Events:
SMCHA Annual Meeting
Date: Sunday, March 9, 2025
Time: 2:30 PM
Location: Bethel College Mennonite Church
Dorthy Stucky Halley, co-founder of the Family Peace Initiative, will be our speaker. Dorthy has served victims of family violence for nearly 40 years, and has also worked to improve treatment of those who batter. Come and learn from her expertise in working with domestic violence.
Dorthy’s biographical information is attached, as well as a link to a documentary which includes some of her efforts.
In addition to our speaker, we will be voting new members to the SMCHA board, singing some hymns, and fellowshipping over poppyseed rolls.
About Us
The Swiss Mennonite Cultural and Historical Association (SMCHA) is a nonprofit organization comprising descendants of immigrant Mennonites who came to the USA in the 1870s from what is now the Ukraine. Their ancestors originated in Switzerland passing through many countries in Europe including France, Germany, Austria and Poland on their way to the Ukraine.
Major purposes of the SMCHA are to educate descendants of the Swiss Mennonites on the origin and culture of this group through various cultural events, research activities, maintenance of historic places, etc. There are several thousand of such descendants, many of them located in central Kansas, South Dakota, and other mid-western states.
Learn More
Interested in donating to the Immigrant House Building Fund?
Funds will be put toward the Immigrant House museum project to preserve the Swiss Mennonite culture for future generations.
Latest Update
SMCHA has acquired 3 acres of land west of the Moundridge Museum Complex, where we intend to build an Immigrant House and Cultural Center Museum. This is a huge step toward this project. Donations are welcome!
Genetic Study of the Plain Community
A Genetic Study of Schweitzer and other Mennonites with significant intermarriage in their ancestry (that's most of us) is in process. You are encouraged to participate in this study if you are interested. These studies can help physicians understand and better know how to treat genetic issues found specifically in our population. More information about the study and how to participate (minimal time, no travel), is available here.
There is also further information in Jeremy Schrag's 150th Anniversary Seminar, here.
Heritage Hall Museum & Archives
Lured by the Homestead Act of 1862, and in search of freedom and opportunity, Germans-from-Russia immigrants from Amish, Hutterite, Lutheran, Mennonite and Reformed backgrounds – and others – began arriving in southeastern Dakota Territory starting in the 1870s. They brought with them their religious traditions, strong work ethic and determination. They persevered, not only surviving […]
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