Many people believe the Amish community consists only of white members, but Black Amish people have been part of this religious group since their arrival in North America. Historical records paint a different picture of this private religious community. Moses Shirley stands as a remarkable example – born into slavery in Virginia in 1791, he became a respected Amish minister and established early African American roots within the faith.
The Black Amish population now numbers several hundred people across Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania’s communities. The overall Amish population has seen remarkable growth from 198,000 in 2000 to more than 370,000 today. Black Amish members remain a small but vital part of this cultural mix. Interracial marriages have played a vital role in building Black Amish communities. These unions create unique cultural blends that combine traditional Amish ways with African American heritage.
Black individuals usually join Amish society through adoption or conversion, though neither path comes easy. People often mix up Black Amish communities with Black Mennonite groups, but these represent different religious traditions. This piece looks at the history, cultural impact, and myths about Black Amish people. Their story reveals an overlooked chapter in America’s fastest-growing religious community.
The Origins of Black Amish People in America
The historical record shows African Americans have been part of Amish communities since the early days of Amish settlement in North America. Black Amish people have existed throughout American history, creating an array of cultural exchange that mainstream narratives often overlook.
Early examples of African American converts
African Americans started joining Amish society in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Historical documents reveal freed slaves chose to join Amish communities after emancipation. The simple lifestyle and strong faith-based values attracted them. The path wasn’t easy. Many Amish churches adopted formal segregation policies in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These policies stopped African Americans from joining their communities. The desire to protect their communities from the era’s racism drove these restrictions in part.
Some black individuals broke through these barriers through marriage or by becoming converts. The Mennonite Church shares historical roots with the Amish. It welcomed its first African American members in 1897 when Robert, Mary Elizabeth, and Cloyd Carter joined the Lauver Mennonite Church.
The story of Moses Shirley
Moses Shirley stands out as the most prominent early black Amish person. Born into slavery in Virginia in 1791, Shirley started his experience in the Amish faith after Bishop Jacob Shenk converted him. He moved to Ohio and became an ordained minister in the Amish church. His story marks a turning point in Amish history that opened doors for African American participation in Amish religious life.
Shirley earned respect in the Amish community. His descendants remain active in black Amish communities today. His legacy proves black Amish people’s deep historical roots in America. This challenges the idea that the Amish have always been exclusively white.
Interracial marriage and community diversity
Interracial marriage helped develop black Amish communities throughout American history. People from different cultural backgrounds joined the Amish. This naturally increased community diversity. The mixing of traditions created today’s unique cultural fusion in black Amish communities.
The Mennonite tradition closely relates to Amish practices. Research shows their intermarriage rates increased over time. The rate of endogamy (Mennonites marrying Mennonites) dropped from 93 percent in 1921 to 61 percent in 1981. Younger generations accept intermarriage more than older ones.
Black individuals sometimes join Amish communities through marriage, though this doesn’t happen often. The Amish differ from other Christian denominations. They don’t actively seek converts of any background. Large families and high youth retention rates drive their population growth.
Adoption offers another path for black integration into Amish society. Some Amish families adopt children from various backgrounds, including African American children. These adoptees grow up in Amish culture. They speak Pennsylvania Dutch and follow Amish traditions. As adults, they can choose whether to be baptized into the Amish church.
Cultural Life in Black Amish Communities
The mixture of traditions in Black Amish communities shows a remarkable blend of customs that makes them unique in the broader Amish world. These communities stay true to core Amish practices and preserve their African American heritage. This combination creates a distinctive cultural expression that adds richness to the Amish experience.
Blending African-American and Amish traditions
Black Amish culture blends African-American traditions with traditional Amish customs naturally. This rich cultural fusion shows up in many aspects of daily life, especially in cooking. To cite an instance, “Amish soul food” emerged in Chester County, Pennsylvania, when black communities adapted their traditional recipes with ingredients from Amish markets. Both cultures shared staples like cornmeal and pickled relish known as chow-chow, which led to a true fusion cuisine.
Chef Chris Scott from Coatesville, Pennsylvania created the term “Amish soul food” to describe this special culinary tradition. The roots of this cuisine come from shared historical circumstances. The Amish fled persecution in Europe while African Americans escaped slavery. Both groups relied on resourcefulness. They maintained gardens and created hearty dishes like stews, dumplings, and cobblers from limited ingredients.
Faith, family, and community values
Black Amish people follow the same fundamental beliefs as their white counterparts. The life-blood of Amish life—plain dress, limited technology use, and steadfast dedication to family and community—stays consistent in Amish communities of all backgrounds. These shared values build a strong foundation for community unity.
Faith remains central to daily life for black Amish families, just like all Amish groups. Their focus on humility, simplicity, and separation from the modern world surpasses racial differences and creates a unified spiritual foundation. Black Amish communities honor both their Amish faith and African American heritage through their devotion to family traditions and community service.
Language and worship differences
The biggest difference in black Amish cultural life appears in language and worship practices. Traditional Amish communities speak Pennsylvania Dutch (a centuries-old form of German) among themselves and High German for religious services. Black Amish often use African American English (AAE) as their main language, which preserves an important part of their black heritage.
Black Amish worship services reflect this cultural mixing. They’ve developed their own gospel music style that combines Amish and African American musical traditions alongside traditional Amish hymns. This unique worship style lets black Amish celebrate both aspects of their cultural identity while staying true to core Amish religious practices.
Geographic spread of Black Amish families
You can find Black Amish communities throughout the United States, in traditional Amish strongholds and unexpected regions:
- Pennsylvania and Ohio have the largest concentrations, especially in areas like Chester County
- Indiana has established black Amish settlements
- Some black Amish families live in less expected regions like the Deep South
- Smaller communities exist in other states with Amish populations
People often think black Amish only live in certain states, but they exist in a variety of geographic areas. Black Amish families usually join existing Amish settlements rather than forming separate communities, while keeping their distinctive cultural elements.
Black Amish communities show how cultural adaptation and preservation work together smoothly. Their unique mixing of traditions has created a rich cultural legacy that honors their dual heritage and adds to the diversity of the broader Amish community.
Common Myths About Black Amish People
Misconceptions about Black Amish people run deep in American society. Many people have limited exposure to these diverse communities. Let’s get into some common myths and uncover the truth behind them.
Myth: There are no Black Amish people
This belief ignores documented historical evidence. Several hundred Black individuals now live in Amish communities throughout the United States. Moses Shirley’s story stands out. Born into slavery in Virginia in 1791, he became one of the first documented Black Amish people after Bishop Jacob Shenk converted him. Shirley moved to Ohio and became an ordained minister in the Amish church. His appointment set a precedent for African American participation in Amish religious life. His descendants remain active in Black Amish communities today, creating an unbroken lineage of African American Amish presence.
Myth: Amish communities are racially exclusive
Some Amish churches adopted segregation policies in the late 1800s and early 1900s that kept African Americans from joining. These policies largely ended by the mid-20th century. The Amish faith welcomes people regardless of race. Anyone can join the Amish way of life if they accept their beliefs and lifestyle. Real-life challenges exist though. Converting to Amish faith means completely separating from modern society and technology. This creates significant hurdles for people not born into the community.
Myth: Black Amish culture is separate from Amish tradition
Black Amish communities stay rooted in traditional Amish values and customs while incorporating aspects of African American heritage. They share core religious beliefs, practices, and values with other Amish groups. This cultural blend creates a richer, more diverse expression of Amish life. Black Amish people follow the same practices as their white counterparts. They dress plainly, limit technology use, and maintain strong bonds with community and family.
Myth: Black Amish only exist in certain states
Black Amish communities thrive throughout the United States, from traditional Amish strongholds to unexpected locations. We find them mostly in Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania, but their presence reaches beyond these areas. This geographic spread shows that Black Amish integration happens across American Amish settlements, not just in specific regions.
These realities help correct misperceptions about America’s most private religious community. Black Amish people’s presence shows the complexity and diversity within a group that American culture often portrays as uniform.
How Black Individuals Join the Amish
Black individuals who want to join America’s most private religious group face unique paths to becoming part of the Amish community. The ways to join are limited but possible, and specific steps apply to anyone who wants to live the Amish way of life.
Adoption into Amish families
The main path for Black individuals to become part of Amish society happens through adoption. Amish families adopt children from different backgrounds, including African American children. These children grow up deep in Amish culture, speak Pennsylvania Dutch and follow Amish traditions from their early years. Alan Beiler stands out as an example – an Amish family in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania adopted him and “raised him Amish”.
Research shows Amish families in Holmes County, Ohio have adopted Black children. One story tells of a single woman who adopted an African American child. Another mentions an Amish bishop whose sister and her husband “adopted four biracial children” because “they just wanted children to lavish love on”.
Conversion and baptism process
Adults who wish to join the Amish church must meet these requirements:
- Get involved in community practices and daily Amish life
- Study Amish culture, rituals, and learn Pennsylvania Dutch language
- Commit to receive the baptism sacrament
Church elders must recognize the newcomer’s dedication to Amish life before baptism. They need to confirm the person has earned their place in the church. This includes accepting the Ordnung—a book that guides how Amish should live their daily lives.
Challenges of cultural integration
Black converts must adjust both psychologically and culturally. Learning Pennsylvania Dutch for daily talks and High German for church services creates a big challenge. The switch to Amish culture means completely giving up modern technology and their previous way of life.
People who look different might feel like outsiders in these mostly uniform communities, which could affect how much they feel they belong. Daily life might bring practical issues too, since Amish rules about hair and clothes might not work well with different hair types.
Can Black people be Amish?
Of course, Black individuals can become Amish. The Amish faith doesn’t have any racial rules for membership—they care about faith, community commitment, and following their lifestyle. One observer of Amish life noted, “they are a very accepting and unbiased group of people” who “totally accept and live by the idea that we are all God’s children”.
In spite of that, Black Amish individuals might find it harder to find a life partner. While not necessarily showing racism, marriages between different races remain unusual in a society that values sameness in many ways.
Contributions of Black Amish to Amish Society
The artistic work of Black Amish craftspeople stands as one of the most important contributions to Amish society. Their creations enrich their community’s cultural and economic world through a beautiful blend of traditional techniques and unique cultural influences.
Black Amish artisans and crafts
Black Amish communities have skilled artisans who create exceptional handmade items that showcase their craft mastery. These talented makers produce intricate woven baskets, detailed wooden furniture, and functional pieces that show remarkable precision. Their craftsmanship mirrors the extraordinary achievements of other Black American artisans in history. Thomas Day’s story proves this point – he became North Carolina’s most successful furniture maker by 1855, with today’s equivalent net worth of $1.5 million.
Black Amish families sell their handcrafted goods at local markets, where non-Amish customers eagerly seek their distinctive wares. Many visitors travel miles just to buy these unique items, drawn by their quality and cultural value.
Unique styles in Amish goods
Black Amish crafts stand out through their subtle blend of African-American artistic traditions with traditional Amish designs. This cultural fusion comes alive through bright colors, unique patterns, and distinctive design elements rarely seen in other Amish communities.
Gee’s Bend Quilts from the Black Amish community in Gee’s Bend, Alabama, represent this fusion perfectly. These world-renowned quilts showcase bold geometric patterns and vibrant colors that highlight the successful marriage of African-American and Amish artistic traditions. Wooden picnic baskets made by Black Amish artisans also display this unique cultural integration.
Preserving heritage through craftsmanship
Black Amish artisans keep both their Amish traditions and African-American heritage alive through their distinctive creations. Each handcrafted piece carries generations of family skill, ensuring their culture lives on.
Today’s Black Amish craftspeople create wicker baskets for shelves, vintage wicker laundry baskets, and detailed wooden items. Their work strengthens their community’s economy and helps maintain their unique cultural identity within America’s most private religious group.
Customers who buy these beautiful and functional crafts help preserve this rich cultural heritage while adding truly distinctive pieces to their homes.
Summing it all up
Black Amish people represent an overlooked yet vital part of America’s cultural mixture. African Americans have participated in Amish life since the community’s earliest days in North America. Moses Shirley’s amazing experience from slavery to becoming an Amish minister proves that Amish communities were not exclusively white.
Black Amish communities thrive in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana despite their small numbers. Their unique cultural expressions combine traditional Amish values with elements of African American heritage. This combination creates distinctive traditions that shine through their cooking and artistic contributions. Black Amish craftspeople have enriched their society with exceptional work that subtly weaves African American artistic influences into traditional designs.
Black individuals who join Amish communities face challenges without doubt. The path remains open through adoption or conversion for those ready to accept the strict lifestyle requirements. The Amish faith contains no explicit racial criteria for membership, even during historical periods of segregation. The focus stays on community values and adherence to their way of life.
Limited exposure to these diverse communities has led to persistent myths about Black Amish people. Several hundred Black individuals live within Amish settlements across America, which contradicts popular belief. Their presence challenges the one-dimensional view of America’s most private religious group.
The story of Black Amish life reveals the complexity and diversity within seemingly uniform communities. Black Amish people show how cultural adaptation and preservation work together in harmony. This creates a rich legacy that honors dual heritage and deepens the diversity of American religious expression.
Here are some FAQs about black amish people:
Are there any black Amish communities?
While rare, there are indeed black Amish people who have joined communities through conversion or marriage. The existence of black Amish demonstrates that race isn’t a barrier to joining, though the question “are there black Amish people” reflects their uncommon visibility. Most Amish communities welcome sincere converts regardless of ethnicity, meaning black people can be Amish if they fully embrace the lifestyle and beliefs.
Are there Amish in Mexico?
Mexico has Mennonite communities similar to the Amish, but no traditional Amish settlements. When people ask “are there black Amish” in Mexico, they’re likely thinking of these conservative Mennonite groups. The Mexican Mennonites share some cultural similarities with Amish but maintain distinct religious practices and origins.
Can an outsider be Amish?
Yes, outsiders including black Amish converts can join communities if they fully commit to the Ordnung (rules). The question “can black people be Amish” gets asked often because visible diversity is rare, but conversion is possible for anyone. Potential converts must learn Pennsylvania Dutch, adopt plain dress, and be baptized into the faith.
What are the 4 types of Amish?
The main Amish groups are: Old Order (most traditional), New Order (some technology), Beachy Amish (allow cars), and Amish Mennonites (most progressive). This classification applies equally across communities whether considering white or black Amish members. The “are there black Amish people” question becomes relevant in all these groups, though diversity remains uncommon.
Are there black Mormons?
Yes, the LDS Church has black members, unlike the Amish where black Amish are exceptionally rare. While people ask “are there black Amish,” the Mormon Church has had more visible diversity since its 1978 priesthood revelation. Both groups share conservative values but differ significantly in their racial diversity and missionary outreach.
Are there non-American Amish?
Small Amish settlements exist in Canada, Bolivia and Belize, but nearly all are white descendants of European immigrants. The question “can black people be Amish” applies internationally, though non-white members remain uncommon globally. These overseas communities maintain the same traditions as their American counterparts regarding technology and lifestyle.
Who are Mexican Mennonites?
Mexican Mennonites are German-descended Anabaptists similar to but distinct from Amish, sometimes confused when people ask “are there black Amish” in Mexico. They speak Plautdietsch and operate dairy farms, maintaining conservative dress codes. Unlike the Amish, they often use modern farm equipment and vehicles while remaining culturally isolated.
What religion is closest to Amish?
The Mennonites are the closest, sharing Anabaptist roots and pacifism but being more open to technology and diversity (including black Amish converts). When considering “can black people be Amish,” the more progressive Mennonites have historically been more racially inclusive while maintaining similar theological foundations.
What is the Mexican version of the Amish?
The Mexican Mennonites serve as the closest equivalent, though unlike queries about black Amish, these are predominantly white communities. They maintain traditional agriculture and simple living like the Amish, but with more technological adaptation. Their colonies in Chihuahua and Durango represent the largest conservative Anabaptist presence in Latin America.
