Junaluska Soldiers in the Mid Twentieth Century
World War II and the Mennonite Brethren Church
The Mennonite faith stresses the value of non-violence and for that reason, some members of the church did not serve during World War II; however, there were still men in Junaluska (and a few from the church) that entered the military. Some of these men are pictured in the image of soldiers at Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, above. For a list of men who served in the military, see our <a href="http://junaluskaheritage.org/works-cited">resources page</a>.
Junaluska Heritage Association
Scanned in 2011, 1940s
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army, war, Boone Mennonite Brethren, Junaluska, history
The Gospel Gems
Music and the Boone Mennonite Brethren Church
The 1980s saw the formation of the Mennonite Church’s first choir, The Gospel Gems. They were a popular musical quartet that temporarily dissolved in the latter half of the decade, later reforming in 1993. Their music, inspired by slave hymnals, serves as the base for today’s talented and wildly popular Mennonite Church choir.
For more information go to:
http://boonechurch.com/choir/
Junaluska Heritage Association
Scanned in 2011
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Gospel Gems, choir, church, Boone Mennonite Brethren, Timeline
JHA Members at the 2015 Jubilee
Group photograph at the Annual Jubilee Celebration
This image shows many members of the Junaluska Heritage Association posing outside of the Boone Mennonite Brethren Church for a photograph during the 2015 Jubilee. Jubilees celebrate the Junaluska community and its historic leaders through entertainment and a group meal. The Boone Mennonite Brethren Church has hosted these celebrations since 2012, keeping in line with the Church's historical commitment to community building.
Lonnie Webster
July 2015
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JHA, jubilee, community, church
Rev. and Mrs. Joseph W. Tschetter , Chicago, ILL
Photo of Rev. Joseph Tschette and Kathania Tschetter
In 1917 Rev. Joseph and Kathania Tschetter began holding Mennonite services in the Junaluska community’s school house. A congregation of eight original members was established, and by 1918 the Boone Brethren Mennonite Church was founded where it still stands today.
Unknown
Richert, Katherine S. Go Tell It on the Mountain: The Story of the North Carolina-Tennessee Mennonite Mission. Fresno: Jet Print.
The Boone Mennonite Brethren Church
Junaluska Heritage Association
A sunny day at church
Lonnie Webster
July 2015
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church, Mennonite Brethren Church
Rev. Ronda Horton
Church Leaders
Horton attended school at the Salem Mennonite Mission Church and Orphanage even though he was not an orphan. The influence of the Mennonite missionaries had a great influence on him as a child, and in 1935, he became the minister of the Boone Mennonite Brethren Church, where he served until his death in 1986 at the age of 96. In addition to his service to the Boone Church, he also was elected moderator of the six Mennonite Brethren churches that make up the North Carolina District Conference. His strong spirituality and dedication to the church and Junaluska community earned him the title of “Moses of the Mountain.”
Historic Boone Collection
Watauga County Public Library
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Rhonda Horton, Mennonite Brethren Church, church
Property Map
Junaluska Map by Decade
This map shows the progression of home ownership in the neighborhood (Junaluska and the larger surrounding area), with some of these parcels actually pre-dating the community's name, "Junaluska." According to Sandra Hagler, a longtime resident and member of the Junaluska Heritage Association, “For years it was just known as ‘the hill' or ‘the black section.' I think it would be back in the '70s or '80s when the town started calling it that.” Some suggest the neighborhood gets its current name from its main street—named Junaluska. The Boone Mennonite Brethren Church thus became part of the "Junaluska" community at this time.
Trent Margrif, Grant Maher, David Rayburn,
Ashley Sedlak, Charles Taylor
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Junaluska, property, history