Vineland in Lincoln in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Mennonite Conscientious Objectors, 1812 - 1814
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 13, 2024
1. Mennonite Conscientious Objectors, 1812 - 1814 Marker
During the War of 1812 the Mennonite congregation meeting on this site included members who followed their conscience and refused to serve in the military. Other Mennonite settlements in Niagara, Rainham, Markham and Waterloo faced the same issue at that time. As members of a historic peace church, Mennonites believe that Jesus taught and lived love of enemies, and that following his example does not allow taking up arms. In 1793 the government of Upper Canada had recognized the right of Mennonites, Quakers and Brethren in Christ to be Conscientious Objectors to war; the War of 1812 was the first testing ground of this right.
The Prince of Peace is Jesus Christ .
True Christians do not know vengeance.
They are the children of peace.
Their hearts overflow with peace.
Their mouths speak peace,
and they walk in the way of peace.
Menno Simons, Reply to False Accusations, 1552
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Peace • Religion & Religious Structures • War of 1812. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.
Location. 43° 9.259′ N, 79° 24.171′ W. Marker is in Lincoln,
this page online
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, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mennonite Bicentennial 1786-1986 (a few steps from this marker); Mennonite Burying Ground circa 1798 (a few steps from this marker); First Mennonite Settlement / Le Premier Ιtablissement Mennonite (approx. 2.7 kilometers away); Mountain Mennonite Cemetery Circa 1843 (approx. 2.7 kilometers away);
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 13, 2024
2. Mennonite Conscientious Objectors, 1812 - 1814 Marker
Also see . . . Canadian Mennonite - Landscapes of war, a people of peace.
Among these pilgrim pioneer war-resisters we might include the historic peace churches (Quakers, Brethren in Christ and Mennonites) plus many Methodists, Moravian Brethren and a small group called the Beverly Reformed Christians, among others. Many more residents of Upper Canada and the United States were still battle-weary from the American Revolution. Most of them in the Niagara District were recently arrived economic migrants from the U.S. Their allegiance to the Crown was nominal at best. These pioneers wanted peace and economic growth. They did not want to fall prey to the War Hawks and imperial powers.(Submitted on April 28, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 13, 2024
3. The First Mennonite Church, Vineland
The 200th Anniversary of Mennonite Settlement Memorial is in the foreground
Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 349 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on September 10, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 28, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
