← Back to Institutional Records

Arnaud Mennonite Brethren Church – Arnaud, MB

Proper Title

Arnaud Mennonite Brethren Church fonds

Dates of Creation

1925–1980

Physical Description

35 cm textual records, 1 microfilm reel, and artifacts

Administrative History

The Arnaud Mennonite Brethren Church, located in the Municipality of Franklin, was affiliated with the Manitoba, Canadian, and General Conferences of the Mennonite Brethren Churches. The congregation began its history on June 14, 1925, consisting of 23 members. They originated from the Soviet Union with the founding leader being Abram Peters. They began their services in the United Church building and then later moved into the town hall.

In 1935, the congregation moved into their first permanent building. Operation of the church was paid by the income coming from a piece of land that was farmed by the church members. Church membership reached its peak in the years 1940–1943. Because of fire, they needed to rebuild in 1952. Church membership was 26 in 1965, and because of declining attendance, the church dissolved on April 17, 1980.

The leader of the church include Abram Peters (1925–1927), Abram Nightingale (1927–1933), Henry P. Toews (1933–1948), Isaac Toews (1948–1959), David Thiessen (1959–1967), Edward G. Thiessen (1967–1975), leadership committee – Waldo H. Thiessen, Edward G. Thiessen, and Jake P. Janzen (1975–1976), Edward G. Thiessen (1976–1980).

Scope and Content

This fonds consists of membership records, family and marriage records, baptism, birth, and death records, financial records, congregational minutes, transfer documents, church architectural building plans, and correspondence. Artifacts include a two-hole hole-punch, and official church stamp. Some of these documents are also available on microfilm.

Custodial History

Many of the records were microfilmed in 1978 through the work of the Historical Commission of the Mennonite Brethren Conference. The textual records were brought to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies on March 24, 1981, by Edward G. Thiessen.

Notes

  • Volumes 405–407.
  • Formerly classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BC501.
  • Finding aid consists of a series description and a file list.
  • Finding aid for microfilm: R88, pp. 2059–2421; R89, pp. 1–336.
  • Acc. No. 1981–27.
  • Microfilm file list adapted from a previous finding aid by Leslie Wiebe June 2003.

File List

Volumes 405–407

  1. Congregational Journal. -- 1958–1964.
  2. Annual Statistical Reports for the Canadian Conference of the MB Church. -- 1950–1979.
  3. Birth and Baptism Certificates. -- 1971–1980.
  4. Church Bulletins. -- 1976.
  5. Misc. Statistics. -- 1932–1980.
  6. Sunday School. -- 1961–1975.
  7. Correspondence. -- 1933–1980.
  8. Building Committee. -- 1952.
  9. Sunday School Ledger. -- 1942–1955.
  10. Jugendverein Financial Ledger. -- 1929–1973.
  11. Outgoing Members Register. -- 1933–1980.
  12. Membership Transfer Documents.
  13. Church Cemetery. -- 1936–1967.
  14. Historical Data Part 1, Church Membership and Family Register (1925–1936) and Marriage Register (1927–1935).
  15. Historical Data Part 2, Church Membership and Family Register (1928–1979) and Marriage Register (1937–1977).
  16. Historical Data Part 3 (1925–1964).
  17. Congregational Meeting Minutes. -- 1925–1952.
  18. Congregational Meeting Minutes. -- 1952–1978.
  19. Congregational Meeting Minutes. -- 1942–1952.
  20. Congregational Meeting Minutes. -- 1964–1980.
  21. Marriage Register. -- 1934–1967.
  22. Correspondence. -- 1941–1950.
  23. Correspondence. -- 1951–1953.
  24. Correspondence. -- 1954–1959.
  25. Correspondence. -- 1960.

Microfilm file list

Reel 88

  • Historical Data: Church Chronicle (covering main events) inserted in two church register books and two exercise books (Book I). – ca.1925–July1964. – p.2059–2180.
  • Church Membership, Family, Baptismal and Marriage Registers (Book II). – ca.1925–1937. – p.2181–2259.
  • Church Membership, Family, and (brief) Marriage Registers (Book III). – ca.1928–1979. – p.2260–2322.
  • Congregational Meeting Minutes (Book IV). – June 1925–Nov.1941. – p.2323–2421.

Reel 89

  • Congregational Meeting Minutes (Book IV). – Jan.6, 1942–Nov.1952. – p.1–97.
  • Congregational Meeting Minutes (Book V). – Dec.1952–Dec.1978. – p.98–336.
← Back to Institutional Records