Maryland is a classic, old state, one of the original 13 colonies so you would think it would have had a long history of Amish settlement. But that isn't so.
The Amish population has been slowly growing in Maryland, but it's been a slow process. Still, with the huge Amish population in neighboring Pennsylvania, a spillover into Maryland was generally inevitable. But let's start with the oldest, largest, and most unique Amish settlement in the state.
📋 The Amish of Oakland, Maryland
The community is nestled in the mountains in the far, far western end of Maryland. The church was established in 1849 and some of the direct descendants of the founding families still populate the church. This really is an isolated area. The closest "big city" - if you can call it that - is Morgantown, West Virginia an hour away. Oakland isn't a place you just stumble upon, it's a purposeful destination.
I think the isolation has allowed this community to evolve and sort of develop their own rules and rhythms. There are several unique items to the Oakland settlement:
SIZE: At 72 families this is probably the largest single Amish church district in the USA. Most Amish churches don’t grow beyond 25 families before dividing and growing. The church here has discussed dividing in the past but the idea has always been nixed. The bishop has said “we’ve been one church since 1849, it’s difficult to decide to divide.”
SCHOOL: The Amish school here isn’t Amish at all, it’s a public school that happens to be mainly Amish. But a handful of Mennonite kids attend and 5 Southern Baptist students are among the ranks. But the school is governed entirely by public school rules.
PROGRESSIVISM: The Oakland, Maryland community has been gradually drifting progressive. For most of its early years it was Old Order, then New Order and now it is New New Order. The Amish here are permitted electricity in their homes (but no TV, radio, internet, etc) and horse and buggies are infrequently used, instead many drive tractors for their personal transportation. Most use tractors for farming although two families still farm using horse-drawn implements. Non-Amish locals seem to prefer that the Amish use tractors instead of buggies because they are faster on the winding, two lane roads in the area. No buggy traffic jams to worry about. Most all Amish do own buggies and they do use them, but mainly for attending church and other very local functions. In this sense, the Amish here very closely resemble groups in Partridge, Kansas and Guthrie, Kentucky.
CHURCH: This community has their own church building where worship is conducted. So some people joke that the homes are messier here since no one ever has to do the extensive cleaning that most Amish do once or twice a year prior to hosting church.
Unlike many Amish settlements farming is still very dominant here, but there are also many businesses mixed in: construction, bakeries, bulk foods, engine repair and the like.
The Amish community sits at the base of Backbone Mountain, Maryland’s highest point. The growing season this high is short. One of the residents said they don’t put tomato plants out until June 1 “to be safe” but that frost has occurred as late as the first week of July and winter comes early in the mountains…frost has been experienced the last week of August.
🗺️ Other Amish Communities in Maryland
Mechanicsville: this is Maryland's largest Amish settlement and was founded in the 1940s.
Cecil County: There is a small Amish community here.
Carroll County: This is where you get some of the "Amish spillover" from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, north of Westminster near Union Bridge.
You almost might see some "spillover" Amish near Cumberland, Maryland where there is a large Amish settlement just to the north in Somerset County, PA. There are some Amish around Grantsville, Maryland which is part of Somerset's community.
🛒 Amish & Mennonite Businesses in Maryland
This list is is not all-inclusive. The lists are generated from the editor's personal experiences and Amish365 reader recommendations. If you know of a Maryland Amish or Mennonite business that belongs on this list, send us a note!
Oakland: Heidi's Bakery & Cafe, an amazing opportunity to eat in a Plain-owned restaurant.
Oakland: Sugar N Spice Bakery: 8672 Garrett Hwy, Amish-owned bakery and cheese chop. A Yelp reviewer describes the place: This place is incredible. I love that it's an authenitc amish bakery right in in the middle of an amish area. There's even an amish school across the street!. When I went for the donuts, they were still warm, and so amazing. I also like to get the freshly baked pies (berry rhubarb!), which you can see being made from scratch in the back. They also have some packaged goods, but the real selling point are the donuts
Oakland: Schrock's Country Store, 3356 Underwood Rd We offer bulk food items, deli meats and cheeses, and fresh made to order deli sandwiches on homemade bread. Kettle corn and soft serve ice cream are also available. Additionally, we are pleased to provide handcrafted, rustic furniture. This is a classic Amish country store experience.
Garrettsville: Eli & Annie's Bakery, 483 Zahner Rd. A Yelp reviewer had this to say: I Can not tell you their hours as they only have an open sign. This is an Amish Bakery attached to their house. The place will look closed except for the open sign as they do not use lights. Great Glazed Donuts. I would eat these over any other glazed donuts. Come on a Saturday morning as I believe they only make them on Saturday. It is not much of a modern bakery but the baked goods are worth it. $7.50 for 8 donuts. Bring Cash. They have fry pies and other baked goods as well.
Germantown: Lancaster County Dutch Market, 12613 Wisteria Drive. Amish and PA Dutch vendors from Pennsylvania.
📷 Photos From Maryland's Amish Country
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