a desirable exploration of a now-lost communal society in the course of the first half the eighteenth century, Pennsylvania grew to become domestic to quite a few German-speaking sectarians who rebelled opposed to the oppression of eu state-church institutions and migrated to the us to shape their very own communions. One such workforce was once the Snow Hill Cloister, which used to be based in 1762 as an try to proceed the monastic, communal way of life practiced at Georg Conrad Beissel’s famed Ephrata Cloister. In an interesting narrative that chronicles with humor and perception her study into this interesting neighborhood of German Seventh-Day Baptists, Denise A. Seachrist tells the tale of Snow Hill—its religious and paintings existence; its song, writings, structure, and crafts culture; and its unhappy dying within the waning days of the 20 th century. A manufactured from in situ fieldwork that explores the locations and personalities in the back of the founding and prosperity and dying of the cloister, Snow Hill is a long-overdue examine of 1 of America’s “experiments” in communal residing. It speaks to a different time and position and stands as a testomony to the idealism of group and the tenaciousness of the human spirit.Those attracted to American spiritual heritage, communal experiences, Pennsylvania German historical past, and ancient upkeep will locate Snow Hill engrossing and informative.“A tremendous fulfillment. in a single quantity, Denise Seachrist has controlled to supply a finished remedy of the Snow Hill Cloister. Her integration of fundamental resource fabrics, firsthand research of structures and fabric tradition, and autobiographical narrative of her interplay with modern members at Snow Hill make for a publication that's attractive and relaxing to read.”—Christian Goodwillie, Coeditor of Millennial Praises: A Shaker Hymnal