Bartel, Peter (1812–1879)
Proper Title
Peter Bartel fonds
Dates of Creation
1867, transcribed 1996
Physical Description
1 folder of textual material
Biographical Sketch
Peter Bartel was born on March 3, 1812, at Niedergruppe in West Prussia. He became a very influential Mennonite leader of his time. He became an ordained minister on July 19, 1840 and Elder or Bishop September 7, 1856. He undertook the task of remodelling the church at Montau in 1859 and a rebuilding of the church at Gruppe, both projects faced some opposition. Bartel was one of five delegates who visited King William I and negotiated a new agreement for the Prussian Mennonites allowing them more freedom from the military.
In his congregation he demanded that all members pledge that they would not accept military service; otherwise they would be excommunicated. There was a lot of opposition to this idea, more than there was to the church remodelling and rebuilding issue. Eventually ninety-five people left the church and formed their own congregation in 1871, headquartered in Montau. Peter Bartel died on May 11, 1879.
Custodial History
The custodial history of this item is unclear. It was transcribed by Eleanor Andres in 1996 and sometime later came to the Centre. The translation may have been made from an article in the periodical Mennonitische Blaetter in the late 1800s.
Scope and Content
This collection contains one item. It is a report by Aeltester (Bishop) Peter Bartel about the delegation to the Prussian King in 1867, which he was a part of. The material is typed in the German language.
Notes
- Volume 912.
- Title based on contents of the fonds.
- Described by Conrad Stoesz October 15, 1999.
- Accession nos.
File List
Volume 912
- Beschreibung der persoenlichen Bemuehung der 5 Aeltesten bei den hohen und allerhoechsten Staatsmaennern in Berlin um Wiederheraushelfung aud dem Reichswehrgesetz, worin der Reichstag uns Mennoniten am 9 November 1867 versetzt hat. Berichtet non dem Aeltesten Peter Bartel der Grupper Gemeinde. Transcribed by Eleanore Andres. – 1996.