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Midtown Church – Vancouver, BC

Proper Title

Midtown Church fonds

Dates of Creation

1967–2020

Physical Description

28.5 cm of textual records and 1 microfilm reel

Administrative History

Midtown Church is a 2021 replant of the Culloden Mennonite Brethren Church, which was a daughter church of the Vancouver Mennonite Brethren Church. Culloden has its roots in 1968, with a building program completed in 1969. The story, however, goes back further to the Vancouver Mennonite Brethren Church. At the close of the 1930s, a group of Mennonite Brethren families and single women living in Vancouver began meeting regularly in rented quarters. On May 30, 1937, the group formally organized as the Vancouver Mennonite Brethren Church, with 37 members.

Because of space problems, the Vancouver MB Church divided and some members started the Culloden Mennonite Brethren Church, which over time became one among several daughter churches initiated by the Vancouver congregation. By the time the Culloden church building was finished in 1969, over three-quarters of the Vancouver MB Church had decided to join the new congregation. The new building was constructed at 6060 Culloden Street.

The church has sustained an international flavour. It has held services in English and German, and has offered its sanctuary for use to a Greek and a Vietnamese congregation. English-as-a-second-language courses have also been part of the church’s ministry.

On July 20, 2020, the church members affirmed a proposal to close Culloden on September 20, 2020, and replant the Midtown Church (Mennonite Brethren) with Norm Funk as lead pastor, building on the 52-year Culloden story. Midtown Church officially began in January 2021. See church website (www.mtownchurch.ca).

The following leaders have served as pastor to the congregation: David B. Wiens (1957–1975), Victor Toews (1976–1984), Rudie Willms (1984–1994), Aldon Loeppky (1996–1999), George Baier (2000), Ted Klassen (2001–2015), Paul Wicki (2016–2020), Norm Funk (2021– ).

The language of worship is English.

Scope and Content

This fonds consists of an historical sketch, church directories, a yearbook, a paper on the life and ministry of Henry G. Classen, bulletins, membership and family registers, and congregational and Church Council meeting minutes.

Notes

  • Volumes 377–378.
  • Finding aid consists of a file list.
  • Formerly classified under the Canadian Conference of MB Churches inventory number BB531, with some material located on microfilm reel 67.
  • Described by Shauna Hudson June 10, 2004. Edited by Donovan Giesbrecht September 16, 2004.
  • No restrictions on access.

File List

Volume 377

  1. Historical sketch of the Vancouver Mennonite Brethren Church. -- 1967–1985.
  2. Church directory 1976–1977. Church directory 1993.
  3. Culloden Mennonite Brethren Church Pictorial Directory. --  [197-?].
  4. “Life and Ministry of Henry G. Classen” paper. -- 1987.
  5. Bulletins. -- 1968.
  6. Bulletins. -- 1969.
  7. Bulletins. -- 1970.
  8. Bulletins. -- 1971.
  9. Bulletins. -- 1972.
  10. Bulletins. -- 1973.
  11. Bulletins. -- 1974.
  12. Bulletins. -- 1975.
  13. Bulletins. -- 1976.
  14. Bulletins. -- 1977.
  15. Bulletins. -- 1978–1979.

Volume 378

  1. Bulletins. -- 1980.
  2. Bulletins. -- 1981.
  3. Bulletins. -- 1982–1983.
  4. Bulletins. -- 1984.
  5. Bulletins. -- 1985.
  6. Bulletins. -- 1986.
  7. Bulletins. -- 1987.
  8. Bulletins. -- 1988.
  9. Bulletins. -- 1989.
  10. Bulletins. -- 1990.
  11. Bulletins. -- 1991.
  12. Bulletins. -- 1992.
  13. Bulletins. -- 1993.
  14. Bulletins. -- 1994.
  15. Bulletins. -- 1995.
  16. Bulletins. -- 1996.
  17. Bulletins. -- 1997.

Microfilm file list

Reel 67

  • Membership register (Book 1). -- p. 1476–1609.
  • Membership register (Book 2). -- p. 1605–1668.
  • Family register, card system. -- p. 1669–2165.
  • [Vancouver?] Congregational meeting minutes. Mar 1937–Jan 1952. -- p. 1212–1610.
  • [Vancouver?] Congregational meeting minutes. Jun 1952–Sep 1958. -- p. 1611–1796.
  • [Vancouver?] Congregational meeting minutes. Sep 1958–Mar 1961. -- p. 1797–1967.
  • [Vancouver?] Congregational meeting minutes. Mar 1961–Jul 1968. -- p. 1968–2290.
  • Congregational meeting minutes. Sep 1968–May 1969. -- p. 2291–2362.
  • Congregational meeting minutes. Jun 1969–Jun 1970. -- p. 2363–2415.
  • Congregational meeting minutes. Jun 1970–May 1971. -- p. 1–53.
  • Congregational meeting minutes. Jun 1971–Jun 1972. -- p. 54–109.
  • Congregational meeting minutes. Jun 1972–May 1973. -- p. 110–171.
  • Congregational meeting minutes. Sep 1973–Apr 1975. -- p. 172–244.
  • Congregational meeting minutes. May 1975–May 1976. -- p. 245–331.
  • Congregational meeting minutes. May 1976–Mar 1977. -- p.  332–411.
  • Congregational meeting minutes. May 1977–May 1978. -- p. 412–510.
  • Church Council meeting minutes. Dec 1954–Nov 1958. -- p. 511–701.
  • Church Council meeting minutes. Jan 1959–Sep 1963. -- p. 702–914.
  • Church Council meeting minutes. Oct 1963–Sep 1968. -- p. 915–1025.
  • Church Council meeting minutes. Sep 1968–Feb 1973. -- p. 1026–1215.
  • Church Council meeting minutes. Apr 1973–May 1975. -- p. 1216–1292.
  • Church Council meeting minutes. Jun 1975–May 1977. -- p. 1293–1402.
  • Church Council meeting minutes. May 1977–May 1978. -- p. 1403–1475.
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