Hutterites in Central Europe 1517 - 1772
By Caleb and Joshua Hofer
| During the Reformation, Dr. Martin Luther translated the Bible from Latin into German and more people were able to read it. They read for themselves the Sermon on the Mount: the teachings of Jesus, that God loves us and wants us to love our neighbour and particularly, that we strive to do good, even when others treat us maliciously or violently. Also, based on the example and teaching of Jesus, in 1525 they began practising adult or believers baptism, and were called Anabaptists. In 1526, this baptism was declared a crime punishable by death. Thousands of Anabaptists fled from the German-speaking countries, of Switzerland, Austria and Germany, to Moravia. |
 The cloak on each mural represents Community of Goods: In the fall of 1528, a group of 200 Anabaptists took refuge in a deserted village near Austerlitz, Moravia. Instructed by their leaders, one of whom spread his cloak on the ground, people took their belongings and placed them on the cloak; these goods were divided up according to everyone’s needs. This enabled them to survive, and became one of the most important tenets of their faith. “And all that believed were together and had all things in common” (Acts 2:44). |
 This (Bible on mural) translates to: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayer” (Acts 2:42). |
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  Praying hands, dove, heart and food: During the golden years (1565 – 1591), Hutterites in Moravia prospered spiritually and materially. They enjoyed peace, freedom of religion, sufficient food and a good reputation. Scroll, feather pen: Hutterites were well educated. Some of the nobles living around them even sent their children to be educated in Hutterian schools. In fact, the Hutterites were the first people to have kindergartens. |
 Sword, axe, lock: Because their way of life and faith differed from that of the mainstream Roman Catholic Church, Hutterites suffered much persecution in Europe. They were tortured and imprisoned and had to flee to other countries. Because of persecution during the war between Turkey and the Habsburgs from 1658 - 1661, they were even compelled to give up Community of Goods (communal property), for a period of 60 years. |
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Hutterites in Russia 1770 - 1874
By Alex Waldner and Shaniah Hofer
| The cloak on each mural represents Community of Goods: In the fall of 1528, a group of 200 Anabaptists took refuge in a deserted village near Austerlitz, Moravia. Instructed by their leaders, one of whom spread his cloak on the ground, people took their belongings and placed them on the cloak; these goods were divided up according to everyone’s needs. This enabled them to survive, and became one of the most important tenets of their faith. “And all that believed were together and had all things in common” (Acts 2:44). |
 Flag: In 1770 the Hutterites moved to the Ukraine, a country in Northern Russia, because they were promised freedom of religion and exemption from war. |
 Castle: A Russian Count was kind to the Hutterites. When they arrived in Russia, Rumiantsev sent a guard of 10 Cossack soldiers to escort them to their new home and help them set up communities. Unfortunately, when Count Rumiantsev died, his sons were not so kind; the Hutterites were compelled to move onto government lands, because the Rumiantsev sons wanted to make them serfs! |
 Horse, wheat: Later, when they lived in the Molotschna region of Southern Russia, Hutterites learned farming techniques from the Mennonites on the steppes. |
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 Angel: One night Michael Waldner, who was a blacksmith and Elder in Hutterdorf in Russia, had a vision. An angel came to him and inspired him to start Community of Goods again. Together with Darius Walter and Jacob Hofer, he persuaded his congregation to resume community living once again. The three groups of Hutterites were named after those Elders. |
  Anvil: The Schmiedeleut, our group, named after Michael Waldner, a blacksmith or a Schmied in German. House: The Dariusleut after Darius Walter. Bell: The Lehrerleut after Jacob Wipf, a teacher or Lehrer. The Schmiedeleut are now found in Manitoba, the Dakotas and Minnesota. The Dariusleut and the Lehrerleut are in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Montana and Washington. |
 Crossed swords: After living in Russia from 1770 to 1874, the Russian government no longer exempted the Hutterites from military service. Because Hutterites don’t believe in violence, they decided to immigrate to North America, so they set sail on the Hammonia Ship. |
 Bible: This translates to: “And all that believed were together and had all things common.” Acts 2:44 |
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Hutterites in North America 1874 to the present
By Damion and Laura Hofer
 Flag: From 1874 to 1879, Hutterites immigrated to North America and settled in Dakota Territory. |
 Animals, a truck, a tractor: To make a living, Hutterites settled in communities called colonies and raised farm animals and crops. |
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 Carpenter tools, welder: Besides farming, nowadays many colonies have started manufacturing businesses, including woodworking, metal work, plastics and ventilation systems. For example, at Elm River Colony, we have a woodworking business. |
 Hands, world: Like the early Hutterites, our church today engages in outreach. Locally, we donate food to the Salvation Army, Winnipeg Harvest and Siloam Missions. We also pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Our people do mission work in Nigeria, Liberia and Romania. Romania is the country our ancestors lived in from 1661 -1770. |
 Bible: This translates to: “By this all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one another” (John 13:35). And that is why we still live in community today! |
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| References: Hofer, John. The History of the Hutterites. Revised Edition. (1996) Waldner, Johannes. The Chronicle of the Hutterian Brethren Vol. I (Translated and Edited by the Hutterian Brethren 2003) Zeigelschmied A.J.F. The Chronicle of the Hutterian Brethren Vol. II (Translated and Edited by the Hutterian Brethren 1998) |
Flags: Some of the countries in which the Hutterites lived in Europe were Germany, Austria, Slovakia (Hungary) and Transylvania (Romania).
Pottery, shoe, lock, spoon, wagon: In Moravia, Hutterites made their living by producing leatherwork, wagons, locks and cutlery.
The hat represents Jacob Hutter; he was a hat maker by trade and later became the Elder of the Community in Moravia. Hutterites still carry his name today. 
Arrows: Around 1819, there was a lot of arguing amongst the Hutterites, which resulted in their abandoning Community of Goods. This lasted for 40 years! Closed book and broken pencil: Thus, the Hutterites became very poor, demoralized and even illiterate.
Alcatraz: During WWI, four Hutterite brothers were imprisoned in Alcatraz because they refused to participate in military training.
Flag: Because they weren’t granted exemption from military service, Hutterites moved to Canada in 1918.
Computer, graduation hat: After immigrating to North America, Hutterites hired non-Hutterite teachers to teach in colony schools, because they were not qualified to teach in an English-speaking country. This lasted for many years. Today there are over 70 Hutterite teachers in Manitoba. Education is emphasized, and each year Hutterites graduate from high school and trade schools.