NOT TO THE STRONG

Composer: Harry Showalter

Showalter, Harry R. (Cressman, Virginia, August 13, 1889--1992). Mennonite. He was from the Old Order horse and buggy church (Mennonite) in Virginia. He remembered the Sunday when the conservatives went to have services at the Bank meetinghouse and found someone had locked the doors. The group of people met under the trees and the ministers preached from the steps of the meetinghouse. The buggies of the older people were brought up close so that the older people could hear. Harry remembered leaning against a tree during the services. Harry was raised in the Harmonia Sacra tradition of music and singing schools. In Ohio the Old Order Pleasant View Mennonite (Wisler) Church, Columbiana, Ohio (Mahoning County), the young people would meet i… Go to person page >

Harmonizer: John J. Overholt

John J. Overholt was born to an Amish family of limited means in the state of Ohio in 1918. As a child he was soon introduced to his father's personal collection of gospel songs and hymns, which was to have a marked influence on his later life. With his twin brother Joe, he early was exposed to the Amish-Mennonite tradition hymn-singing and praising worship. An early career in Christian service led to a two-year period of relief work in the country of Poland following World War II. During that interim he began to gather many European songs and hymns as a personal hobby, not realizing that these selections would become invaluable to The Christian Hymnary which was begun in 1960 and completed twelve years later in 1972, with a compilation… Go to person page >