How it all started...
Many of the early settlers in northern Somerset County in Western Pennsylvania were Amish. These Amish families worshipped in homes until 1875 when the Kaufman Amish Meetinghouse was built in Davidsville, where the current Mason Funeral Home is located. Services at the Amish Meetinghouse were discontinued in 1915, and the building was torn down. In 1907 the Amish and Mennonites living in the Davidsville area attended either Stahl or Blough Mennonite Church but decided they wanted a meetinghouse that was more geographically centered to where they lived. So they purchased a 3-acre plot of land from Daniel L. and Cassie Kaufman for a nominal fee of five dollars. The new congregation is called Kaufman because the land was formally a part of the Kaufman farm. A building was soon erected for $4000 and was dedicated in January 1909.
Expanding the vision...
In 2016 the Kaufman Membership voted to remove itself from the Mennonite Church USA Denomination and to become a Partner Church with the EVANA (Evangelical Anabaptist) Network of Churches, which more closely reflect our understanding of what it means to live out our faith in obedience to the Scriptures and in relationship to one another.
Where we are headed...
Today, Kaufman continues to seek to be faithful to God’s call. Our current vision and strategy of:
- Cultivating Compassionate Hearts
- Cultivating a Discipling Community
- Supporting Fruitful Engagement in Ministry & Mission by All Members
