Noah Hoover Mennonite

Noah Hoover Mennonite is a branch of Stauffer Mennonite in a broad sense. The group differs from other Old Order Mennonites by having settlements outside North America (Belize) and by attracting new members from other groups on a larger scale. They have more restrictions on modern technology than all other Old Order Mennonite groups.

History

The Noah Hoover Mennonites originate from a split from the Titus Hoover group in 1963 in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, over Titus Hoover's doctrine of the one true church.^[1] In the late 1960s, North American, Pennsylvania German-speaking Mennonites settled in Pilgrimage Valley and Upper Barton Creek in Belize, where they were joined by Plautdietsch-speaking "Russian" Mennonites, who had come to Belize from Mexico starting in 1958. Later these Mennonites joined the Noah Hoover group.

In 1987 Noah Hoover Mennonites were located in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, Allen County, Kentucky (near Scottsville) and Upper Barton Creek in Belize, Central America. They had an associated group in Huron County, Ontario. In 1988, they left Snyder County and shifted their center to Scottsville, Kentucky, where they have their largest settlement.

Customs and Belief

Noah Hoover Mennonites believe in the same Mennonite principles as other Old Oder Mennonites. Concerning the use of technology the group is the most conservative of all Mennonite groups as they permit no engine power at all. Their Plain dress looks very similar to the dress of Old Order Amish and since men wear beards, they can easily be taken for Old Order Amish.^[2] They use mostly Standard German for Church and Bible reading, and Pennsylvania German and Plautdietsch (in Belize) in everyday life. English is also used in Church and among some members, but without a general tendency of shifting to English. Stephan Scott writes:^[1]

Settlements, members and population

In 1987 the group had about 150 members and a total population that can be estimated at around 500. Around 1996 the group had approximately 300 members.^[1] In 2012 the group had eight communities (or church districts or settlements), two in Kentucky, two in Missouri (Rich Hill, founded 1993 and Richards), one in Ohio, one in Indiana, and two in Belize.^[3] Additional settlements were in Delano, Tennessee, and in Pine Hill, Belize.

Belize

In 1987 45 members were living in Belize, where their total population stood at 157.^[2] In 2010 their three main Belizean Settlements Upper Barton Creek, Springfield and Pine Hill together had a population of 855.^[4]

Literature

The Book Better Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology by Eric Brende describes the Noah Hoover Mennonite Community near Scottsville without mentioning the name of the group.^[5]

References