The origin of Eden Mennonite Church goes back to the Russian province of Volhynia where Mennonite families resided as a congregational unity during the 1800’s. Of Swiss origin, this group of Anabaptists had to flee their homes because of persecution and had made their homes in the Alsace, southern Germany and Poland before finally putting down their roots in the Ukraine of Russia. Loss of privileges in language, education and military exemption again prompted them to search for a new homeland. In 1874 plans were made to migrate to America.
Seventy-three families, consisting of almost the entire congregation from the village of Kotosufka, left Russia on August 6, 1874 under the leadership of Elder Jacob Stucky and Minister Jacob D. Goering. At Liverpool, England they embarked on the SS City of Richmond and arrived in New York on September 3, 1874. Fourteen families went to South Dakota where their relatives had settled earlier, fifty-three families, came by rail to Peabody, Kansas, and 6 families went to Illinois where they worked off their passage fees. Once the debt was paid they also settled in the Moundridge area. Traveling overland, their final destination was the Immigrant house provided by the Santa Fe Railroad located three and one-half miles west and one-half mile north of present-day Moundridge. While some families began to build their farmsteads immediately, others chose to spend the first winter living in the immigrant house, which also served as a worship center and school. In 1882 the Hoffnungsfeld (Hopefield) Congregation erected a church near the immigrant house. This building is now the oldest Mennonite church still in continuous use in Kansas. In 1895 differences within the group led to the formation of a second congregation known as Hoffnungsfeld-Eden. For several years the two groups worshiped in the same building on alternate Sundays, but in June, 1898 this new congregation dedicated its own worship center located one-half mile west of the original church building.
As the need for larger facilities became apparent, the congregation made another move to a new building at the present site, four miles west and two miles north of Moundridge. This dedication service was held on September 14, 1924, fifty years after the arrival of the first immigrants from Europe. At this time the congregational name was changed to Eden Mennonite Church. This building was enlarged and remodeled in 1949 and underwent subsequent changes to accommodate the physical needs of the congregates.
On January 25, 1988 the Eden church building was totally destroyed by fire. Later the congregation voted to rebuild at the same location and ground-breaking took place on August 21, 1988. During the two intervening years worship services were held at Moundridge High School. Dedication of the new meeting-house was held March 25, 1990.
In 1995, the centennial of the founding of Eden, a year-long celebration was held to commemorate the hundred-year history of the congregation. Monthly programs featuring musical groups, historical events and other presentations such as an original historical drama, were followed by a homecoming week-end celebrating the centennial theme, “To the Glory of God!” During its one hundred-year history the Eden Mennonite Church has moved from its very ethnic tradition to a congregation that is enriched by diversity, both in membership and leadership. However it is still centered on its mission – to proclaim and live the teachings of Jesus – and to share its rich traditions and Christian heritage.
Source: http://edenmennonite.org/Historical_Committee as retrieved on April 20, 2011