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

Mennonite Bicentennial 1786-1986

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 13, 2024

1. Mennonite Bicentennial 1786-1986 Marker

Inscription.
This monument was erected on the site of the first Mennonite meetinghouse in Canada to commemorate 200 years of Mennonite settlement in this country.

The monument was designed to unite a number of symbolic elements. Interlocked wheels represent the globe, suggesting Mennonite migration and presence throughout the world and the unity of all creation. The spokes intersect to form a cross in the centre of the wheels. The spokes symbolize diversity, the hub unity. Handcarved roses symbolize growth, renewal of life, and love.

The wheel rests on four plowshares, representing the agricultural traditions of the Mennonites and their commitment to peace. Field stones from across Canada, engraved with places of origin, symbolize Mennonite peoplehood and unity.

The base includes six handcarved wooden tablets bearing symbols of Mennonite history. The fire and sword portray persecution, the dove signifies peace, the Bible represents the story of faith, and the tree of life is an ancient symbol of growth. The square shape of the base symbolizes the four directions, the four seasons, and the union of the human and the divine.

Design

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of the monument, woodcarving and engraving by artist Barbara Fauth, Kitchener.

Wheel construction: Don Buschert, Rural Carriage Supplies Inc., Elmira.
Foundation and base: W. Funk Builders Limited, Vineland.

The Mennonite Bicentennial Commission acknowledges financial assistance from the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture, and Multiculturalism Canada.
July 1, 1986

Erected 1986 by Mennonite Bicentennial Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Immigration • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1786.

Location. 43° 9.254′ N, 79° 24.169′ W. Marker is in Lincoln, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Vineland. It is at the intersection of King Street and Rittenhouse Road, on the right when traveling west on King Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3571 King Street, Lincoln ON L0R 2C0, 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,

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 13, 2024

2. Mennonite Bicentennial 1786-1986 Marker

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 Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mennonite Conscientious Objectors, 1812 - 1814 (a few steps from this marker); Mennonite Burying Ground circa 1798 (within shouting distance of this marker); First Mennonite Settlement / Le Premier Établissement Mennonite (approx. 2.7 kilometers away); Mountain Mennonite Cemetery Circa 1843 (approx. 2.7 kilometers away); Mountain Mennonite Church And Cemetery - Circa 1843 (approx. 2.7 kilometers away); Jordan Mennonite (Haines) Cemetery circa 1840 (approx. 2.7 kilometers away); School House 1859 (approx. 2.7 kilometers away); 1953-2003 In Celebration Of The 50th Anniversary (approx. 2.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lincoln.

Also see . . . The Canadian Encyclopedia - Mennonite’s.

Mennonites first began arriving in Upper Canada
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 13, 2024

3. The 200th Anniversary of Menonnite Settlement Memorial
around 1776. Since Mennonites originated in German-speaking countries, the German language has been one of their defining characteristics. Because of this, many of the Mennonites who came to Canada, especially during the early years of immigration, were perceived as a minority group with ethnic as well as religious characteristics.

(Submitted on April 28, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Moyer’s Meetinghouse, now First Mennonite Church, pre-1897 image. Click for full size.

4. Moyer’s Meetinghouse, now First Mennonite Church, pre-1897

Source: Mennonite Archives of Ontario (public domain)

Mennonite Bicentennial 1786-1986 - Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 7, 2025

5. Mennonite Bicentennial 1786-1986 - Marker in context

Photo faces north-east from King St. The marker is on the reverse side of the stone column (foreground, left of centre) just right of the utility pole.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 215 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on September 10, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 28, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. 5. submitted on September 10, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.