Church Building on Buch Avenue

Neffsville Mennonite Church after 1964 Addition

Neffsville Mennonite Church as it appears today

A Brief History of Neffsville Mennonite Church

Neffsville Mennonite Church grew out of the revival spirit of the Brunk Revival Campaign which swept the Lancaster Conference Mennonite churches in the summer of 1951.  The revivals emphasized inner spiritual renewal which contrasted with the outward rules and regulations of Lancaster Conference, and some therefore perceived these rules as legalism.  The theology of Scofield dispensationalism, derived from Moody Bible Institute classes, radio, and Bible Conferences, also played a key role in shaping this anti-legalism thinking.

Prayer meetings at East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church in Lancaster eventually led in 1952 to the formation of a new Mennonite Church apart from the Conference.  Early leaders of the group of about eighty charter members included Ross Goldfus, John Rudy, and Ammon Kauffman.  Maurice Landis became the first pastor of the group which united with the less-strict Ohio and Eastern Conference (now Atlantic Coast Conference). 

The new church grew rapidly, largely through the influx of other Lancaster Conference members dissatisfied with the Conference rules on dress and television.  In 1955 the growing church built the present structure on the Lititz Pike, with later additions in 1965 and 1990. Membership currently stands at about six hundred.  Migration from Lancaster Conference largely ended by the 1970' s as the Conference rules and regulations abated, and today, more growth comes from the community.

John R. Martin became the first full-time pastor in 1961, followed by Clyde Fulmer in the 1970's and Edwin Bontrager in the 1980's.  Linford King served a long pastorate  from 1987 to 2002 and currently Harry Jarrett functions as lead pastor.  The church has added in the past twenty years additional staff in youth work, music, and education with the total staff now numbering a full-time equivalency of five.

In 2002 Neffsville Mennonite Church celebrated its 50th anniversary.  As part of that celebration it published a 250-page narrative history of the congregation, Pathways to Renewal, written by Roy S. Burkholder.