Near Marion in Turner County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Our Congregations

1874-1974

Photographed By Roger Dean Meyer, April 28, 2023

1. Our Congregations Marker

Inscription.

Our Congregations. Hithero hath the Lord helped us 1SAM.7:12. We are thankful to God for His loving kindness in giving our low and high German speaking forefathers in Russia and Polish Russia vision, courage and provision in time of deep distress to seek religious freedoms in this area. Therefore we, their posterity, affectionately raise this tribute to His praise and glory. . The following congregations developed from groups worshipping in various homes, school houses and granaries. . All locations are from this point.. 1875-1883 Union Church or Die Grosze Kirche. 1 mile E., ¾ mile S.. 1876-1940 Carl S Waldner Deutsche Alt Mennoniten . Gemeinde 1 mile S.. 1878-1913 Brothersfield Mennonite Brethren . 3/4 mile N., 13 mile E. 1883 Bethsda Mennonite 1 ¼ Mile S, . 2 ½ miles E. 1886 Silver Lake Mennonite Brethren. 2 miles W. 1892 Bethel Mennonite 2 ¾ miles N., 2 miles E.,. ½ mile N.. 1893 Evangelical Mennonite Brethren. 1 mile E.. One hundred feet east of this monument rest the remains of Elder Tobia A. Unruh, one of the twelve deputies who came to America in 1873 to find a home for his people.. For other foundation can no man lay than that . is laid which is Jesus Christ. 1COR 3:11. See other side. Side two The low German people have their origin in Holland. Religiously they trace back to the Ana-Baptist wing of the Reformation. Menno Simons, a converted Catholic priest, was a great religious leader, teaching and preaching everywhere. Our people responded to the teaching of voluntary church brotherhood, adult baptism, discipleship of Christ, non-resistance, and a simple positive Christian life. Since they followed the teachings of Menno Simons, they were called Mennonites. Since this teaching conflicted sharply with the established state churches and the states, they were severely persecuted under the rule of King Charles V of Spain. Many of our people left Holland as early as 1530, the main trek going through Netherlands to the more tolerant Prussia. Our people were welcome, proving their ability to build dykes, canals, drain and reclaim swamplands and were eminent farmers. By 1780, Prussian authorities became more intolerant and our people felt compelled to move again. The bid of Empress Catherine II, through her representative George Von Troppe in 1786, was very appealing with the special privileges. The response came from various countries in central Europe and thousands settled in Russia and Polish Russia. The growing spirit of nationalism and militarism led many to immigrate to America and Dakota Territory in the 1870’s.

Hithero hath the Lord helped us 1SAM.7:12
We are thankful to God for His loving kindness in giving our low and high German speaking forefathers in Russia and Polish Russia vision, courage and provision in time of deep distress to seek religious freedoms in this area. Therefore we, their posterity, affectionately raise this tribute to His praise and glory.
The following congregations developed from groups worshipping in various homes, school houses and granaries.
All locations are from this point.
1875-1883 Union Church or Die Grosze Kirche 1 mile E., ¾ mile S.
1876-1940 Carl S Waldner Deutsche Alt Mennoniten Gemeinde 1 mile S.
1878-1913 Brothersfield Mennonite Brethren 3/4 mile N., 13 mile E
1883 Bethsda Mennonite 1 ¼ Mile S, 2 ½ miles E
1886 Silver Lake Mennonite Brethren 2 miles W
1892 Bethel Mennonite 2 ¾ miles N., 2 miles E., ½ mile N.
1893 Evangelical Mennonite Brethren 1 mile E.
One hundred feet east of this monument rest the remains of Elder Tobia

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A. Unruh, one of the twelve deputies who came to America in 1873 to find a home for his people.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ. 1COR 3:11
See other side Side two
The low German people have their origin in Holland. Religiously they trace back to the Ana-Baptist wing of the Reformation. Menno Simons, a converted Catholic priest, was a great religious leader, teaching and preaching everywhere. Our people responded to the teaching of voluntary church brotherhood, adult baptism, discipleship of Christ, non-resistance, and a simple positive Christian life. Since they followed the teachings of Menno Simons, they were called Mennonites. Since this teaching conflicted sharply with the established state churches and the states, they were severely persecuted under the rule of King Charles V of Spain. Many of our people left Holland as early as 1530, the main trek going through Netherlands to the more tolerant Prussia. Our people were welcome, proving their ability to build dykes, canals, drain and reclaim swamplands and were eminent farmers. By 1780, Prussian authorities became more intolerant and our people felt compelled to move again. The bid of Empress Catherine II, through her representative George Von Troppe in 1786, was very appealing with the special

Our Congregations Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Roger Dean Meyer, May 28, 2023

2. Our Congregations Side Two

privileges. The response came from various countries in central Europe and thousands settled in Russia and Polish Russia. The growing spirit of nationalism and militarism led many to immigrate to America and Dakota Territory in the 1870’s.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Immigration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 43° 26.84′ N, 97° 22.779′ W. Marker is near Marion, South Dakota, in Turner County. Marker is on County Highway 441 Ave, ¼ mile north of County Highway 272 St, on the right when traveling north. Located next to Schartner Mennonite Cemetery Gate. One Mile north and six miles west and 1/4 mile north of Marion. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Marion SD 57043, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mennonite and Hutterian Immigration Memorial (approx. 6.4 miles away); Freeman Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.2 miles away); Bridgewater (approx. 9.4 miles away); Turner County Poor Farm (approx. 11.2 miles away); Canistota Veterans Memorial (approx. 11.2 miles away); Johannesthal Reformed Church (approx. 11.7 miles away); Rumpus Ridge (approx. 13.3 miles away); Dam and Spillway (approx. 14.4 miles away).

Photographed By Roger Dean Meyer, April 28, 2023

3. Our Congregations Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2023, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 24, 2023, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota.