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Pietist Collection

The Pietist movement, with its roots in Germany, found a home in various parts of the United States, including Pennsylvania and Illinois

Background imagePietist Collection: USA, Pennsylvania, Ephrata, Ephrata Cloister, buildings of the 1732 Lutheran Pietist Sect

USA, Pennsylvania, Ephrata, Ephrata Cloister, buildings of the 1732 Lutheran Pietist Sect

Background imagePietist Collection: ILLINOIS: BISHOP HILL. Women of the Pietist village of Bishop Hill, Illinois, drawing water

ILLINOIS: BISHOP HILL. Women of the Pietist village of Bishop Hill, Illinois, drawing water. Painting by Olaf Kraus, a member of the community, c1860

Background imagePietist Collection: NEW YORK: DUNKER BAPTISM. A German Baptist baptism ceremony in the Hudson River

NEW YORK: DUNKER BAPTISM. A German Baptist baptism ceremony in the Hudson River near the White Fort, New York. Lithograph, 1834

Background imagePietist Collection: BISHOP HILL COLONY. The Pietist community founded, 1846, in Illinois, by Erik Jansson from Sweden

BISHOP HILL COLONY. The Pietist community founded, 1846, in Illinois, by Erik Jansson from Sweden. Oil on canvas by Olof Krans, a member of the community, c1880

Background imagePietist Collection: AUGUST HERMANN FRANCKE (1663-1727). German preacher, theologian, and educator

AUGUST HERMANN FRANCKE (1663-1727). German preacher, theologian, and educator. Line engraving, German, 19th century

Background imagePietist Collection: GERMAN BAPTIST, 1880. A Dunker from Ephrata, Pennsylvania. Wood engraving after Howard Pyle, 1880

GERMAN BAPTIST, 1880. A Dunker from Ephrata, Pennsylvania. Wood engraving after Howard Pyle, 1880

Background imagePietist Collection: GERMAN BAPTIST, c1880. A Dunker woman at Ephrata, Pennsylvania

GERMAN BAPTIST, c1880. A Dunker woman at Ephrata, Pennsylvania, shows the little door that represents the narrow way. Wood engraving, c1880

Background imagePietist Collection: KISS OF PEACE, c1880. Two German Baptists (Dunkers) at Ephrata, Pennsylvania

KISS OF PEACE, c1880. Two German Baptists (Dunkers) at Ephrata, Pennsylvania, greet each other with the kiss of peace. Wood engraving after Howard Pyle, c1880

Background imagePietist Collection: DUNKERS AT EPHRATA, 1880. German Baptists on their way to the meeting at Ephrata, Pennsylvania

DUNKERS AT EPHRATA, 1880. German Baptists on their way to the meeting at Ephrata, Pennsylvania. Wood engraving after Howard Pyle, c1880

Background imagePietist Collection: EPHRATA: KLOSTER, 1880. The Kloster (monastery) of the celibate German Baptists, or Dunkers

EPHRATA: KLOSTER, 1880. The Kloster (monastery) of the celibate German Baptists, or Dunkers, at Ephrata, Pennsylvania. Wood engraving after Howard Pyle, c1880

Background imagePietist Collection: DUNKER DORMITORY, c1880. A dormitory in the sisters house of the German Baptists at Ephrata

DUNKER DORMITORY, c1880. A dormitory in the sisters house of the German Baptists at Ephrata, Pennsylvania. Wood engraving after Howard Pyle, c1880

Background imagePietist Collection: PHILIPP J. SPENER (1635-1705). German Protestant theologian. Line engraving, German, 19th century

PHILIPP J. SPENER (1635-1705). German Protestant theologian. Line engraving, German, 19th century

Background imagePietist Collection: PHILIPP SPENER (1635-1705). German Protestant theologian. Line engraving, German, 1683

PHILIPP SPENER (1635-1705). German Protestant theologian. Line engraving, German, 1683

Background imagePietist Collection: ILLINOIS: BISHOP HILL. The Pietist village of Bishop Hill as seen from North of the Edwards River

ILLINOIS: BISHOP HILL. The Pietist village of Bishop Hill as seen from North of the Edwards River in 1855. Painting by Olaf Kraus, a member of the community, 1911

Background imagePietist Collection: BISHOP HILL COLONY, 1875. Harvesting at Bishop Hill Colony, Illinois, founded, 1846

BISHOP HILL COLONY, 1875. Harvesting at Bishop Hill Colony, Illinois, founded, 1846, by the Swedish Pietist Erik Jansson. Oil on canvas, 1875, by Olaf Kraus, a member of the colony



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The Pietist movement, with its roots in Germany, found a home in various parts of the United States, including Pennsylvania and Illinois. In Ephrata, Pennsylvania, the buildings of the 1732 Lutheran Pietist Sect still stand as a testament to their devotion and way of life. The Ephrata Cloister served as a place for communal living and worship. Meanwhile, in Bishop Hill, Illinois, women from the Pietist village were captured drawing water - a simple yet essential task that symbolized their commitment to humility and service. This community was founded by Erik Jansson from Sweden in 1846. One notable figure associated with Pietism is August Hermann Francke. A German preacher, theologian, and educator who lived from 1663-1727. His teachings greatly influenced the movement and his image can be seen in line engravings dating back to the 19th century. In New York's Hudson River region, a German Baptist baptism ceremony took place - an important rite within this religious group. Their faith emphasized simplicity and adherence to biblical principles. Wood engravings from around 1880 depict various aspects of Dunker (German Baptist) life at Ephrata: men dressed in traditional attire on their way to meetings; women showcasing symbolic elements like little doors representing the narrow path; two individuals exchanging greetings with a kiss of peace - all illustrating their dedication to communal harmony. The Kloster (monastery) at Ephrata stands out as an architectural marvel where celibate German Baptists or Dunkers resided together devotedly practicing their faith. These glimpses into different facets of Pietism across America highlight both its historical significance and enduring influence on religious communities throughout time.