• Home

The Complete Pilgrim - Religious Travel Sites

Howard Kramer's, The Complete Pilgrim, Religious Travel Site

  • AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SITES
  • CHRISTIAN SITES
  • JEWISH SITES
  • CATHOLIC SITES
  • ISLAMIC SITES
  • INDIAN/HINDU SITES
  • HOLIDAY SITES
  • CASTLES
  • BATTLEFIELDS
  • MOUNTAINS
  • NATURE
  • WILDLIFE SITES
  • PHOTO GALLERIES
  • ARCHIVES
  • ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

AMISH HERITAGE SITES OF PENNSYLVANIA

April 11, 2014 By Howard Kramer Leave a Comment

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Amish 1America has had a long tradition of idealistic religious groups attempting to establish Christian utopian communities, a tradition which goes back to the Puritans of 17th century Massachusetts.  Most such communities have ended in obscurity or even disaster, though a few have been successful.  In the end, virtually all of those that survived have generally been absorbed into mainstream American and Christian society, with one major exception.  The Anabaptists, better known as the Amish (and their neighbors the Mennonites and Quakers), have avoided both obscurity and success, stoically maintaining their traditions and cultural independence in the face of overwhelming American culture.  Their efforts have resulted in one of the world’s most successful and envied Christian utopian communities.

History

The history of the Anabaptist movement dates back to the early days of the Protestant Reformation.  Many early Anabaptists adopted a very strict lifestyle based on Biblical teaching, and were often considered fundamentalists by neighboring Lutherans and Calvinists.  The generally non-violent habits of the Anabaptists left their communities vulnerable to both Protestants and Catholics alike during the religious wars of the 17th century.  By the 18th century many Anabaptists decided enough was enough, and taking their cue from the Puritans, shipped out to the New World.  After arriving in America, most of the Anabaptist refugees settled in the hills of Pennsylvania, the state most renowned for its religious tolerance.

Although they came from Germany and were German-speaking, the Annabaptists have been mistakenly referred to as the Pennsylvania Dutch since they first arrived.  Their communities were established primarily in the Lancaster County area, and Lancaster has since been indelibly associated with them.  Very little has changed in Pennsylvania Dutch Country over the last two centuries.  Its lack of history is its history.  Lancaster’s brief moment in the national spotlight took place on September 27, 1777, when it served for one day as the national capital.  The residents of Lancaster have traditionally shied away from technology, personal comforts, politics, wars and anything else that distracts from their simple lifestyles.  This was true even during the American Revolution and American Civil War, despite the fact that both wars saw battles practically on Lancaster’s doorstep.

When most people think of the Pennsylvania Dutch, they generally think of the Amish, which are the most distinctive residents of Lancaster County.  But there are, in fact, several different groups living in the area.  The Amish live the traditional simple lives that the area is famous for, wear traditional garb, ride in horse-drawn carriages and use no modern technology.  The closely related Mennonites have lifestyles ranging from practices similar to the Amish to more-or-less modern day Americans.  The Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers, tends to be more active in the greater society.

Because of the traditions of its religious residents, Lancaster County not only remains a haven for Christian utopian living but is also a time capsule of German-American life in the 18th century.  Visitors and pilgrims from all over come to Pennsylvania Dutch Country not just to gawk and shop, but also to admire what may be one of the finest examples of sincere Christian lifestyles among any denomination anywhere in the world.

Visiting

Pennsylvania Dutch Country is unique in that it does not feature a single site, monument or tomb that distinguishes it as a pilgrimage destination.  Lancaster County is the pilgrimage destination; the rolling hills, forests and farms of the region are the shrine; the simple and devout lifestyle is the venerated artifact.  A pilgrimage visit to the area consists of simply spending a day emerged in this mini-utopia.

The Mennonite Information Center is usually the first stop for most pilgrims to the area.  In addition to visitor information, the information center is also a Christian/Amish education facility.  The center’s chief attraction, if there is one, is the Tabernacle replica located next door.  The Tabernacle is a sixty-year-old, full-sized, faithful reproduction of the Biblical Tabernacle, the tent which housed the Ark of the Covenant during the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land.  The highly-detailed display is true to the Biblical description, from the priestly robes to the Ark replica.

The primary stomping ground of the Pennsylvania Dutch is the hill country east of Lancaster, approximately fifty miles west of Philadelphia.  Because Amish Country is not a specific destination such as a church or cemetery, there is no official visitor information per say, although visiting after dark may be prohibitive due to lack of modern conveniences in some areas (eg-lights).  Web: http://www.padutchcountry.com/ (official website)

Other Sites

Lancaster County is a haven of Pennsylvania Dutch sites of interest.  Aside from the numerous markets which ply the local handicrafts, there are a number of important community locations.  Built in 1719, the Hans Herr House is the oldest Mennonite hall in the country.  At least two Amish Homesteads offer tours, one dating from 1805 and the other from 1744.  East of Harrisburg is the Mennonite Heritage Center in Harleysville.  One of the oldest Mennonite churches still in operation is the Germantown Mennonite Church, located in urban Philadelphia.

Filed Under: Protestant Tagged With: US-Mid Atlantic

Where would you like to go?

Africa (North) Africa (Sub-Sahara) Arabia Armenia/Azerbaijan/Georgia Australia/Pacific Austria/Switzerland Balkans Belgium/Netherlands British Isles Canada Caribbean Central Asia China Czech Republic Egypt France Germany Greece Hungary/Romania/Bulgaria India (NE)/Nepal India (NW) India (South)/Sri Lanka Iran/Iraq Israel Italy/Malta Japan/Korea Latin America Mexico Palestine Poland/Lithuania Russia Scandinavia Southeast Asia Spain/Portugal Syria/Jordan/Lebanon Turkey/Cyprus Ukraine US-California US-Mid Atlantic US-Midwest US-New England US-New York US-Pacific Northwest US-South US-Southwest

About Howard Kramer

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is a culmination of years of his work and passion.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

THE COMPLETE AMERICAN PILGRIM – NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

THE COMPLETE PILGRIM

Welcome to The Complete Pilgrim(TM)! This site, created by Howard Kramer, is a combination travel blog and online guide to the world's greatest sites of religious interest (with some historic and recreational places thrown in for good measure). All written content has been originally researched and produced and is provided free for public research and enjoyment. Thank you for visiting!

Site of the Week

WITTENBERG CASTLE CHURCH

WITTENBERG CASTLE CHURCH

Wittenberg, Germany The … [Read More...]

Friends of TCP Spotlight

5 PLACES TO VISIT IN HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA – MUSLIM TRAVEL ROCKS

5 PLACES TO VISIT IN HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA – MUSLIM TRAVEL ROCKS

by Glory Ali The City of Brotherly Love offers tons to see and do and get this, it’s FREE. That’s right you heard it right it’s FREE. Click here for complete article  

MOVING THE U.S. EMBASSY TO JERUSALEM – FAITH IN FAITHS

MOVING THE U.S. EMBASSY TO JERUSALEM – FAITH IN FAITHS

by Mary Neuhauser President Trump recently announced his intentions to move the United States Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, thereby recognizing Jerusalem as the official capital of Israel. The purpose of this article is to give you a brief overview of what this decision means and why it matters. Click here for […]

Photo of the Week

BASILICA OF ST. DENIS

Last month, I visited one of the most fascinating churches I have ever been to, the almost completely ignored Basilica of St. Denis in the northern suburbs of Paris.  Almost every French monarch is buried here, and almost nobody goes here.  Here are some pics I took:

Basilica of St. Denis

Tomb of Clovis

Tomb of Clovis

Tombs of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

Tombs of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

Tomb of Louis XIV The Sun King

Tomb of Louis XIV The Sun King

Royal Tombs

Royal Tombs

The Crypt

The Crypt

 

 

 

 

Follow us!

Where would you like to go?

Africa (North) Africa (Sub-Sahara) Arabia Armenia/Azerbaijan/Georgia Australia/Pacific Austria/Switzerland Balkans Belgium/Netherlands British Isles Canada Caribbean Central Asia China Czech Republic Egypt France Germany Greece Hungary/Romania/Bulgaria India (NE)/Nepal India (NW) India (South)/Sri Lanka Iran/Iraq Israel Italy/Malta Japan/Korea Latin America Mexico Palestine Poland/Lithuania Russia Scandinavia Southeast Asia Spain/Portugal Syria/Jordan/Lebanon Turkey/Cyprus Ukraine US-California US-Mid Atlantic US-Midwest US-New England US-New York US-Pacific Northwest US-South US-Southwest

Contact Us

Have a comment, a great photo or a religious site you'd like to nominate for the weekly spotlight? We would love to hear from you. Email us at hkramer@thecompletepilgrim.com.

About the Author

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is the culmination of years of his work and passion.

Return to top of page
Copyright © 2023 The Complete Pilgrim, LLC || Marietta, GA 30068 || Legal Disclaimers

Website by: Kristina McInerny, Notes From Kris, Inc.