Association française d’histoire anabaptiste et mennonite (AFHAM)

After WW2, the “Anabaptists Mennonites” from France realized the importance of remembering their past. This is how the French Anabaptist and Mennonite History Society (AFHAM) was created on June 4th 1979.It was managed by historians, sociologists, theologists and other history lovers that were fond of this movement.The AFHAM has set itself the following goals:Make an inventory of the places of worship, farms and cemeteriesPut all the manuscripts, printed documents, engravings, photos, genealogical studies into archivesDeal with the legal situation of cemeteries and other material tracks so that they can be preservedSpread the results of the research and all documents that can raise awareness among contemporaries, Mennonites in general and the members of the society.

EXHIBITION

Who Are the Anabaptists? & "Courage to Love" – Humanitarian Quilts

Town

Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines

Exhibition venue

Eglise des Chaînes, 81 Rue Saint-Louis, 68160 Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines

Year

2025

A unique activity will take place at the Église des Chaînes, initiated by Maria Friesen, Renée Braun, and Ruth Lüthi, in collaboration with AFHAM. Join a group of quilters with big hearts as they create patchwork quilts for displaced communities, distributed through the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). During the event, four quilters will present this humanitarian project and invite anyone interested to join them at their table for a moment of sewing and sharing.The French Anabaptist Mennonite History Association will also showcase a genealogical tree of Christian denominations, tracing the origins of the Mennonites and Amish. A collection of historic books, a stand featuring specialized literature, immersive videos, and an authentic Amish buggy from Pennsylvania, displayed in the Vendor Hall courtyard, will complete this deep dive into their history and way of life.