Sunnyside Mennonite Church is made up of many different kinds of people who come from different places and life experiences. Some of us have lived in Lancaster County our whole lives; some have lived other places. We are single, married, young, old, rich, poor.  

In our diversity we are united by our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, our hope for salvation and the renewal of all things, and our love for God, each other, and our neighbors. Our practices of gathering, praying, reading scripture, serving, eating together and listening to each other’s stories help us pay attention to God and become more like Jesus. 

As Anabaptists, we proclaim Jesus as the center of our faith, community as the center of our lives, and reconciliation as the center of our work.

Sunnyside is a member of Lancaster Mennonite Conference: a fellowship of Anabaptist churches.

Additional resources: SMC Covenant | Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective | What is an Anabaptist Christian?

One morning in the summer of 1929, while on his daily route of delivering milk to Lancaster, David S. High noticed the community of Sunnyside.  In conversation with community residents he realized the local children had no Sunday School to attend.

Some folks from Willow Street Mennonite and Strasburg Mennonite were feeling a nudge from God to find an area where they could share the gospel.  Brother High recommended they focus on Sunnyside.

Located on the banks of the Conestoga River in Sunnyside, a former dance hall was leased for $5 a month.  It was fitted with benches and stoves and was pleasant in the summer, but very cold in winter.

Sunday School began in January 1930. Prayer meetings were started on Wednesday evenings. Walking conditions were not favorable and often sleds were seen parked outside the meeting hall.  

Because this was during the Great Depression, material needs among the folks at Sunnyside were great during the first years.  Clothing, shoes, and groceries were distributed.  Electric clippers were brought to give free haircuts.  

In June 1933 a committee met at the Sunnyside Mission to discuss building a new meeting space, and selected a nearby lot located in a locust grove.

Groundbreaking for the new building happened in August 1934, and the new building was dedicated in January 1935, with a total cost was $4,057.  3400 hours of free labor were contributions by various churches in Lancaster Conference.  

In 1946, David (Pappy) High was ordained to the ministry.  

In 1960, limited kitchen facilities were added to the building along with some classrooms.  In 1966, a well was drilled and restrooms were installed in the church building. 

A renovation of the church building was initiated in 1972 that included five more classrooms, a new kitchen, and a nursery.  Again, 2000 of hard work were donated by the congregation and the cost was about $41,332.