About Us>Heritage

Eighth Street Mennonite Church is a member of the Central District Conference of Mennonite Church USA. The largest Mennonite group in North America, Mennonite Church USA includes 21 conferences, almost 1000 congregations, and 110,000 baptized members. (see www.mennoniteusa.org)

The Mennonite church has been in existence for more than 475 years, beginning during the Protestant Reformation of 16th century Europe. Anabaptists, the forerunners of Mennonites, believed the reforms had not gone far enough. In 1525, several members set themselves apart from the official church by publicly declaring their faith in Jesus Christ and re-baptizing each other. In the five centuries that followed, persecution spread the Mennonites throughout Europe and North America. Mennonites derive their name from Menno Simons, an Anabaptist leader in the Netherlands, who traveled about preaching and writing tracts to defend their faith and way of life.

Mennonites still practice believers baptism upon declaration of faith. We are also known for a stress on following Jesus in everyday life, a peace witness based on Christ's nonviolent example, interest in social issues, voluntary service to others, mission outreach, and strong commitment to community. In worship styles, dress, language, ethnicity, and many other matters, Mennonites are very diverse. However, we consider ourselves part of the same family of faith, and part of the broader Christian family.

As a result of mission efforts and immigration, more Mennonites now live in developing countries than in Western nations. Worldwide, there are over a million Mennonites in sixty countries around the world. Eighth Street Church and its members have had special ties to Mennonite congregations around the world, and many of our members have voluntary service or mission experience.

On February 28, 1913, a group of twenty persons, mostly members of the Silver Street Church, meeting in the home of their pastor, the Reverend A.K. Ropp, decided it was time to organize a new city church. Leading factors entering into this important decision were the inconveniences of transportation to the country church and awareness of the large unchurched areas within the city. All things considered, sentiment favored the move; and a church chairman elected from their number was authorized to appoint a committee to arrange temporary facilities for worship. A two-story frame dwelling, at 616 South Fifth Street, was soon purchased at a cost of $2,900, renovated and suitably furnished. The first floor was adapted as a sanctuary with seating capacity for one hundred persons, its second floor as Sunday School classrooms. Here, the congregation known as Fifth Street Mennonite Church first met for worship on April 20, 1913, with a charter membership of fifteen.

Early in 1919 the present church site was acquired at a cost of $2,500; the Fifth Street Church home was sold for the identical sum, and work began on the Eighth Street Church in May 1919. World War I greatly complicated building procedures and increased the final cost to more than twice the sum anticipated, leaving a small congregation heavily in debt. At the time of the dedication on May 2, 1920, ninety-three names were on the church roll.

In the 1920’s, however, the membership grew rapidly, reaching 251 in 1928. Much of this increase was the result of turmoil at the College Mennonite Church. The new members provided much in leadership and resources for the Eighth Street congregation. The next years saw steady increases both in membership and in program. Various women’s groups were formed to meet the needs both at home and abroad. The Friendly Society was formed to provide aid at the time of a death. In 1945 the Eighth Street Messenger was started as a means of communication with the expanding membership. A new organ was installed in 1947, and the congregation was heavily involved in the development of Camp Friedenswald in the early 1950’s.

By the 1950’s, with a membership of over 300, it became clear that expanded facilities were needed and so two major projects were undertaken. The first in 1954 involved mostly work in the sanctuary. Then after much planning and fund raising, construction on the education wing of the church began on June 26, 1956. This large addition, at a cost of $200,000 provided a large foyer, offices, fellowship hall and many large Sunday School rooms. The cornerstone, containing a box to be opened in the year 2056, was laid on September 23, 1956. The increased space allowed for expansion of program, and membership continued to increase to a high of about 375 in the 1960’s.

From the 1960’s until the late 1980’s membership declined but that did not mean the church was not active. During the 1960’s members from Eighth Street were instrumental in the starting the ministries of Greencroft Retirement Communities and Oaklawn a mental health facility. The first chair of both board of directors were from Eighth Street. The Eighth Street Preschool was started in 1973 with purpose of offering a quality pre-school program for three and four year olds. The preschool continues today with serving approximately 90 students, some with disabilities sent by The Elkhart County Educational Cooperative.

A resurgence in membership and attendance that started in the early 1990’s continues today with membership around 250 and worship attendance at approximately 200. Eighth Street remains active in and supportive of the Mennonite Church USA. In 2003 approximately forty adults were employed by church agencies, institutions and ministries. Fifteen members of the congregation are licensed or ordained in the Mennonite Church USA.

Eighth Street is a participating congregation in the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) and has supported Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) through financial support and the sending of a delegate to Iraq in 2004 with CPT.

Last Updated: 1-07-2007