Biographical Sketch

Jacob H. Quiring, minister and teacher, was born on June 10, 1913, in Hepburn, Saskatchewan, to Henry C. Quiring (15 March 1878-14 December 1966) and Maria Nikkel (23 May 1883-28 June 1964).

Jacob grew up on a farm near Dalmeny, Saskatchewan, and was baptized upon confession of faith in Jesus in 1929, joining the Dalmeny Mennonite Brethren Church. While he enjoyed farming life, his passion for Christ and the church was strong. At 15, he preached his first sermon.

He attended Tabor Bible School in Dalmeny (2 years) and Winkler (Manitoba) Bible Institute (5 years). With the recommendation of Dr. A.H. Unruh, he was invited to teach at the Coaldale (Alberta) Bible Institute (1936-1939).

After his first year of teaching, he married Anna Enns (b. 18 January 1914) on June 27, 1937. They adopted two children (Lois and Robert) and then two children (Linda and David) were born to them. Linda died at the age of 29 due to cancer.

After eight years of Bible school teaching, first in Coaldale and then in Dalmeny (1941-1944), Jacob was ordained by the Dalemey MB Church to serve as minister of the gospel. Sensing the need for more formal education, the Quiring family moved to Hillsboro, Kansas, where Jacob completed a BA from Tabor College in 1945.

Jacob joined the faculty at the newly formed Mennonite Brethren Bible College in Winnipeg and served for ten years as instructor, earning a Bachelor of Divinity (now equivalent to MDiv) degree during the summers. He was a “highly-respected college teacher” and was “frequently invited to speak in churches across Canada,” according to David Ewert (“A Tribute to Jacob H. Quiring [1913-2004]” MB Herald [Sept 3, 2004] p. 26).

Following his stint as college instructor, Jacob accepted the pastorate of the Winkler (Manitoba) MB Church, serving for 7 years. Returning to MBBC in 1962 as President, he led the college administration through to the summer of 1966. Then the Bakerview (Abbotsford) MB Church called him to the pastorate, where he served for nine years.

On May 25, 1970, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Wilfred Laurier University.

His wider denominational responsibilities included serving as moderator of the Canadian MB Conference and the British Columbia MB Conference. “At times he was critical of some of the trends and developments in the denomination, but his love for the church never wavered,” says David Ewert (“Quiring, Jacob H. (1913-2004),” Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online [June 2005]).

In retirement, Jake and Annie traveled to Austria, where Jake taught for three terms. He also served in several congregations as an interim minister and into his 80s accepted invitations to preach. They settled in Abbotsford in 1982, after 46 years of public ministry.

Jacob H. Quiring died on July 24, 2004, at the age of ninety-one. Annie died on July 11, 2014, at the age of 100.

According to David Ewert, “Jake was a man of great integrity and honesty. He reflected deeply on the great verities of the Christian faith, and often wrestled with theological questions and even spiritual doubts” (“A Tribute,” p. 27).

In addition to David Ewert’s tribute (MB Herald) and biography (GAMEO), more details of Jacob H. Quiring’s life can be found in his autobiographical writings: Two are better than One (1995) and Nostalgia (1994), both of which are included in the fonds. See below.