Claas Epp at Ak Metchet
Mennonite Prophet Claas Epp Awaited Christ at Ak Metchet on March 8, 1889. A Tilted Clock Took the Blame
White robes, outdoor throne, all-day fast. Nightfall brought a reschedule to 1891 — then a claim he was Christ's son.
What was said
“He predicted Christ's return on 8 March 1889.”
— Claas Epp Jr. (Russian Mennonite minister; Great Trek leader) · said 1884 · due March 8, 1889
March 8, 1889 passed at Ak Metchet without a return. Epp blamed a leaning ship's clock, shifted to 1891, then declared himself Christ's son as the flock shrank.
The Story
Claas Epp Jr. marched hundreds of Russian Mennonites toward Central Asia so Christ would have somewhere polite to land. At Ak Metchet near Khiva he got specific: March 8, 1889.
Followers built for refugees, put on white robes, carried an altar outside as a throne, and fasted through the day. Night fell. Epp said the Lord had tarried — then that a ship's clock hanging at an angle had misread 8 and 9 for 9 and 1, so try 1891.
1891 failed too. He reinvented himself as Christ's son. The congregation dwindled; the settlement lasted longer than the prophecy.
Receipts
Wikipedia: predicted Christ's return on 8 March 1889 at Ak Metchet; adjusted to 1891 via leaning clock; later claimed to be Christ's son. Direction/Unger quotes Bartsch on the white-robe vigil and the ship's-clock rationalization. One claim: the March 8, 1889 return (not the trek or 1891 sequel).
- Claas Epp Jr. — Wikipediaaccessed 2026-10-24
- Mennonite Millennial Madness — Walter Unger, Direction 28/2 (Bartsch on the failed day and clock)accessed 2026-10-24
As of Oct 25, 2026
since it didn't happen
Put this counter on your site →