Conrad Beissel facts for kids
Johann Conrad Beissel (born March 1, 1691 – died July 6, 1768) was a religious leader from Germany. In 1732, he started a special community called the Ephrata Community in what is now Pennsylvania.
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Early Life and New Beginnings
Johann Conrad Beissel was born in a town called Eberbach in Germany. He moved to Pennsylvania in 1720. Beissel had hoped to join a group of spiritual people called hermits who lived together. This group was started by Johannes Kelpius, but Kelpius had passed away before Beissel arrived.
Beissel then met Conrad Matthaei, who became a close friend and spiritual guide. The group that Kelpius had led settled near the Wissahickon Creek. They spent their time praying, thinking deeply, and studying the stars. They also taught the children in their community. Some members chose not to marry, while others did.
Founding the Ephrata Community
In 1732, Beissel created his own unique community in Ephrata. He called it the Camp of the Solitary. It had separate buildings for women (the Sister House) and men (the Brother House). People in the community believed it was good to live a simple life and not marry, but it wasn't a rule for everyone.
Each person in the community chose a new name. Beissel's new name was Friedsam, and later the community added "Gottrecht" to it. Families who believed in Beissel's teachings also moved nearby. They looked to Beissel as their spiritual leader and worshipped with the community on Saturdays, which they considered the Sabbath. Their ideas were influenced by the Schwarzenau Brethren.
Beissel was not only the community's spiritual leader but also a composer of music. He created his own way of writing music. It was designed to make harmony easier by using special patterns of "master notes" and "servant notes." This unique musical system was even mentioned in a famous book called Doctor Faustus.
The Ephrata community was also known for its printing press. They printed many books and documents. After Beissel died in 1768, and especially after the American Revolution, the community became smaller. It didn't attract enough new members, and over time, its people joined other Baptist churches.
A Special Diet: Veganism
Johann Conrad Beissel was one of the first people in North America to follow a vegetarian diet for religious reasons. The entire Ephrata community reportedly avoided eating meat. Beissel believed that eating meat was not good for a person's spiritual journey.
Beissel created a special vegan diet for the Ephrata community. This diet meant they did not eat any meat, dairy products, eggs, or honey. Instead, their meals included foods like buckwheat, cabbage, fruits, green vegetables, potatoes, and wheat.
Images for kids
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This is a page from a hymnal (songbook) made by hand at the Ephrata Community in 1746.
