Sunday Morning at Langnau Mennonite Church

We had been to the Langnau Mennonite Church  in Switzerland before but not knowing the time of the service nor exactly where it was located,  we had arrived just in time for the benediction.   It is the oldest still operating Mennonite Church in Europe.  Members of the church  200-300 years ago  who fled to America left behind family and friends in search of religious freedom in Pennsylvania.   A number of familiar family surnames are still visible on the church bulletin board list.  On of particular interest was the Lehmann (Jean's maiden name) farm/house combo. 

The farmland directly east of the church where we tried to bike until it got too steep.

Today we arrived half an hour early for the 9:30  service.  A very kind gentleman offered to give us a tour through the church.  In 1980 a new sanctuary was built and the older part was remodeled for children and youth and adults.  They have many young families which was a good sign that the church is still alive.  The original part has 4 floors and the lower 3 were remodeled.  The top floor was left untouched.  It appeared they had or still use it for sleeping quarters perhaps for youth activities.  There were old church pews up there as well as piles of mattresses, old wide boards and the original plank floor.  The old original rafters and beams are still showing - if those rafters could talk I’m sure we would learn some things of what happened years ago.  He showed us a trap door in the floor where whoever was up there could make a fast escape.  It was all very interesting.

The Mennonite church is in the background left with a Lehmann farm/house on the right

The Back of the Church with the Lehmann farm/home in the background

The Lehmann Farm/house across the street from the church.

The service was in German so we did not catch any of that.  There was a community brass orchestra who played 5 or 6 times - very professional and very easy music to listen to.  We recognized one tune.



After the service a couple,  Hans and Heidi,  who both spoke English fairly well came to us and began to talk.  We had wanted to re-connect with Marianne a lady who had invited us to their farm last time we were there.  The couple asked around church and not finding Marianne,  offered to phone her and arrange a time to meet.  Turns out she had a family reunion at their farm today but wanted us to come and at least say hello.  So Hans drove his car and we followed to Marianne and Kurt’s farm.  She was very busy of coarse.  Many family members had not seen each other for 20 - 30 years for various reasons.  One of Marianne’s cousins we learned was from Etobicoke - yes in Toronto, Ontario.  We did say a brief hello but agreed to come for coffee on Tuesday in the afternoon.   We will look forward to that.

Jean with Marianne admiring her gardens.

After a quick lunch back “home” here we headed back into town to bike - parked at the church and rode through town to the Emme River and followed it north out of town before turning into the countryside for a leisurely ride.  Very healthy crops and flowers along the way as we rode for an hour and a half or more.  Then we loaded the bikes on the car and decided to drive east from the church up into them there alps and hills. We marvel at how they can make a living on these steep hills.  Most of the steep slopes are pasture land for cows or sheep or horses or for hand made hay.  If there are flat lower slopes, they may plant some corn.  One row corn forage harvesters about the size of my lawnmower allow them to fill small glass silos for the few cows they milk.  A very pleasant drive - we went until the road turned into two single gravel tracks up into the woods then decided to turn around - actually Jean was ready to jump ship if I didn’t turn around.   
 
We ended up at McDonalds where we were able to connect to the internet and send some e-mails and blog.  That will be our life-line for the next few days while here………..Later