After the Second World War, French Anabaptist Mennonite communities became aware of the importance of preserving and transmitting their history. In this spirit, the French Association for Anabaptist Mennonite History (AFHAM) was founded on June 4, 1979, in the Vosges region.
Bringing together historians, sociologists, theologians, and dedicated researchers, the association is committed to studying and promoting the unique history of this movement. It conducts extensive inventories of places of worship, farms, and cemeteries; collects manuscripts, printed works, photographs, and genealogical records; and works to preserve the tangible traces of this heritage. AFHAM also shares its research to raise awareness among contemporary audiences—both Mennonite and non-Mennonite—of this rich historical legacy.
Each year at Carrefour, in the Église des Chaînes, AFHAM welcomes hundreds of visitors eager to learn more about Anabaptist, Mennonite, and Amish history. The magnificent buggy displayed in the courtyard of the vendor hall also draws considerable interest and sparks many conversations.
