Who was Christopher Dock?
An educator who focused on the whole student, Christopher Dock was a compassionate, 18th Century Mennonite school teacher.
He pioneered a shift in the philosophy of teaching by combining academics and faith and emphasizing character-building and discussion—all to encourage a higher standard of learning.
Dock Mennonite Academy continues to teach in the tradition of Christopher Dock.
Dock Mennonite Academy
Teaching in the Tradition of Christopher Dock
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Integration of Academics and Faith
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Community of Learners
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Participation
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Collaboration
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Dock Mennonite Academy
More Historyabout Christopher Dock
The Faithful Schoolmaster of Skippack
- Born in Germany in 1698, Christopher Dock came to America around 1714.
- In 1718, Dock began teaching at an elementary school for Mennonites in Skippack, and later in Germantown and Salford, PA.
- On the walls of Dock’s classrooms were beautifully illustrated manuscripts, which served as models for penmanship. Small examples of the decorated “fraktur” writing were given as rewards to good students.
An example of fraktur artwork (left) next to the diploma that each Dock Mennonite Academy graduate receives- a fraktur design created by Dock graduate Emily Smucker-Beidler ('83).
- In 1750, Dock wrote School Management, one of the earliest essays on education in America.
- Dock wrote at least seven hymns, five of which are in the earliest American Mennonite hymnal.
- In 1771, Dock died on his knees in prayer, some say praying for his students. His grave marker is a simple stone located in the Lower Skippack Mennonite Church cemetery.
HS Bible and Social Studies teacher, Mr. Kirby King, takes students on a local history tour, stopping to see Christopher Dock's grave. Spring 2023.
A Pioneer Day presentation on Anabaptist History and Traditions at Dock Mennonite Academy, Fall 2024.