Inspirationalists
Encyclopedia
The Inspirationalists were a group of Germans, Swiss and Austrians from a number of backgrounds and soci-economic areas who settled in West Seneca, New York
, after purchasing land from an Indian
reservation. They later moved to Amana, Iowa, when they became dissatisfied with the congestion of Erie County
and the growth of Buffalo, New York
.
Known first in Western New York
as the Ebenezer Society, it was a religious group that ultimately traced its roots to Hesse
in Germany
. The movement became popular in the early nineteenth century as one of the many protests against the Lutheran Church. The founders of The Community of True Inspiration are said to be Eberhard Ludwig Gruber and Johann Friedrich Rock. Their religious practices, including avoidance of military service and refusal to take an oath, kept them in conflict with German authorities. Their religion continued to grow until Gruber and Rock's deaths. It was not until a reawakening sparked by Michael Krausert who preached for a revival and had much support.
Their beginning in the United States was in West Seneca and the Town of Elma
. Ultimately, a number of communities, Amana Colonies
, were founded in Iowa
. Official membership was 1,534 in 1925, and achieved more than a thousand even as late as the 1980s.
West Seneca, New York
West Seneca is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 44,711 at the 2010 census. West Seneca is a centrally-located interior town of the county, and a suburb of Buffalo...
, after purchasing land from an Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
reservation. They later moved to Amana, Iowa, when they became dissatisfied with the congestion of Erie County
Erie County, New York
Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 919,040. The county seat is Buffalo. The county's name comes from Lake Erie, which in turn comes from the Erie tribe of American Indians who lived south and east of the lake before 1654.Erie...
and the growth of Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
.
Known first in Western New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
as the Ebenezer Society, it was a religious group that ultimately traced its roots to Hesse
Hesse
Hesse or Hessia is both a cultural region of Germany and the name of an individual German state.* The cultural region of Hesse includes both the State of Hesse and the area known as Rhenish Hesse in the neighbouring Rhineland-Palatinate state...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The movement became popular in the early nineteenth century as one of the many protests against the Lutheran Church. The founders of The Community of True Inspiration are said to be Eberhard Ludwig Gruber and Johann Friedrich Rock. Their religious practices, including avoidance of military service and refusal to take an oath, kept them in conflict with German authorities. Their religion continued to grow until Gruber and Rock's deaths. It was not until a reawakening sparked by Michael Krausert who preached for a revival and had much support.
Their beginning in the United States was in West Seneca and the Town of Elma
Elma, New York
Elma is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 11,304 at the 2000 census. The town is named after a type of tree.The Town of Elma is located in the north-central part of the county, east of Buffalo, New York. Because of its location, Elma likes to refer to itself as the...
. Ultimately, a number of communities, Amana Colonies
Amana Colonies
The Amana Colonies are a group of settlements of radical German Pietists in Iowa, USA, comprising seven villages. Calling themselves the Ebenezer Society or the Community of True Inspiration , they first settled in New York state near Buffalo in what is now the Town of West Seneca...
, were founded in Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. Official membership was 1,534 in 1925, and achieved more than a thousand even as late as the 1980s.
Notable members
- Barbara Heinemann LandmannBarbara Heinemann LandmannBarbara Heinemann Landmann was twice a Werkzeug, or Instrument, for the Community of True Inspiration. A Werkzeug, under the influence of the gift of Inspiration, conveys the word of the Lord to believers. Barbara was first a Werkzeug in Germany and in Alsace...
- Christian MetzChristian Metz (Inspirationalist)Christian Metz was born in Germany and emigrated to America on October 26, 1842. Once in America he helped to create a colony for the Community of True Inspiration, a pietist sect. The first was named Ebenezer near what is now Buffalo New York...
Further reading
- F. Alan DuVal. Christian Metz: German-American Religious Leader & Pioneer. Ed. Peter Hoehnle. Penfield Books, 2005. ISBN 1-932043-33-0
- The Amana Colonies, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary