The Family Involvement in the Anabaptist Movement

Many of our ancestors were involved in the Anabaptist movement of the 16th and 17th centuries, although it is believed that prominent Anabaptist leader Conrad Grebel belonged to a family with no kinship ties to the Kraehenbuehls.

In March 1538, two years after Menno Simons left the Catholic priesthood and joined the Anabaptists, the Swiss towns of Hochstetten and Signau held a religious debate. This was referred to as an official "disputation," requested by these "Swiss Brethren" (original name for the Swiss Anabaptists). Among those present was one Hans Krahenbuhl of Signau.

According to the Mennonite Encyclopedia, the following members of the Krahenbuhl family were brought before the authorities of Bern because of their Anabaptist beliefs: Barbara, in 1645; Peter, in 1655; and Margredt in 1678.

According to the late Mennonite historian H.P. Krehbiel, one Jost Krehbiel left Switzerland about 1671 and settled in southern Germany.

Among those mentioned as having been imprisoned in 1710 were Christian Krayenbuhl of Norben and Hans Kreybuhl. The following year, a Hans Krenbuhl of Diesbach and Peter Krahenbuhl, also of Diesbach, fled to Holland.

    --from The History of the Kraybill Family in America

Today, there are still some descendants of our 16th and 17th century Anabaptist ancestors who are active in Anabaptist-related churches and religious groups. Here are just a few examples:

• Paul N. Kraybill, who died in 1995, was executive secretary for many years of the Mennonite World Conference.
• Nelson Kraybill, whose Kraybill ancestors migrated to America 8 generations ago, is now living in England and active in an effort to stimulate and encourage European interest in contemporary applications of Anabaptist theology. He serves on the staff of the London Mennonite Centre, edits a journal, Anabaptism Today, and is president of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries in Indiana, USA.

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Last modified 12/01/03 by Margaret Crabill Mead
Send e-mail to: patrick.mead@comcast.net