Central Europe   (p. 6 )

Both the Danube and the Rhine have their sources in the snow-caped Alps in Switzerland. Transportation from this mountainous landlocked country was via river valleys. It comes as no surprise then that the exiled Brethren from Zurich found their way to the cities along these rivers. Augsburg and Strasbourg in particular became significant Anabaptist centres from where many missionaries were sent to the surrounding communities. Many prominent Anabaptist leaders such as Hubmaier, Denk and Hetzer worked in this area.

Michael Sattler had joined the Brethren in Zurich and fled to Strasbourg as an exile. While engaged in organizing the emerging Anabaptist congregations he was arrested at Horb and executed in Rottenburg on Tuesday, May 21, 1527. His wife Margareta was drowned in the Neckar River a few days later.

George Blaurock escaped to Tyrol and served as leader of the Brethren there till he was executed in 1529 in Klausen. He was followed in that position by Jacob Hutter. For a period of time Anabaptists were welcome in southern Moravia. Several thousand Anabaptists moved from Tyrol and Bavaria to Nikolsburg and Austerlitz. The Hutterite Church evolved in that area.