Groundbreaking took place in April 1988 (L-R: President Gerhard Spiegler, Caleb Bucher, Warren Eshbach, and Earl Ziegler)
On July 15, 1989, the Rufus P. Bucher Meetinghouse and Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Groups, an internationally renowned center for scholarly research, opened its doors on the shores of Lake Placida.
A 3,500-square-foot expansion in 2018 offered additional space for researchers and the center’s collection as well as new offices, a new gallery, and a larger classroom/reading area.
Today, the Young Center continues to serve as an integral part of academic life at the College by fostering and promoting the study of Anabaptist and Pietist groups. The Center interprets the cultural and religious heritage of Anabaptist and Pietist communities to the general public via events such as lectures, seminars, and conferences. Yearly activities include a spring and fall lecture series, an annual banquet, the Durnbaugh Lectures, and the Dale W. Brown Book Award.
Staff members teach undergraduate classes for the College and conduct research related to the Anabaptist and Pietist movements. The Center also supports a fellows program and maintains a variety of research collections that are available to the public.
Discover more about the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies.