This article will introduce you to the Mennonites, an interesting people with a history dating back to the 1500’s. They arrived in Essex County in the spring of 1925, proceeded to establish a worship place and eventually built the North Leamington United Mennonite Church.

“Mennonites” are named after an important early leader, Menno Simons, who lived in the early 1500’s. His followers were called “Anabaptists” because they believed in adult baptism. Because of continuing hostility and opposition with existing churches, the Anabaptists were forced to leave their homes. The “Swiss” (South German) Anabaptists moved mainly to North America while the “Dutch” (North Germans) migrated eastward, to the Ukraine. Many Swiss Mennonites made their way to the Waterloo area following the American Revolutionary War in 1776.

The large majority of  Canadian Mennonites have their roots in the Dutch movement and are called “Russian Mennonites”. These Mennonites arrived in Canada through a series of major immigrations from Russia; the earliest in 1873-1884, and the second in 1922-30 to escape the anarchy of the Russian Revolution and the threat of communism. During the 20’s, many immigrants were welcomed by Swiss Mennonites in the Waterloo area; but many also continued on to the prairies. A third wave of immigration occurred in 1946-54 following the Second World War and, more recently, Mennonites continue to move to Essex County from Mexico and other Latin American countries. For an excellent summary of the history of the Mennonite people, please go to www.mhsc.ca and click on: Who are the Mennonites?

The earliest Mennonites began arriving in Essex County from Waterloo in search of employment in the spring of 1925. As word spread of favourable conditions and jobs, they were soon joined by friends and family from Waterloo, other parts of Ontario, and also from the west, where life was difficult in the 30’s. They immediately began worshipping together - first in homes, and later in rented halls until the first church was built on Oak Street East in 1933-34. It was originally named the Essex County United Mennonite Church; and its membership in the early 30’s was 335.

The church grew steadily in number and the little white church was enlarged as needed. In 1953, with 902 members, future expansion of the church building was no longer possible, and a decision was made to build a second church north of town. This location was more central to the Mennonite people, many of whom owned farms in the area. It became known as the North Leamington United Mennonite Church and the two congregations remained united as one church with two places of worship until 1980.

Since its beginning in 1953, the North Church has seen much growth in numbers and also in physical space.  A Sunday School building was added in 1961, a large addition to the front of the building followed in 1983, and renovations continue as necessary. When the North Church was first established, the majority of church members were farmers; that has changed over the years as more Mennonites were able to pursue higher education. We are now a diverse group including teachers, lawyers, nurses, businessmen and women and skilled trades-people.