Who was John Kline?

Brethren historian Donald F. Durnbaugh has described John Kline as "Arguably the most beloved personality in Brethren History." Born in Pennsylvania in 1797, John Kline moved at age eleven with his parents to Virginia where they farmed along the west side of Linville Creek. As a young man, Kline married Anna Wampler and purchased a farm on the east side of Linville Creek within what is now the town of Broadway.

John Kline joined the German Baptist Brethren and, in time, advanced from deacon to minister to elder. Elder Kline served the church his adult life without remuneration. He contributed land and money for his congregation to build the Linville Creek Church. He frequently traveled on horseback to western Virginia (now West Virginia) and beyond on lengthy and arduous mission trips, visiting Brethren families, preaching, baptizing, and establishing churches. The folks he visited were delighted to provide hospitality and to hear him preach. Kline also learned herbal medicine so that he could treat the sick using herbs that he gathered. John Kline was a wonderful counselor and an effective evangelist.

During the Civil War, John Kline dutifully gained permission from officers in the Northern and Southern armies to enable him to travel across military lines. Thus, during that perilous time, he continued to travel on horseback to visit Brethren families in the North and the South. During his ministry, he rode horseback an estimated 100,000 miles. He corresponded with the Governor of Virginia and other officials on behalf of Brethren and Mennonite men who were opposed to serving in the military. At one point, he was even arrested and jailed for his opposition to the war and his support of Anabaptists who opposed it. John Kline was also opposed to slavery and spoke out against it.

Elder John Kline was so loved and respected by the Brethren that he was chosen four times to serve as moderator of annual meeting at the time of the Civil War (1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864). The last three of those meetings were held in the North, and, even though he was from Virginia, while the war was raging, Elder Kline attended and presided. He constantly worked to preserve the unity of the brotherhood and the Brethren did not divide as many denominations did in that period. Because Elder Kline was completely dedicated to serving Christ and the church, he refused to heed warnings of danger for his life. As he neared his home following the 1864 annual meeting at the Nettle Creek Church in Indiana, he was shot by ardent confederates. Even while knowing the dangers that surrounded him, he steadfastly determined to follow his calling to serve his Lord and his church.

It is important that Brethren of the 21st century pass John Kline's legacy on to future generations. Preserving his homestead would be an effective means of doing that.

More information

Funk, B., Life of John Kline 1797-1864, 1900.

Nair, C.E., John Kline Among His Brethren or How He Filled His Place, 1997

Papers from the Elder John Kline Bicentennial Celebration, 1997.

Sappington, R. E., Courageous Prophet, 1964

John Kline Contributions to the Church.

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The Homestead./ Board of Directors /Progress of Project/ How you can help/ John Kline Memento Sales

Church of the Brethren Shenendoah District/ Brethren Encyclopedia / CrossRoads Valley Heritage Center