2015 Camping: Iowa

Last August, I stayed at a campground near the Amana Colonies in Iowa. This enclave of seven villages is the result of a moving story of faith and determination. 

The villages were established by a group of Pietists known as the Community of True Inspiration. Founded in the early eighteenth century in Germany, they sought to renew their faith through prayer, reflection, and Bible study. They also expected the Holy Spirit would inspire individuals to speak and provide inspiration, or prophecy, to the community. 

The Inspirationists, as they were also known, were persecuted for their beliefs. They eventually began living in several self-sustaining communities in central Germany, where they remained for over a century. In the mid-1830's, persecution and economic depression again forced the community to move, this time to New York State. As the growing community found the farmland originally purchased insufficient, they moved to twenty-six thousand acres in Iowa. 

In exchange for sharing all property and resources, community members were provided housing, food, medical care, and other necessities. Communal kitchens provided the colonists with three meals plus two snacks every day. They became famous for their high-quality craftsmanship, which was viewed as a "testament of both their faith and their community spirit."

The colonies' religious role came to an end at the onset of the Great Depression. In addition to the economic conditions, a ruinous fire at the flour mill and cultural changes within the colonies led to its collapse as religious society. Its cultural and economic traditions are still maintained by the Amana Society, Inc, and one of the seven original churches remain open, but the community's government and economic life are now separate from its religious one.

The faith tradition continues on a smaller scale. I visited the one remaining village church during my time in the colonies. The people were friendly and interested in getting to know visitors. They were clear that there was to be no side talking in the sanctuary, either before or during their services. (Episcopalians cannot do this, especially the "before" part.) They offer a smaller anteroom where visiting is allowed before and after the service. The interior of the church was very simple. There were benches in the old style (perhaps built when the colonies were young). The lighting, though electric, was made to look like old-fashioned kerosene lamps. No cross hung in the sanctuary, for the cross is "written on the heart." Hymns were sung a cappella. 

If you would like more information on the Amana Colonies, the visitor bureau's website is here. My source, in addition to my experience as a visitor, is found on pages four and five of the Visitors' Guide.

Campground staff went out of their way to beautify the campground...

...I also suspect one of them rounded up a group of gentlemen to help me set up my tent in the dark and in the rain!

There is a lovely bike path which runs between the colonies. This section includes extensive and beautiful marsh land.