106 / Growth-and Some Decline-of the Churches

The three congregations in Ohio by 1965 had a total membership of less than 200.

The Wisler Schism and Its Meaning to the Ohio Churches

Far more important in the life of the Ohio Mennonite churches than any of the above schisms was that of the division which grew out of the activities of one Jacob Wisler (1808-89)»" Born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Wisler came with his family to Columbiana County, Ohio, about 1820. Here he grew to manhood and in 1833 was ordained minister in the Oberholtzer (Midway) meetinghouse. By 1848 he removed to Elkhart County, Indiana, where he was ordained as a bishop in 1851, and where he spent the remaining years of his eventful life. Wisler became a leader of the conservative viewpoint and though known as a kindly and affable person he did not escape encounters with persons who challenged his position as being either too strict or too lenient with regard to change and the introduction of new things.

As time went on, Wisler became involved in church factions in Indiana and he seemed to have increasing difficulty as he administered the affairs of the church. Wisler did not endorse the Sunday school movement and had his misgivings about church publications, and anything that resembled revivalistic preaching." In June of 1867 a ministerial meeting found Wisler at odds with his colleagues whose charges against him were so numerous that he agreed to discontinue preaching until he was recalled. On August 17, 1867, the church in council voted that Wisler be silenced from his ministry of preaching.'" He was restored, however, by Bishop Isaac Hoffer (1799-1880) of Williams County, Ohio, but this restoration only served to heighten the tension between him and Daniel Brenneman, the aggressive leader who in 1864 had migrated from Allen County, Ohio, to Elkhart County, Indiana.''

There were later efforts to restore order in the situation by appeals to leaders who earnestly sought to heal the breach. Peace was only temporary and on March 2, 1869, a complete division took place. John F. Funk threw the weight of his considerable influence against reinstating Jacob Wisler as a bishop. Wisler announced a separate meeting for himself and his followers for the next Sunday.''

It is noteworthy to see the role of the Ohio Conference