It doesn't appear Harmony was Methodist. Did Ora Labora convert after arrival?

The Ora Labora Michigan colony appears to have been founded and operated so that members could combine work with prayer, and live according to the Methodist Church discipline.

Was there a significant movement in Germany in the 19th century for an Amish type of lifestyle?

During the mid to late 1800's, there were several movements to promote and foster religious and communal societies. They were not specific to Germany, but wealthy and ruling families. During the late 1800’s, there was a movement by wealthy barons in Europe to establish Jewish colonies all over the world. One of the barons was Moritz de Hirsch, who made his fortune in Russia’s railroads under the Czar. Hirsch’s solution was to establish colonies for Jewish agriculture. In the United States, German immigrants near Pittsburgh established a successful religious colony called Harmony. Its success led to other colonies being established, including Ora Labora.

Ora Labora Michigan – A Little Colony in the Wilderness – Part 1

Ora Labora known as “Christian German Agricultural and Benevolent Society of Ora et Labora” (Pray and Work), where it’s parishioners could combine work with prayer, and live according to the Methodist Church Discipline. Founded in 1862 on Michigan’s Wild Fowl Bay, the colony disappeared in 1867

by Michael HardyNovember 10, 2019February 13, 20252

Part One- Ora Labora Story

Michael Hardy

Michael is the owner of Thumbwind Publications LLC. It started in 2009 as a fun-loving site covering Michigan's Upper Thumb. Since then, he has expanded sites and range of content and established a loyal base of 60,000 visitors per month.

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