Henderson Park Gathering Room Opens with Ribbon Cutting

New community space at Mennonite Heritage Park to host traditional Faspa celebration.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 7:51am

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After years of fundraising and planning, the new Gathering Room at the Henderson Mennonite Heritage Park in Kentucky will officially open with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sunday, April 12th. The event will allow attendees to tour the 115-seat facility and enjoy a traditional Faspa, a Mennonite-style afternoon meal of Zweibach, cheese, meat, cake, and coffee.

Why it matters

The Gathering Room represents an important new community asset for the Mennonite community in Henderson, providing a flexible space for meetings, family gatherings, and other events. Its completion was made possible through donations and a grant, demonstrating the community's commitment to preserving its cultural heritage.

The details

The Gathering Room was built on the grounds of the Henderson Mennonite Heritage Park, a local museum and cultural center. The new 115-seat facility can be rented out for a variety of events and activities. The ribbon cutting ceremony on April 12th will give the public their first chance to tour the space and enjoy a traditional Faspa, a Mennonite-style afternoon meal featuring Zweibach (a type of bread), cheese, meat, cake, and coffee.

  • The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Gathering Room will be held on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 4 p.m.
  • Construction on the Gathering Room has been ongoing for several years, funded through donations and a grant.

The players

Henderson Mennonite Heritage Park

A local museum and cultural center in Henderson, Kentucky that preserves the history and traditions of the area's Mennonite community.

Suzanne Ratzlaff

The contact person for renting out the new Gathering Room facility at the Henderson Mennonite Heritage Park.

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What they’re saying

“This new building is the product of donations and a York County Visitors grant.”

— Suzanne Ratzlaff, Contact for Gathering Room rentals

What’s next

The Gathering Room will be available to rent for meetings, family gatherings, parties, and other community events starting after the ribbon cutting ceremony on April 12th.

The takeaway

The opening of the new Gathering Room at the Henderson Mennonite Heritage Park represents an important investment in preserving the cultural traditions and community ties of the local Mennonite population. This flexible event space will serve as a hub for fellowship, education, and celebration for years to come.