Culture Change in an Amish Community

Abstract

Since 1934, the Amish-Mennoite community of Plain City, Ohio has shifted its religious affiliation from the Old Order Amish Church to several more liberal Mennoite denominations. Research conducted in this community in 1977 indicates that this change in religious affiliation has resulted in major changes in other aspects of culture, including language, family patterns, occupations, and education. The results of this study suggest that the Mennonite churches may serve to facilitate the movement of Amish individuals into mainstream American culture.