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Fourth Avenue Bible Church – Niverville, MB

Proper Title

Fourth Avenue Bible Church fonds

Dates of Creation

1933–2015

Physical Description

31 cm of textual records and 1 microfilm reel

Administrative History

The Fourth Avenue Bible Church, previously known as the Niverville Mennonite Brethren Church, began in 1929 when recent Mennonite immigrants from Russia settled in Niverville and organized an official fellowship. At first both Mennonite Brethren and General Conference Mennonite families met together in the Niverville United Church. Later, the group met at the John Friesen home and in the Lutheran church. Teachers assisted with the preaching ministry. In 1937, a lot in town was donated for a church building. The first building was built during the 1940s. In 1970, a new building with a 320 seat capacity was completed.

In 2001, the Niverville Mennonite Brethren Church was renamed Fourth Avenue Bible Church.

The leaders of the church included: Abram J. Janzen (1929–ca.1932), Franz Gunther (ca.1932–1933), Jacob. P. Epp (1934–1937), William W. Dyck (1939–1955), David Dick (1956–1963), Heinrich Regehr (1964), William W. Dyck (1965–1968), Abe Konrad (1973–1984), Victor Toews (1985), Henry Regier (1986–1991), Terry Kaethler (1993), Jake Bergen (Interim Pastor, 1995), Rick McCorkindale (1996-2002), Neil Block (Interim Pastor, 2003), Daniel Williams (2004-2006), Sieg Wall (Interim Pastor, 2007–2010), Abe Klassen (2010– ).

The language of worship is English.  The transition from German occurred in the 1970s.

Scope and Content

This fonds consists of membership records, congregational, christian education and council meeting minutes, financial ledgers, historical information and weekly bulletins.

Custodial History

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

Notes

  • Volume 434, 1260.
  • Formerly classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BC513.
  • Finding aid consists of a series description and a file list.
  • Finding aid for microfilm: R88, pp. 1–482.
  • Microfilm file list adapted from a previous finding aid by Leslie Wiebe June 2003.
  • Description updated by Tamara Dyck, March 2010. Updated by Emma Sorensen June 2018.
  • Acc. No. 2017-18. Two choir songs binders used at the Niverville MB Church from 1920s to 1950s written in German Gothic script using number-notes or Ziffern. Donated by Kathie Neufeld Fast.

Series Descriptions

I. Niverville Mennonite Brethren Church History.
1967, 1974, 1979, 1985.
3 mm of textual material.

  • This series consists of an article from The Canadian Mennonite, some historical sketches, one by Anne Dyck, and a bulletin from 1979 celebrating the 50th anniversary.
  • Finding aid: Volume 434, no. 1.

II. Niverville Mennonite Brethren Church Bulletins.
1981, 1985–1990.
3.5 cm of textual material.

  • This series consists of the weekly bulletins dating from 1981, 1985–1990.
  • Finding aid: Volume 434, no. 2–8.

III. Niverville Mennonite Brethren Church Membership Records.
1933–1979.
5 cm of textual material.  176 pp.; microfilm.

  • This series consists of a church family membership register and a marriage register microfilmed in 1979.
  • Finding aid: R88, pp.1–176; Volume 1260, no. 9-10.

IV. Niverville Mennonite Brethren Church Congregational Meetings.
1953–1979.
2 cm of textual material. 342 pp.; microfilm.

  • This series consists of minutes of membership meetings.
  • Finding aid: R88, pp.177–418; Volume 1260, no. 5.

V. Niverville Mennonite Brethren Church Council Meetings.
1971–1977.
10 cm of textual material. 64 pp.; microfilm.

  • This series consists of minutes of church council meetings.
  • Finding aid: R88, pp. 419–482;  Volume 1260, no. 1-4, 6-7.

 VI. Niverville Mennonite Brethren Church Financial Records.
1953–1966.
2 cm of textual material.

  • This series consists of financial records for the church.
  • Finding aid: Volume 1260, no. 8.

File List

Volume 434

  1. Niverville MB Church History. -- 1967, 1974, 1979, 1985.
  2. Bulletins. -- 1981.
  3. Bulletins. -- 1985.
  4. Bulletins. -- 1986.
  5. Bulletins. -- 1987.
  6. Bulletins. -- 1988.
  7. Bulletins. -- 1989.
  8. Bulletins. -- 1990.
  9. Constitution. -- 1985.
  10. Church directories. -- ca. 1983–1999.
  11. Choir songs. Binder No. 1. -- [192-]–[193-].
  12. Choir songs. Binder No. 2. -- [193-]–[195-].

Volume 1260

  1. Church Council Minutes. Book #4 (#25). -- 1971–1977.
  2. Christian Education Minutes (#26). -- 1975–1978
  3. Church Minutes (#17). -- 1935–1945.
  4. Church Minutes (#9). -- 1946–1953.
  5. Congregational Minutes (#16). -- 1953–1967.
  6. Church Minutes (#6). -- 1967–1968, 1971–1978.
  7. Church Minutes (18). -- 1968–1979.
  8. Ledger (#24). -- 1953–1966.
  9. Familienregester der Mennoniten Brueder Gemeinde um Niverville, MB (#23) -- n.d.
  10. Church Membership and Family Register (#31). -- ca. 1933–1979.
  11. Eighty Years of God's Faithfulness. Correspondence, Meeting Minutes, and Refocusing Materials. -- 2008–2009.
  12. Praise and Prayer Bulletin. -- 2015.

Microfilm file list

Reel 88

  • Church Membership and Family Registers (Book I). – ca.1933–1979. – pp. 1–149.
  • Marriage Register (Book II). – 1970–1979. – pp. 150–176.
  • Congregational Meeting Minutes (Book III). – Sept.1953–Feb.1979. – pp. 177–418.
  • Church Council Meeting Minutes (Book IV). – May 1971–Nov.1977. – pp. 419–482.
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