Visitors are Welcome
We welcome visitors weekly on Wednesday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Appointments at other times are possible. Contact us at https://www.pnmhs.org/about/contact/ letting us know your contact info and the date and time you wish to visit.
2025 Annual Meeting and Program
Date and Location
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Zion Mennonite Church, Hubbard, OR
6124 S. Whiskey Hill Rd., Hubbard, OR 97032
What’s the Problem with Christian Nationalism?
Presenter: Michele Hershberger
Michele will share a Biblical rational for the separation of church and state that informed early Anabaptist thinking. She will then share its relevance for today and the implications for the future.
Schedule
12:00 noon – Luncheon and business meeting
1:30 – Program Session 1 presentation
2:10 – Break
2:25 – Program Session 2 presentation
3:05 Questions & Answers
3:20 – Adjournment (the archives building will be open for visits)
An offering to support the work of the Historical Society will be taken.
The cost for the luncheon is $15 per person. RSVP needed
Michele Hershberger is a Bible Professor and Co-Campus Pastor at Hesston College, Hesston, KS. She has served the college for 24 years in a variety of roles, including chairing the Bible Department for over 20 years. She’s written several books, including Why did Jesus Have to Die and What Difference Does It Make, A Christian View of Hospitality and her newest book, the official catechism for Mennonite Church USA and Canada, Finding Ourselves in God’s Story.
Along with her husband Del, Michele pastored at Zion Mennonite Church in Hubbard OR, and taught Bible at Western Mennonite School in Salem, OR. The mother of three grown children, Michele enjoys hiking, camping, theater and good conversations.
Announcement of the Death of John Gingerich
The Historical Society regrets the passing of long-time volunteer, John Gingerich, who passed away suddenly on January 12th. His volunteer efforts over the last twelve years was invaluable in moving us into the digital age. He will be missed.
On November 12 & 13, Portland Mennonite Church will celebrate 100 years since the first worship service was held at the Portland Mission. They would like to invite us to participate. PMC has also created a brand-new historical timeline that can be found by visiting their website at portlandmennonite.org and clicking on the link for the 100-year celebration.
If you have questions please contact Lin Rush at rushlin2@gmail.com
Thank you,
Lin Rush
Pacific Northwest Mennonite Historical Society
Where history (and your story) matter.
Ivan and Pearl Kropf Heritage Center
6030 South Whiskey Hill Road
Hubbard, OR 97032-9406
phone: 503-266-6447
The purpose of the Pacific Northwest Mennonite Historical Society [PNMHS] is to record and preserve the history of Mennonite and related groups for present and future generations. We serve the congregations and communities of Anabaptist Mennonites in the Pacific Northwest. Our goals are to:
• collect, preserve and organize records, writing, and artifacts of Mennonite groups,
• aid historians and genealogists,
• increase interest in Mennonite history and genealogy.
more about PNMHS here | scroll down for more
Who are Mennonites?
Mennonites are a subset of the Anabaptist movement from the mid 1500s. Mennonites maintain strong unique positions on personal discipleship, “believer” baptism, separation of church and state, peace and justice, and non-involvement in military.
We sense that our mission is always counter-cultural because our allegiance to the Lord Jesus and the kingdom that he proclaims puts us in tension with the culture around us.
Menno Simons of the Netherlands was an early prominent leader and eventually the group became known as “Mennonites” because of his name.
Mennonites in America originally came from Switzerland, Germany, Holland, France, and Russia seeking religious freedom. The first permanent settlement was established at Germantown PA in 1683.
According to Mennonite World Conference, there are over 200 separate Mennonite “organized bodies” around the world, including 36 in the US and Canada.
PNMHS Library
The Pacific Northwest Mennonite Historical Library has a 3000+ volume collection including an extensive genealogy section and books authored by Mennonites. There are also books about Mennonite theology, issues and history. You are invited to visit our library (call for hours) or you may explore the collection by searching our online catalog that is updated regularly. Visit this page to learn more about our online library catalog.
PNMHS Archives
Preserving the past to illuminate the future…
Our more extensive collections have been sorted, organized and described according to Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) with their Finding Aids entered into Archives Space. These Archived Collections are stored in a climate controlled archives room and arranged in these categories: Personal, Congregation, Conference, Institution, and Miscellaneous. Our collection is a subset of the Mennonite Archival Commons Historical Archives located in Goshen, Indiana and Newton, Kansas.
We have numerous smaller, but equally interesting and important collections which you may view at this link.