Plain People, Steep Ground: Mennonites in Appalachia
An installment in our Appalachian History and Culture series
You might not recognize the Mennonite family that lives a few blocks over. The clothes are modest, sure, but not old-fashioned. The car’s parked in the driveway. The kids play outside after supper. Like other Mennonites in Appalachia, their lifestyle isn’t what sets them apart. Lifestyle is simply a reflection of their convictions.
They’ve been part of this region for generations now. Some came down from Pennsylvania through the Shenandoah Valley. Others were born here. They’ve built churches, opened businesses, raised families, taught school, repaired engines, stitched dresses, and helped neighbors after house fires. They don’t ask to be noticed. But if you pay attention, really pay attention, you’ll catch it: A different way of moving through the world. Not louder. Not flashier. Just steadier.
Not Separate, Just Steady
When most folks hear “Mennonite,” they picture the Amish. Buggies, no buttons, no phones. But that’s a different tradition, and lumping them together overlooks important differences.
Mennonite life varies from family to family. Some wear plain clothes and avoid TV. Others dress like their neighbors and work in the IT field. Some attend church in homes or small buildings. Others meet in modern sanctuaries with padded pews and projectors. Some avoid social media. Some use it for their business. It’s not about legalism, it’s about intention.
The common thread isn’t the rules, it’s the posture: A desire to live humbly, stay grounded, and follow Christ’s teachings in daily life. For many Mennonites in Appalachia, this means holding onto practices that the rest of the world seems to have discarded: community, restraint, responsibility, and peace.
Sidebar: Are They Amish?
No, they’re not. But it’s a common mistake.
Mennonites and Amish share historical roots, both tracing back to the Anabaptist movement in 16th-century Europe. They believe in adult baptism, community accountability, and nonviolence. But they parted ways long ago.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Clothing: Some Mennonites in Appalachia wear plain clothes; others dress conventionally. Amish dress is uniform and strictly regulated.
- Transportation: Most Mennonites drive cars. Amish do not.
- Technology: Mennonites range widely; some limit their use of phones and media, while others run web-based businesses. Amish generally avoid electricity and motorized tools.
- Worship: Mennonites often meet in churches. Amish typically meet in homes.
- Engagement: Mennonites often vote, attend public school, and interact freely with broader society. Amish tend to remain separate.
If you’re not sure, just ask. They’ll probably answer politely and then get back to what they were doing.
Work That Speaks for Itself
You’ll find Mennonites in a variety of vocations around here. They teach school. They run sawmills. They do electrical work, construction, small engine repair, landscaping, and furniture-making. Some farm, but that’s the exception now, not the rule.
They’re not flashy about it, but their work tends to be solid. Reliable. Part of that comes from how they were raised: Finish what you start. Don’t cut corners.
If someone’s house floods or a storm rips through the county, chances are good that a Mennonite group will quietly show up with tools, work gloves, and a truckload of lumber. They won’t make a fuss. They’ll just get to work.
Not Immune to Change
No group holds still forever. That’s true here too. Some young people stay. Some don’t. Some marry within the church. Some move on. There are conversations about technology, education, music, and clothing. Sometimes there’s tension. But there’s also grace.
The goal isn’t to freeze time. The goal is to live faithfully in this time, even when it’s complicated.
I’ve spoken with younger Mennonites in Appalachia who attended public school, then went on to college, and later returned home to start a business. They still show up for worship. Still lend a hand when someone’s in trouble. Still try to live out what they believe, without turning it into a performance.
The Harder Path, On Purpose
Appalachia isn’t easy ground. The land is steep. The roads are winding. The economy has been through more than a few downturns. But maybe that’s why Mennonites fit here. They don’t expect ease. They know what it means to work hard, to live within limits, to stay put when things get tough.
That doesn’t mean they’re perfect. It just means they’ve chosen a way of life that resists the pressure to keep up with everything. And that quiet resistance, steady, unshaken, is part of what gives this region its backbone. They don’t make a lot of noise. But they make a mark. And maybe that’s what matters more.
Not louder. Not grander. Just deeper.
More Appalachian History & Culture
Find more stories from the region’s past on the History and Culture page.
Appalachian History and Culture Collection
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