The first settlement was made in Wilmot Township in the County of Waterloo, Ontario. It was made by Christian Nafziger of Munich in the Kingdom of Bavaria, Germany. He came by way of Amsterdam, Holland, to New Orleans, and then through the southern states to Lancaster Country, Penn. His friends there advised him to go to Canada where he could find a place to form a colony, and select a tract of land which now comprises Wilmot Township. Governor Maitland (1818 - 1828) consented to sell 150 acres to each family for a small price and to give an additional 50 acres free. He returned to Germany to enlist other families, and in 1826 with his own several others settled on the tract, along with some who had come from Germany and Pennsylvania in the interim...

The East Zorra Congregation was organized about the year 1837 as an offshoot from the Wilmot Congregation, just west of Baden. Other families were added from Pennsylvania and Europe, including: Nicholas Roth, Michael I. Roth, Jacob Schwartzendruber, Peter Zehr, Joseph Roth, Nicholas Schlegel, Josepg Jausie, Georege Helmuth, Jacob Brenneman, Christian Gingrich, Christian Roth, Peter Steinman, Daniel Schragg, Joseph Wutherich, Andrew Otto, John Sommer, Jacob Ingold, Peter Eicher, John Egli, Peter Eiman, Christian Zimmerman, John Schrag, Joseph Baechler, Joseph Schrag. (see Belden Map)

The services in the East Zorra Congregation were held in private homes every two weeks until 1883, when the church house was built. It was 60' x 40', of frame construction. Hitching posts were used till 1891; the first row of sheds for horses have been enlarged, in 1911 and 1920. After the church was built, preaching was held every Sunday. In 1903, a Sunday School was organized and this was alternated with the preaching services. Since 1933 both Sunday School and preaching services are held every Sunday in the forenoon. In 1920 a Young People's Meeting was organized and held on alternate Sunday evenings using the Topic Booklet. Formerly all speaking was in the German language. Since there have been no German schools for some time the young people now use the English more readily; it is increasingly used in the Church work as well. The AUSBUND, UNPARTEIISCHE LIEDERSAMMLUNG, and LIEDER und MELODIEN were used successively in worship. Singing school has been held frequently since about 1914. Valentine Stock, Moses Hunsberger, Titus L. Kolb and Joel Schwartzendruber have been given valuable assistance as teachers. Revival meetings and Bible Conferences while not regular features have frequently been held.

In 1925 the church building was enlarged. An addition, 17' x 40' extension was added to the west. This makes the building 89' x 40' and it can accommodate 800 persons with the increased numbers attending here, there is a growing need for more room. There were 230 persons in 1890; at present there are approximately 640 members; this with the unbaptized children makes a total assembly of about 1000 souls. (1935)

About the year 1859 a small log building was erected in the township of South Easthope on Concession 3 to be used for funeral services. The cemetery was on the opposite side of the road. The Wilmot and Zorra families jointly erected the building. Minister Daniel Schrag conveyed the land. Regular services were never held in this building. It became very much dilapidated and was taken down in 1898. The land reverted to the farm of which it was a part, owned by Chris Baechler. The first session of the Ontario Amish Mennonite Conference was held at the East Zorra church. 16th Line, on June 27, 28, 1918. The second was held in Wellesley in 1923, the third in Poole in 1924 and was met annually since then. In 1925 a constitution was adopted. At present (1935) the five churches, Wilmot, East Zorra, Wellesley, Poole and Hay, which comprise the conference, have a membership of 1, 730.

In the year 1868 land was bought for the first ground for the price if 10 shillings, from Andrea Zehr and the Christian Schwartzentruber estate. The first cemetery trustees were" Daniel Rudy, Jacob M Bender, John Yausey. In 1928 more land was purchased to enlarge the burial ground. It was a narrow strip of land along the south side, from John Schumm for $25. The trustees at this time were: Christian Ruby, John Schumm, John R. Bender. In 1949 more acreage was added along the east side, from Henry Schumm for $20. The trustees this time were: Aaron Ruby, John R. Bender, Henry Schumm.

The 17th Line E.U.B. church was rented for the first time for $30 as the 16th line had become too crowded. Its expenses were $178.29. in 1936 this church was purchased and became known as the Cassel Church. Sunday School began in 1942 in the Library hall. After a few months, the vacant Presbyterian Church (formerly Baptist, later Trinity Lutheran Parish Hall) was taken over for a cost of $8 per month. The Tavistock Church was finally built on the Junction of Wilton and Wettlaufer Streets in 1950 at a cost of $24,700, as compared with $36,000 for the East Zorra edifice. The shed and these two churches were paid for when completed and the Cassel church when taken over. Hillcrest Church was built in 1964 fir $51, 595. Much of this progress has been wrought under Bishop Daniel S. Iutzi and preachers David Schwartzentruber and Daniel Wagler, and Bishop Henry Yantzi.

On May 18, 1964, a meeting was held at the East Zorra Church to finalize plans for the East Zorra congregation to become four separate bodies, namely, East Zorra, Cassel, Tavistock, Hillcrest. All are members of the Western Conference along with Valleyview (London) Poole, Millbank, Wellesley, Zurich, Nairn (Ailsa Craig), Baden (Steinman's).

- data supplied by Peter Z. Bender, Howard Bender.