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Last Shakers: A Faith's Fading Echo
15 Mar
Summary
- Only three Shakers remain today in Sabbathday Lake Village, Maine.
- The film 'The Testament of Ann Lee' brought attention but was snubbed.
- Celibacy tenet led to decline, with murder accelerating the fall.
As of 2026, the Shaker movement, once numbering 6,000 members at its mid-19th century peak, has dwindled to just three practitioners. These remaining individuals reside in Sabbathday Lake Village, Maine, a stark contrast to their historical presence across America. The recent film "The Testament of Ann Lee," which chronicles the life of founder Ann Lee, garnered praise for Amanda Seyfried's performance but was surprisingly overlooked for Oscar nominations, sparking fan disappointment.
Ann Lee brought the Shaker movement to the US in 1774, establishing communities known for egalitarianism, pacifism, and communal living. A core tenet of celibacy, intended to maintain spiritual purity, ultimately limited natural growth and contributed to their decline. This decline was further accelerated by dramatic events, including the murder of a prominent leader, Caleb Dyer, in 1863, which impacted community stability and finances.
