Schwenkfelder Day
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Where is Schwenkfelder Day celebrated?
Schwenkfelder Thanksgiving is celebrated in the Pennsylvania Dutch country of the US, where the Schwenkfelder community lives.
Who is Schwenkfelder Day celebrated by?
This day is celebrated by the Schwenkfelders in September. They are the followers of a theologian Caspar Schwenkfeld who started this sect in the Protestant circles in Germany during the Reformation movement. To escape religious persecution in Europe they migrated to the US.
When did Schwenkfelder Day first start?
The first Schwenkfelder Thanksgiving was held on September 22, 1734.
Who started Schwenkfelder Day?
The Schwenkfelders that first came to America gave started this day to give thanks to God that they had arrived safely and escaped persecution.
History And Timeline
The Schwenkfelder churches currently have about 3000 members that still celebrate Schwenkfelder Thanksgiving in the Pennsylvania Dutch region. The celebrations include a service at one of the Schwenkfelder churches, where a religious and historical address is made.
This is followed by a meal. To know how Schwenkfelder Thanksgiving came about, we have to know a little about Schwenkfelder's history. Here's a brief timeline to help you.
Founder Of The Schwenckfelds Was Born
Caspar Schwenckfeld von Ossig, the founder of this group, was born in Poland.
1489The Group Named Themselves
The Schwenkfelders come to be known as the Confessors of the Glory of Christ
1541The Schwenkfelders Were Persecuted
The group is jailed by the government, fined, and forced into slavery across Europe. The Orthodox Churches in Europe also take part in these persecutions.
1719-1925The Schwenkfelders Arrive In The US
A small group of Schwenkfelders arrives in Philadelphia. The following year another group arrived from Germany.
1733Schwenkfelder Church Was Formed In America
This Church is formed in Pennsylvania, USA.
1909Traditions And Customs
Partaking in a meal that includes foods that were eaten at the original celebration, such as butter, bread, water, and apple butter, is a custom or tradition of Schwenkfelder Thanksgiving. However, now a lot more items such as squash and turkey have been incorporated into the meal.
Ways To Observe Or Celebrate Schwenkfelder Day
You can learn more about the Schwekfelders at the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center or by visiting the Society of the Descendants of the Schwenkfelder Exiles website.
You can visit a Schwenkfelder Church for their thanksgiving service and see how this day is celebrated.
Facts And Stats
- Schwenkfelder Day is recognized by the Pennsylvania State Senate. A Resolution commemorating this day was introduced and adopted on September 19, 2017.
- Schwenkfelder Day is 287 years old as it has been observed and celebrated every year since it first began in 1734
- The foods that were eaten as part of the first Schwenkfelder Day meal, such as apple butter, bread, and water, are still consumed as part of the Thanksgiving feast.
Where did the Schwenkfelders come from?
The Schwenkfelders came from Germany and other parts of Europe.
What are some important things we need to keep in mind while celebrating Schwenkfelder Day?
Schwenkfelder Thanksgiving has immense historical significance as it is the oldest and continually celebrated Thanksgiving Day in the United States.
What are some advantages of celebrating Schwenkfelder Day?
Just like traditional Thanksgiving, Schwenkfelder Thanksgiving reminds us to be thankful for what we have. It is also a day to celebrate and spend with our close family and friends.
When Is This Day Celebrated
- Thursday, September 24, 2020
- Friday, September 24, 2021
- Saturday, September 24, 2022
- Sunday, September 24, 2023
- Tuesday, September 24, 2024
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