By Kevin Williams
While the Amish tend to be clustered in the Midwest, New England, and West (with some exceptions), the Mennonite church has far more variety of theology and there Plain communities planted throughout the USA. Often these Plain Mennonite churches have very close roots to the Amish. The Mennonite church in Etowah, North Carolina, in the far western part of the state, fits the bill of a Plain Mennonite church with close ties to the Amish.
Thank you to Karen P, who lives in the area, for giving us some information and pictures about this church.
The dress is plain but perhaps a bit more progress than more conservative Plain churches. Men wear jeans and solid shirts with women wearing dresses and head coverings
What catches my interest is a Mennonite-run restaurant there called The Dutch Cupboard. Karen says that the head-coverings generated a lot of interest and questions among local so they used to have information cards on the restaurant tables describing the coverings.
The Etowah Mennonite church has a web site , although there is not much there. Interestingly, the previous leader of the church was a well-respected local family doctor, so this particular Plain church doesn't shun all higher education like some more conservative Plain churches do.
Here are a few scenes from the Dutch Cupboard, thank you, Karen, for sharing with us!
My favorite scene: the menu from the Dutch Cupboard, shows a blend of traditional and regional favorites! You have regional stuff like okra and black-eye peas, but look at the Amish Friendship Cake, THAT is something you do not find on many menus anywhere!
The Dutch Cupboard restaurant at 6500 Brevard Rd, Etowah, NC 28729. I'd absolutely go there if you live in the South and you want to experience Amish or Mennonite fare.
The Amish influence is not far from the Mennonite-owned Dutch Cupboard.
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