History
Hershey Mennonite Church sits on a hill overlooking the Pequea Creek. It is surrounded by farmland. Just to its west is a small Amish school.
Mennonites from Europe settled in the area during the last half of the 18th century. The congregation shared the schoolhouse next door until a meeting house was built in 1837. The present red brick building dates from 1879, with additions dating from 1947 and 1979.
When most of the members were farmers, ministers were chosen from the congregation and kept their full time employment. Most of the leaders were descendants from the early settlers. A major change for the church was the calling of Toshi Imchen, a native of India, as a full time pastor in 2002.
Who We Are
Although Hershey Mennonite used to be a congregation of farmers, most of those attending now are involved in business, in trade, or in a profession.
The church has a global outlook and supports the work of Eastern Mennonite Missions and Mennonite Central Committee. The youth group regularly plans a summer service project, often working with Mennonite Disaster Service.
The congregation is small with an average attendance last year of 80.
However, all ages are represented in the group, and there is a friendly, respectful attitude toward each other.
Several persons help to lead the singing in the morning worship service, which includes a balance of hymns and contemporary music. A children’s time is included each Sunday.
Evening services are scheduled for special times, such as Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve, Maundy Thursday, and other occasions. A fellowship meal is held one Wednesday evening each month.
Who are the Mennonites? |
