Leadership Beginnings

by Allen Viehmeyer

Prior to the mission to convert the Schwenkfelders to Catholicism, those following the teachings of Caspar Schwenckfeld seem not to have had a formal leadership. Beginning in 1726, more and more Schwenkfelders fled from Harpersdorf to Herrnhut on the estate of Count Zinzendorf. For the next 8 years, George Weiss taught a few of the boys Latin and mathematics. When the Schwenkfelders were getting ready to leave Zinzendorf’s estate for Pennsylvania, Weiss was persuaded by his fellow Schwenkfelders to advise and lead the group. Upon landing in Philadelphia, Weiss continued his leadership position by organizing the Day of Thanksgiving and Memorial for those who died during the voyage.