of the state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. ... This article concerns the buildings occupied by monastics. ... Celibacy refers either to being unmarried or to sexual abstinence. ... For other uses, see Bible (disambiguation). ... Discipline is any training intended to produce a specific character or pattern of behaviour, especially training that produces moral or mental development in a particular direction. ... Icon of Christ in a Greek Orthodox church This page is about the title, office or what is known in Christian theology as the Divine Person. ... A selection of produce typical of a vegetarian diet. ... For other uses, see Eucharist (disambiguation). ... An unweaned lamb Legs of lamb in a supermarket cabinet The terms lamb, hoggett or mutton are culinary names for the meat of a domestic sheep. ...

During the time that this group formed, there was a hint of dissatisfied intellectualism of churches. Many wanted to be away from state established churches. Strict religious lives caused these brothers and sisters to come together to worship God in other ways. Instead of practicing their religion, they applied it by helping others to become more spiritual and celibate.

Among the sisterhood and brotherhood there included a married order of householders, which were families who supported and engaged in the everyday activities. Other than practicing quiet lives by praying and doing charity work ^[4], the Cloisters had a duty and that duty was to keep up with the tasks of living at Ephrata. Farming and industrial work were the typically workload on a daily basis. Although the Cloisters often practiced their religion by interpreting Biblical works, they also engaged in carpentry and papermaking. Other tasks included gardening, preparing meals, and mending. ^[5] Not only were the cloisters famous for their writings and hymns on the printing press but they became very busy people especially when it came to chores. They manufactured clothing on a mill and kept their lives busy by creating duties and obligations. A carpenter is a skilled craftsman who performs carpentry -- a wide range of woodworking that includes constructing buildings, furniture, and other large objects out of wood. ... A baby wearing many items of winter clothing: headband, cap, fur-lined coat, shawl and sweater. ...

The Cloisters had a positive outlook in life; they respected their neighbors, land and environment. Education was also important in their society. It was important that every child maintain their education. Children that came from families were also encouraged to be educated in the German school. Educating the young was one of the charity works that the Cloisters accomplished. They also helped the poor by passing around bread to the poor families.

Other believing families settled near the community, accepted Beissel as their spiritual leader and worshipped with them on Sabbath. These families made an integral part to the cloister, which could not be self-sustaining without them. 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. For other uses, see Hymn (disambiguation). ...

The Ephrata Cloister had the second German printing press in the American colonies and also published the largest book in Colonial America. The book, Martyrs Mirror, is a history of the deaths of Christian martyrs from the time of Christ until 1660. Before the publication began at the request of a group of Mennonites from Montgomery County, it had to be translated from the original Holland Dutch into German, which was completed by Peter Miller of the Ephrata Community. Work began in 1748 and was finished about three years later. Many of the books were purchased by the Montgomery County Mennonites who had initiated the process. The Martyrs Mirror or The Bloody Theater, first published in 1660 in Dutch by Thieleman J. van Braght, documented the stories and testimonies of Christian martyrs, especially Anabaptists. ... Icon of St. ... The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations based on the teachings and tradition of Menno Simons. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Dutch is a West Germanic, Low German language spoken worldwide by around 21 million people. ... German (called Deutsch in German; in German the term germanisch is equivalent to English Germanic), is a member of the western group of Germanic languages and is one of the worlds major languages. ... Peter Miller (born April 6, 1969) is an Australian rules footballer who played for the Fremantle Dockers in 1995. ...

The charismatic Beissel died in 1768, and this contributed to a declining membership. The monastic aspect was gradually abandoned, with the last celibate member dying in 1813. In 1814 the Society was incorporated as the German Seventh Day Baptist Church (or The German Religious Society of Seventh Day Baptists). Branches were established in other locations, some still surviving in 2009. In 1941, a 28-acre (100,000 m²) Ephrata tract of land with remaining buildings was conveyed to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for use as a state historical site.

At its height, the Ephrata community grew to 250 acres (1 km²) inhabited by about 80 celibate men and women. The married congregation numbered approximately 200.

It is most important to understand that this communal society was primarily famous for its goal on achieving a harmonious life without interference of bad influences of the outside world. The Ephrata cloister community did eventually come to a collapse due to weak commitment and involvement of its members after the death of Beissel. This historical site has now become a place where visitors can come and experience the past and get a glimpse of the works published, but it is important to understand that this community was once a place of singing, industry and communion. These people were filled with spiritual allegiance and trusted God to guide them and love them.

Gallery

Buildings at Ephrata cloister

Tombs with inscription in German

Living quarters

Praying room

References

• Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission - Ephrata Cloister
• Ephrata Cloister - information on the community at Church of the Brethren Network
• German Seventh-Day Baptists - congregations tracing their origins to Ephrata

External links

• Ephrata Cloister official site

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