Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies

Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies
Name	Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies
Established	2001
Parent	Elizabethtown College
Location	Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, United States
Director	Jeff Bach
Website	https://www.etown.edu/centers/young-center/

Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies is a premier academic research center dedicated to the scholarly examination of Anabaptist and Pietist religious traditions and their cultural expressions. Located at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania, it serves as a vital hub for interdisciplinary scholarship, archival preservation, and public education. The center fosters a deeper understanding of these historic Christian movements, particularly within the context of North America.

History and establishment

The center was founded in 2001 through a generous endowment from the Young family, notable for their ownership of the Hershey Company and longstanding connections to the Church of the Brethren. Its creation at Elizabethtown College was a strategic decision, given the institution's historic affiliation with the Church of the Brethren, a denomination with roots in the Pietist and Anabaptist traditions. The establishment built upon the college's existing strengths in studying Plain church communities, including the Amish, Mennonites, and Brethren. The founding director was Donald B. Kraybill, a leading sociologist renowned for his work on Amish society.

Mission and purpose

The core mission is to advance scholarly research and public knowledge about Anabaptist and Pietist groups, their theology, history, and contemporary life. A key purpose is to serve as a neutral, academic forum for understanding these often-insulated communities, bridging the gap between academia and the public. The center aims to preserve the documentary heritage of these traditions through its extensive archival collections. It also strives to educate students, scholars, and the broader community through courses, conferences, and publications.

Academic programs and research

The center is integral to the academic curriculum of Elizabethtown College, offering an interdisciplinary minor in Anabaptist and Pietist Studies. It supports faculty research and hosts visiting scholars from institutions like the University of Chicago and Goshen College. A signature program is the annual Young Center Fellows Seminar, which brings together international researchers. Investigative foci include Amish business enterprises, Mennonite relief work, Pennsylvania Dutch language, and the global spread of movements like the Bruderhof Communities.

Publications and resources

The Young Center oversees the publication of the peer-reviewed journal Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage and the scholarly book series Studies in Anabaptist and Pietist Studies published by Johns Hopkins University Press. It maintains the Samuel L. Horst Historical Library, a major repository housing collections such as the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society archives and papers related to the Brethren in Christ Church. The center also produces digital resources and guides for studying communities like the Old Order River Brethren and Conservative Mennonite Conference.

Facilities and location

The center is housed in the Young Center building on the campus of Elizabethtown College in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, a region with a high concentration of Anabaptist populations. Its facilities include dedicated archival reading rooms, climate-controlled storage for rare documents, and seminar spaces. The location in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country provides unparalleled access for field research and community engagement with settlements of the Old Order Amish and Beachy Amish Mennonite Fellowship.

Affiliations and impact

The center maintains strong affiliations with scholarly networks including the Mennonite Historical Society and the Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc.. It collaborates frequently with institutions like the Menno Simons Historical Library and the Heritage Historical Library. Its research has significantly impacted public policy discussions concerning religious freedom, education, and healthcare for groups like the Amish. The center's work is regularly cited in media outlets including The New York Times and by organizations such as the American Academy of Religion.

Category:Research institutes in Pennsylvania Category:Anabaptism Category:Elizabethtown College Category:Religious studies organizations