People of Peace: A History of the Virginia Mennonite Conference

by Steven M. Nolt and Elwood E. Yoder

People of Peace: A History of the Virginia Mennonite Conference traces the unique and often overlooked story of Mennonites in Virginia and the surrounding regions. From their early migration in the 1700s, through the turmoil of the Civil War, to their resurgence in mission, service, and peacebuilding in the 20th and 21st centuries, this book offers a rich and engaging narrative of faith in action.

As the only Mennonite community located within the former Confederacy, Virginia Mennonites faced a distinct set of challenges during the Civil War—grappling with issues of conscience, nonviolence, and loyalty in a divided nation. Their story provides a rare lens through which to examine how religious convictions shaped decisions in times of national conflict.

Authors Steven Nolt and Elwood Yoder—both respected historians and educators—bring together decades of research, interviews, and archival material to craft a compelling account that blends history, theology, and social insight. They trace how Mennonite communities in Virginia grew, changed, and sometimes divided over questions of culture, mission, education, and church governance. Along the way, readers are introduced to influential leaders, congregations, and moments that have helped shape a diverse and faithful Anabaptist witness in the region.

This book not only chronicles institutional developments within the Virginia Mennonite Conference but also highlights the lived experiences of everyday people—farmers, pastors, teachers, and young people—who sought to live out their beliefs in changing times. Whether dealing with war, cultural shifts, or questions of unity and outreach, Virginia Mennonites have continually returned to their core values of peace, service, and community.

Accessible to both general readers and scholars, People of Peace offers a valuable resource for anyone interested in Anabaptist history, religious life in the American South, or the ways faith communities navigate change while staying rooted in tradition.

537 pages, Masthof Press, July 2025.