John Kreinbill

John Kreinbill A significant church leader very active in the 1850's and 1860's, but who is virtually unknown because none ofhis descendants are in the church today, was John Kreinbill. This name has several variant spellings such as Graybill, Krayenbuhl, and Grabill, etc. He was born in 1803 and died August 14, 1887, at the age of 84. It is interesting to note that he was born in Strasbourg, the city that Froehlich adopted after being deported as a sectarian from Switzerland. By the time Kreinbill left Europe in approximately 1836 (at age 33), the Froehlich movement was in its initial stages. There is no known evidence that suggests these two men were acquainted, although Kreinbill may have known of Froehlich since the latter's reputation as a minister was widely known in various Swiss and German areas. He was married to Jacobena Gehring who was born in approximately 1807 in Alsace, France. She died of a blood clot in 1885. An Immigrant Kreinbill emigrated to America in 1836. He was from a well-known Mennonite family. He and his family first settled in Titusville, PA. He later lived in Ohio, and subsequently moved to Illinois. His first home in Peoria, which he purchased June 11, 1847, was a log cabin at the foot ofMunson and Sanford Streets. There was a cluster oflog cabins at this site, and Kreinbill occupied one of them. He would take his cow up the hill to graze (possibly in the area between Main and High Streets). John Kreinbill is thought to be the first convert ofthe Apostolic Christian Church in Illinois. His conversion was apparently due to the efforts of Benedict Weyeneth. Kreinbill was soon selected as a minister, and by 1852 he held services in the Sommer home across the Illinois River from Peoria on Metamora Road. Although considered for the Eldership, he was never ordained as Elder. Helping Others He was very active in helping establish the new church denomination in America. He traveled by buggy to many areas to spread the gospel. His improvised suitcase was a large handkerchief tied to a stick. He also traveled to Canada to preach and seek converts. A diary entry by his daughter, Catherine Hofstetter, on November 15, 1876, states, "Father starts for Canada from Gridley." An entry of May 5, 1877, says, "Father came home." Thus, it appears the trip to Canada lasted from November to May. Kreinbill is noted, too, for traveling to the east coast and picking up newly-arrived emigrants who had just come from Europe. He helped them adjust to their new country. No doubt he felt inclined to tell them about this new church of which he was a part. Traveled Widely From Peoria, he later moved to Partridge Prairie near Metamora. His daughter's diary indicates he worked diligently in central Illinois, preaching in all ofthe churches which existed at that time. Henry Geistlich, when visiting America in 1866, mentioned in his diary on June 10 (at New Bremen, NY) that he met John Kreinbill from Illinois: "He was on his way to Canada. Earlier he was born in Alsace, but this has been his country for about 30 years. He is now a minister in our church. He is a lovable brother, being a real example to the unbelievers and unfaithful. He offers almost his entire life to the work ofthe Lord." Pulaski, Iowa Kreinbill was instrumental in the formation ofthe Apostolic Christian Church in Pulaski, IA. In the winter of 1864-1865 he traveled from the Peoria, IL, area to Pulaski. Local history has it that he traveled by train to Ottumwa, IA, and walked the remaining 25 miles to Pulaski. He went to the Mennonite Church located about two miles southwest of Pulaski where he conducted a series of meetings. The mode ofbaptism was a major point of discussion. The Mennonites had always baptized by pouring instead of by immersion. Kreinbill emphasized this was inadequate and not patterned after the New Testament example. About half the membership of the Mennonite Church were convinced he was right and followed him. This was the beginning of the Apostolic Christian Church in Pulaski. Wide Influence The May, 1968, issue ofthe Silver Lining indicates that along with Elder Benedict Weyeneth, Kreinbill helped to establish the Mansfield, OH, church early in the decade of 1850. Some historical sources indicate that in 1862 Kreinbill traveled to Butler County, OH, and founded a church. This is the area north of Cincinnati. Today, there is no Apostolic Christian Church in that area. There was, however, an Amish settlement in Butler County as early as the decade ofl830, and perhaps Kreinbill, in his far-flung travels, visited some ofhis former Amish friends in that area and attempted to establish a church. In 1877 Kreinbill published a pamphlet concerning the condition of the church entitled, From the Beginning to the Present as a Voice of Warning and Judgment. It is written in German and is difficult to understand. At the time it was published, he lived at Metamora, IL. In later years he lost his eyesight but continued preaching. He was well versed in the Scriptures and was able to correctly refer to many passages. Those who followed the reading with their own Bibles would testify that his references or quotations were correct. His grandchildren used to lead him around the barnyard and to the well after he lost his sight.

- Perry Klopenstine Silver Lining, August 2002