Schwenckfeldians

religion

Also known as: Schwenckfelder Church

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

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The Schwenckfeldians were a Protestant religious group that emerged during the Reformation, led by Kaspar Schwenckfeld von Ossig. Schwenckfeld, a theologian and writer, sought a "Middle Way" between Roman Catholic and Lutheran doctrines, believing both focused too much on external symbols rather than Christ himself.1

Key tenets of the Schwenckfelders included:
* Encouraging laypeople to read the Bible.2
* Advocating for the separation of church and state.2
* Emphasizing a somewhat mystical interpretation of the Christian faith.2

Schwenckfeld's followers formed small spiritual communities, and some of these communities survive today as the Schwenckfelder Church in Pennsylvania. Schwenckfeld himself faced persecution and lived as a fugitive for his beliefs.12

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Christianity
Protestant Christianity
…groups of mystics were the Schwenckfeldians, founded by Kaspar Schwenckfeld, and the Family of Love, founded in Holland by Hendrik Niclaes in about 1540. He later made two trips to England, where his group had its largest following and survived into the 17th century. The religion of the Ranters and…
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…groups of mystics were the Schwenckfeldians, founded by Kaspar Schwenckfeld, and the Family of Love, founded in Holland by Hendrik Niclaes in about 1540. He later made two trips to England, where his group had its largest following and survived into the 17th century. The religion of the Ranters and…
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Kaspar Schwenckfeld von Ossig
…the United States as the Schwenckfelder Church.
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…the United States as the Schwenckfelder Church.
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