From Far Away RussiaA Profound Faith"No churches in the state are so large as these in the Mennonite and Russian settlements of the short grass country."--Kansas City Star, October 8, 1911 
Both Mennonites and Volga Germans were profoundly religious. Churches were among the first structures raised in every Russian-German community. Identified only as "Mathias Rohr and his second wife" (Volga Germans), the couple at left reveals their faith by the rosaries and the Bible they hold. 
Eventually, simple frame buildings gave way to spectacular architectural monuments to an abiding religious faith. Alexanderwohl Mennonite church near Goessel, Kansas, ca. 1900 (right). Catholic Volga German church at Catherine, Kansas, built 1890-1892 (below). 
TodayRussian-German communities have survived many challenges in the twentieth century. The anti-German sentiment of two world wars has suppressed their language and customs. The automobile and other technological advances have increased outside influences on their communities. Finally, Russian-Germans themselves have sought a more active role in the larger American society. Through their gradual entry into mainstream American life, however, the Russian-Germans have maintained the Old World flavor of their culture and traditions. This concludes the virtual tour of From Far Away Russia: Russian-Germans in Kansas. |
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