Michael Wohlfahrt

Michael Wohlfahrt (German pronunciation: [ˈmɪçaeːl ˈvoːlfaːɐ̯t]; 1687–1741), aka Michael Welfare, was a religious leader who assisted Conrad Beissel in leading the Ephrata Community in Pennsylvania. Wohlfahrt was born in Memel in the Duchy of Prussia (now Klaipėda in Lithuania), but emigrated to North America. In 1725, he was baptised by Conrad Beissel, and when the congregation suffered a schism, he strongly supported Beissel. After the foundation of the Ephrata Community in 1732, Wohlfahrt took the name "Brother Agonius" and assisted Beissel in running the community.

Michael Wohlfahrt

Michael Wohlfahrt (German pronunciation: [ˈmɪçaeːl ˈvoːlfaːɐ̯t]; 1687–1741), aka Michael Welfare, was a religious leader who assisted Conrad Beissel in leading the Ephrata Community in Pennsylvania. Wohlfahrt was born in Memel in the Duchy of Prussia (now Klaipėda in Lithuania), but emigrated to North America. In 1725, he was baptised by Conrad Beissel, and when the congregation suffered a schism, he strongly supported Beissel. After the foundation of the Ephrata Community in 1732, Wohlfahrt took the name "Brother Agonius" and assisted Beissel in running the community.