Lancaster Amish affiliation

The Lancaster Amish affiliation is the largest affiliation among the Old Order Amish and as such a subgroup of Amish. Its origin and largest settlement is Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. The settlement in Lancaster County, founded in 1760 near Churchtown[1] is the oldest Amish settlement that is still in existence.

A grey top buggy of the Lancaster Amish affiliation.

Practice and belief

edit

Even though the Lancaster affiliation is quite liberal concerning the use of technology compared to other Amish affiliations (see table below), it is an affiliation that practices strenge Meidung (strict shunning).[2] Lancaster affiliation buggies have gray tops.

Affiliation[3] Tractor for fieldwork Roto-tiller Power lawn mower Propane gas Bulk milk tank Mechanical milker Mechanical refrigerator Pickup balers Inside flush toilet Running water bath tub Tractor for belt power Pneumatic tools Chain saw Pressurized lamps Motorized washing machines
Swartzentruber No No No No No No No No No No No Some No No Yes
Nebraska No No No No No No No Some No No No No Some No Yes
Swiss (Adams) No No Some No No No No No Some No No Some Some Some Some
Buchanan/Medford No No No No No No No No No No No Some No Yes Yes
Danner No No No Some No No Some No Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No
Geauga I No No No No No No No Some Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Holmes Old Order No Some Some No No No Some Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Elkhart-LaGrange No Some Some Some Some Some Some Some Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Lancaster No No Some Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Nappanee No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Kalona Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Percentage of use by all Amish 6 20 25 30 35 35 40 50 70 70 70 70 75 90 97

Settlements and districts

edit

Lancaster affiliation had 141 church districts in 1991 and 286 in 2010.[4] In 2011 it was present in eight states in 37 settlements with 291 church districts.[5] It represents about 15 percent of the Old Order Amish population, that is about 45,000 out of about 300,000 in 2015.

References

edit
  1. ^ 6 takeaways from our conversation with Don Kraybill at lancasteronline.com.
  2. ^ Donald B. Kraybill, Karen M. Johnson-Weiner, Steven M. Nolt: The Amish, Baltimore 2013, page 152.
  3. ^ Wesner, Erik (2007-04-19). "Amish Technology Use in Different Groups". Amish America.
  4. ^ Donald B. Kraybill, Karen M. Johnson-Weiner, Steven M. Nolt: The Amish, Baltimore 2013, page 153.
  5. ^ Donald B. Kraybill, Karen M. Johnson-Weiner, Steven M. Nolt: The Amish, Baltimore 2013, page 139.

Literature

edit
  • Donald B. Kraybill, Karen M. Johnson-Weiner and Steven M. Nolt: The Amish, Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2013. ISBN 9781421425665
  • Charles Hurst and David McConnell: An Amish Paradox. Diversity and Change in the World's Largest Amish Community, Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2010 ISBN 9780801893988
  • Steven Nolt and Thomas J. Meyers: Plain Diversity: Amish Cultures and Identities, Baltimore MD 2007. ISBN 9780801886058
  • Donald B. Kraybill: The Riddle of Amish Culture, Baltimore MD 2002. ISBN 9780801867712