Many Mennonite pioneers who left their homes in Europe in search of a place to live and worship as their non-violent faith directed are buried here. The first families settled in this area in the 1840's, engaging in farming and business. Worship services were held in homes until a church south of Summerfield was built in 1858. This group helped organize the General Conference of the Mennonite Church of North America in 1860. Early Conference missionaries from this church were Samuel and Susan Hirschler Haury, Daniel and Katie Ruth Hirschler, Barbara Baer Voth, and John B. Baer. Conference leaders buried here are Daniel Baer, Daniel Hege, Daniel Hirschler, Jacob E. Krehbiel, Jacob and Maria Leisy, and David Ruth. Some descendants of the early families remained, while others migrated westward. In 1910 the congregation moved to a church in Summerfield, where they met until 1983, then continued meeting in homes.