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Boissevain Mennonite Brethren Church – Boissevain, MB

Proper Title

Boissevain Mennonite Brethren Church fonds

Dates of Creation

1928–2012

Physical Description

13 cm of textual records and 1 microfilm reel

Administrative History

The Boissevain Mennonite Brethren Church was originally called Whitewater MB Church. A group of immigrants from Russia, who settled in southwestern Manitoba, had services in private homes. Soon those homes became too small and the services were moved, in 1925, to a small church in Whitewater. Because of travel difficulties, special occasions such as communion or visiting preachers became all day sessions where people brought their own food and enjoyed the day of fellowship.

In 1930, the congregation began to meet in a school. There was a lot of musical talent in the early years. In 1940, the church in Margaret disbanded and joined the Whitewater MB Church. The congregation was active in supporting refugees during World War II. Church membership increased and a new church site was chosen. The church was officially dedicated to the Lord on November 26, 1944, with the new name Boissevain MB Church. D. D. Doerksen asked to be relieved from leadership in 1957, and A. J. Froese took his place. Another building was built in 1966. In 1972, Peter Klassen became the leader, and, in 1973, Adolph Redekopp became the first full-time pastor.

The leaders of the church include David D. Doerksen (1928–1957), A. J. Froese (1957–1973), Adolph Redekopp (1973–1975), John Klassen (1977–1980), Peter Doerksen (1981), Wally Kroeker (1982–1997), Tom Warner (1997–2004), Wayne Eisbrenner (2005–2011), Geoff Unrau (2012– ).

The language of worship is English.  The transition from German occurred in the 1960s.

Scope and Content

This fonds consists of membership records, congregational and council meeting minutes, Workers Conference of Western Manitoba Reports, historical data, and bulletins.

Custodial History

Some of the records were microfilmed in 1978 through the work of the Historical Commission of the Mennonite Brethren Conference.

Notes

  • Volumes 408, 444.
  • Formerly classified under the Canadian Conference of MB Churches inventory BC502.
  • Finding aid consists of a series description and file list.
  • Finding aid for microfilm: R132, pp. 62–1538.
  • Microfilm file list adapted from a previous finding aid by Leslie Wiebe June 2003. Updated by Kate Woltmann July 16, 2013.

Series Descriptions

I. Boissevain Mennonite Brethren Church history.
1985, 1991.
0.25 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of a history of the church, some information for a historical sketch, a bulletin for a dedication service (April 14, 1991), and a term paper by Sharon Froese, and information of the 50th anniversary.
  • Finding aid: Boissevain Mennonite Brethren Church file list no. 1, 17.

II. Boissevain Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins.
1976–1983, 1989–1992, 1994, 1996–1997, 2011-2012.
12 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of weekly bulletins.
  • Finding aid: Boissevain Mennonite Brethren Church file list no. 2–16.

III. Boissevain Mennonite Brethren Church Membership Records.
ca. 1968–1980.
ca. 260 pp.; microfilm.

  • This series consists of membership records, some which are not dated.
  • Finding aid: R132, pp. ca. 62-ca. 322.

IV. Boissevain Mennonite Brethren Church congregational meetings.
1928–1971.
1095 pp.; microfilm.

  • This series consists of congregational meeting minutes, letters and financial statements, and a General Conference Statistical Report.
  • Finding aid: R132, pp. 323–697, 797–1518.

V. Boissevain Mennonite Brethren Church council meetings.
1973–1979.
98 pp.; microfilm.

  • This series consists of church council meeting minutes.
  • Finding aid: R132, pp. 698–796.

VI. Boissevain Mennonite Brethren Church workers conference of western Manitoba.
1975.
19 pp.; microfilm.

  • This series consists of a report for the Church Workers Conference of Western Manitoba.
  • Finding aid: R132, pp. 1519–1938.

File List

Volume 408

  1. Boissevain Mennonite Brethren Church History. -- 1985–1991.
  2. Bulletins. -- 1976.
  3. Bulletins. -- 1977.
  4. Bulletins. -- 1978.
  5. Bulletins. -- 1979.
  6. Bulletins. -- 1980.
  7. Bulletins. -- 1981.
  8. Bulletins. -- 1982.
  9. Bulletins. -- 1983.
  10. Bulletins. -- 1989.
  11. Bulletins. -- 1990.
  12. Bulletins. -- 1991.
  13. Bulletins. -- 1992.
  14. Bulletins. -- 1994.
  15. Bulletins. -- 1996.
  16. Bulletins. -- 1997.
  17. Boissevain MB Church 50th Anniversary. -- 1979.
  18. Margaret MB Church. -- 1929–1940.
  19. Boissevain Mennonite Brethren Church membership list. -- 1980.
  20. Boissevain Mennonite Brethren Church directory. -- 1975.
  21. Bulletins; June 12 Baptism list & photo. -- 2011–2012.

Volume 444

  1. Bulletins. -- 1998.
  2. Bulletins. -- 1999.
  3. Bulletins. -- 2000.
  4. Bulletins. -- 2001.
  5. Bulletins. -- 2002–2003.
  6. Bulletins; June 12 Baptism list & photo. -- 2011–2012.
  7. Constitution; Refocusing documents, leadership minutes. -- 2008–2011.

Microfilm file list

Reel 132

  • Membership Register. – [19--] (Whitewater). – p.62–113.
  • Membership Register. – [19--]. – p.114–219.
  • Membership Register. – Jan.1968–1980. – p.220–322.
  • Congregational Meeting Minutes. – Jan.21, 1969–Nov.1969. – p.323–340.
  • Congregational Meeting Minutes. – Jan.18, 1971–1979. – p.341–693.
  • Congregational Meeting Minutes. – May 29, 1980. – p.694–697.
  • Church Council Meeting Minutes. – Jan.22, 1973–Dec.17, 1979. – p.698–796.
  • Church Council and Congregational Meeting Minutes, plus Letters and Financial Statements. – Sept.2, 1928–Oct.3, 1946. – p.797–989.
  • Church Council and Congregational Meeting Minutes, plus Letters and Financial Statements. – Oct.6, 1946–Jan.7, 1958. – p.990–1206.
  • Church Council and Congregational Meeting Minutes, plus Letters and Financial Statements. – Jan.14, 1958–Jan.1, 1966. – p.1207–1403.
  • Church Council and Congregational Meeting Minutes, plus Letters and Financial Statements. – Jan.21, 1966–1971. – p.1404–1517.
  • General Conference Statistical Report. – Aug.1977. – p.1518.
  • Workers Conference of Western Manitoba Report. – Mar.8, 1975. – p.1519–1538.
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