Orthodox Mennonite Church, Huron County

The Orthodox Mennonite Church, Huron County or "Gorries", as they are nicknamed, originated as a division from the Wellesley Orthodox Mennonites in 1974. After several changes, including men beginning to wear beards, and the Bishop Elam S. Martin beginning to liberalize his interpretation of the ban, the latter divided from their church to form their own group. In 1979, this new group moved to the Gorrie-Wroxeter area of Huron County, and legally registered as the "Orthodox Mennonite Church, Huron County". In practice, the Gorries are almost identical to their parent group in Wellesley Township. However, their more open interpretation of the ban keeps the two groups of Orthodox Old Orders separate. The Gorries have grown over the years to a much larger church than the Wellesley Orthodox, specifically in that they have taken in several of the more traditional members of the Old Order Mennonite Church. Because of this, they have expanded into other rural Ontario communities. In addition, they have come into full fellowship with small Old Order groups in he United States. The Gorries have a close relationship also with the Kinloss Old Order Mennonites, a small but growing conservative sub-division within the Old Order Mennonite Church in Ontario.

Genesis of the Huron Orthodox Mennonites

About March 2, 1974, Amos Sherk, future Bishop of the Wellesley Orthodox Mennonites wrote, "A meeting was held at tbe home of Emanuel Sherks by the remainig members after the withdrawl of tne greater part of the church members. Although heart broken it was agreed bybthe followin to continue servies and communion was held on April 14th."

See Also

Old Order Mennonite Groups in Ontario

Wellesley Orthodox Mennonites