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     The history of the Mennonites of the Allegheny Valley dates back to October 1745, when Jacob Bowman received a land grant in this area. Jacob, who lived in the Pequea Colony in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, was a descendant of Wendell Bowman, a Swiss Mennonite immigrant who came to America in 1707. As a young man, Jacob was known as the "nimrod" of the Pequea Colony. According to local tradition, while searching for a better game and fishing country, an Indian offered to show him a hunting ground to the east of the Pequea Colony. He told Jacob that to be successful in life, he should settle near a stream where the water flows toward the rising sun. Although Jacob's friends strongly advised against following this Indian, Jacob followed him east along Muddy Creek, then north on an Indian path that led from Sinking Spring to the Delaware River. Crossing a hill, he entered a valley called "Olleghany" by the Indians. Here, Jacob settled and enjoyed a friendly relationship with the Indians until his death.

      The Mennonite congregation in the Allegheny Valley was probably organized as early as 1754, meeting in homes for worship. Christian Bowman, Jacob's brother, was the first minister. Later, they met to worship in a log schoolhouse/meetinghouse that formerly stood in the old part of the cemetery at the present Allegheny United Church of Christ. Three denominations used that building at the same time: the Reformed, the Lutherans, and the Mennonites. Later, the Mennonites again met for worship in their homes. One location was a little stone house that stands a short distance south of the present Meetinghouse. In 1855, the Alleghany (early spelling) Mennonite Meetinghouse was built along Horning Road in Brecknock township, Berks County, on land donated by Solomon Weber. Today, this historic sandstone structure is one of the oldest surviving, least altered, and originally furnished Mennonite meetinghouses in the nation. It is an outstanding example of the primitive places of worship used by the early Mennonites. The Bauman-Eshleman Cemetery, located across the road, features gravestones dating back to the mid-1700s.

      The Meetinghouse was used for regular monthly services for many years. However, when the congregation dwindled to nine members, they were assimilated into nearby Mennonite congregations. Regular services at the Meetinghouse were discontinued in 1954. Over the next years, the building was used occasionally for weddings, church youth group events, and song services. A summer Bible school was held on the grounds for many years. Since 1977, an annual historical and inspirational outdoor service has been held on the Meetinghouse grounds in the summer.

     In 1994, the Alleghany Mennonite Historical Association was formed to oversee this property and all programs.

     In 2009, the Alleghany Mennonite Meetinghouse was designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS application explains that "because of the limited alteration to both the exterior and the interior of the building, the property retains the ability to convey the architectural design and construction methods used by the Pennsylvania German Mennonite congregations in the 1850s.