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John A. Hostetler, a renowned sociologist and scholar of the Amish who grew up in the Big Valley, called this area “one of the most diverse expressions of Anabaptist-Mennonite culture anywhere in North America.” This region, approximately thirty miles long and four miles wide, is home to no less than twelve different Amish and Mennonite groups—all of which are derived from one original Amish settlement. These groups range from some of the most integrated and liberal Mennonites to arguably the most conservative Old Order Amish sects in North America.
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The Byler Amish Church, also called die Alt Gemee (the Old Church), is descended from the Samuel B. King split. This sect, the smallest of the Old Order Amish groups in the Big Valley – Mifflin County PA. (also called the Kishacoquillas Valley) with 3 congregations, is often distinguished by the yellow roofs on the buggies of its members, earning them the nickname “yellow-toppers.”
I was out driving around in the morning after we had 3″ to 6″ of
fresh snow the night before looking to make a few images.
It was around 10:00am when I came upon this horse and buggy.
The temperature was around 13 deg’s and wind was 18 mph with
gust’s to 30 mph and the wind chill was -1 deg. In other words is was cold.
