Jordan in Lincoln in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

First Mennonite Settlement
⎯⎯⎯
Le Premier Établissement Mennonite

First Mennonite Settlement Marker - English side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 13, 2024

1. First Mennonite Settlement Marker - English side

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Following the American Revolution, Mennonites living in Pennsylvania began to come to the Niagara Peninsula in search of good farm land. A small group settled on land west of Twenty Mile Creek in 1786. Then, in 1799, Jacob Moyer, Abraham Moyer and Amos Albright scouted land in the vicinity of Vineland and Jordan and secured a 1,100-acre tract. They returned later that year with a number of families. Others joined them the next year. These industrious German-speaking people soon developed a flourishing agricultural community. In 1801 they organized the first Mennonite church congregation in Canada, with Valentine Kratz as minister. Several Mennonite communities in other parts of Ontario were founded by members of this first settlement.

Des mennonites de Pennsylvanie commencent à arriver dans la péninsule de Niagara après la Révolution américaine à la recherche de terres agricoles fertiles. Un petit groupe s'installe à l'ouest de Twenty Mile Creek en 1786. Puis, en 1799, Jacob Moyer, Abraham Moyer et Amos Albright vont visiter des terres aux environs de Vineland et Jordan et retiennent 1 100 acres. Ils y retournent plus tard dans lannée avec quelques familles pour s'y installer D'autres familles arrivent l'année suivante. Ces cultivateurs industrieux de langue allemande développent bientôt une communauté pros-père. En 1801, ils organisent la première assemblée de l'Église mennonite au Canada, avec Valentine Kratz en tant que pasteur. Plusieurs communautés mennonites sont fondées dans d'autres parties de l'Ontario par des membres de ce premier établissement.

Erected by Ontario

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Heritage Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Immigration • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1786.

Location. 43° 8.846′ N, 79° 22.26′ W. Marker is in Lincoln, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Jordan. It can be reached from the intersection of Main Street and Church Lane, on the right when traveling south. The marker is on the grounds of the Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre, approx. 100 metres from the entrance at Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3802 Main St, Lincoln ON L0R 1S0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

First Mennonite Settlement / Le Premier Établissement Mennonite Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 13, 2024

2. First Mennonite Settlement / Le Premier Établissement Mennonite Marker

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jordan Mennonite (Haines) Cemetery circa 1840 (a few steps from this marker); 1953-2003 In Celebration Of The 50th Anniversary (within shouting distance of this marker); School House 1859 (within shouting distance of this marker); Jacob Fry House 1815 (within shouting distance of this marker); Neutral Nation (within shouting distance of this marker); The Farr Cottage (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Jordan Apple Works (about 240 meters away); Vintage House circa 1840 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lincoln.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 13, 2024

3. First Mennonite Settlement / Le Premier Établissement Mennonite Marker

The Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 13, 2024

4. The Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre

Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on September 10, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 25, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

First Mennonite Settlement⎯⎯⎯Le Premier Établissement Mennonite

First Mennonite Settlement
⎯⎯⎯
Le Premier Établissement Mennonite