Catharina's father was a Mennonite preacher and until 1749, she and Christian were Mennonites. However, in 1749, a Moravian preacher was in the vicinity and was invited by Catharina's father to preach in his home. As a result, Christian and Catharina, plus another Blickensdörfer, joined the Moravian church. Along with them, were six or eight other members of the Schürger family and eight members of the Steinman family. The Steinmans are related to the Schürgers. Christian and Catharina remained in the Moravian church and all of their children were baptized and married there. Lititz was founded by the Moravians, along with Bethlehem, Nazareth, and others. The main reason Christian and his family came to America was to live in a Moravian community. (Source: Letter from Mary Mickey, December 7, 1996.)