Restigouche Valley Church – Campbellton, NB
Proper Title
Restigouche Valley Church fonds
Dates of Creation
1984–2014
Physical Description
1 cm of textual records
Administrative History
The Restigouche Valley Church in Campbellton, NB, began through the efforts of two Christian couples, Janice & Robert Buhr and Steve & Shirley Gader. The couples moved to Campbellton in the Spring of 1979 to set up a medical practice. They also started hosting Bible studies and coffee fellowship meetings.
In 1983, the Gaders went to Zaire with Mennonite Brethren Missions and Services. With their departure, two new couples came, Paul & April Taillon and Ron & Connie Siemens. Ron and Paul joined the medical practice, and all three couples now combined efforts to establish a fully functioning church.
The congregation was called the Restigouche Valley Church, named after the nearby Restigouche River. Its charting service was held on December 2, 1984, at the town hall. After moving six times in three years, the congregation acquired and renovated a former seafood restaurant in 1988. Youth Mission 100 workers helped with the renovations.
The church served a community made up largely of francophone Acadians and Scottish and Irish Anglophones. It has had a strong relationship with the other Mennonite Brethren churches in Quebec and the Maritimes. Membership has remained under 50 since its inception.
On March 30, 2014, the church held its final service and was officially closed.
The following pastoral staff have served the congregation: Siegfried Wall (1985–1996), Bob Cowan (1996–1997), Bill Jewett (1997–2003), and Joel Gagnon (2003–2104).
Scope and Content
This fonds consists of a photocopy of the Restigouche Valley Church Charting Service advertisement, a three page historical sketch by Robert Buhr (1984), and an article about the church closing in 2014.
Custodial History
It is unclear when the materials were donated to the archives. In January 2016 Ewald Unruh deposited the "towards a biblical Philosphy" article.
Notes
- Finding aid consists of a file list.
- Location: Volume 649.
- Formerly classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory number BG502.
- Related CMBS collections:
- Board of Evangelism fonds, volumes 138–162.
- Peter Penner fonds, volumes 1026–1027.
- Canadian MB Conference Yearbook collection, see: Board of Evangelism reports.
- Finding aid created by Donovan Giesbrecht, 5 June 2006; updated by Jon Isaak, 3 April 2014, and Conrad Stoesz January 11, 2016.
- No restrictions on access.
File List
Volume 649
1. Historical sketch: “Campbellton, New Brunswick – A Unique Experience in Church Planting,” by Robert Buhr. -- 1985.
2. Chartering Service advertisement. -- 1984.
3. Newspaper article chronicling church closure. -- 2014.
4. Towards a biblical Philosophy of Ministry/ Sig Wall. -- [between 1985-1992].