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Central Mennonite Brethren Church – Saskatoon, SK

Proper Title

Central Mennonite Brethren Church fonds

Dates of Creation

1920–1993

Physical Description

87 cm of textual records and 2 reels of microfilm

Administrative History

The Central MB Church located in Saskatoon was a member of the Canadian Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Churches. In 1927, members gathered for worship under the leadership of Peter Funk. As more Mennonite Brethren moved into the city, a congregation was organized under the leadership of Gerhard Penner. The church was accepted into the conference in 1932.

A meeting place was built on the corner of Avenue and 25th Street West in 1935, and H.S. Rempel became the leader of the city mission and this congregation. In 1954, a new church building was erected on the corner of 33rd Street West and Avenue North with a seating capacity of 500. The membership at the time was 278.

On June 20, 1993, Central Mennonite Brethren Church closed.

Leaders have been G.H. Penner (1932–1934), Peter Funk (1934–1936, 1949–1951), H.S. Rempel (1936–1944), H.H. Epp (1946), P.J. Harder (1947–1949), Art Martens (1952–1956), George L. Braun (1957–1962), Eugene Gerbrandt (1962–1968), Henry J. Harder (1968–1973), Harold Block (1985?–1988), Dallas Clausen (1988) and Arnie Fehderau (1989–1993).

Note: In 1994, a new church was reconstituted within the same building of the former Central MB Church. It is called Hope Fellowship Church.

Scope and Content

This fonds consists of the following series: Membership records; yearbooks and reports; minutes of congregational meetings; minutes of church council; Ladies Aid minutes and finances; and historical records.

Custodial History

Many of the records were microfilmed in 1978 through the work of the Historical Commission of the Mennonite Brethren Conference. Most of the yearbooks and, reports and weekly bulletins were collected at Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies before 1993. A few more items were added from the Bethany Bible School archives. In 2003 the Ladies Aid materials were deposited by Helga Loewen. In the Fall of 2013, Conference Mnister Ralph Gliege donated multiple boxes of documents relating to the Saskatchewan MB Conference. Among this material was the original Membership and Family records books of Central MB Church, beginning in 1909. Ralph himself updated the membership records, so that they were as up to date as possible.

Notes

  • Location: Volumes 625-626, 1132, 1170-1172.
  • Finding aid consists of a series description and a file list.
  • Formerly  classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF526.
  • Finding aid for microfilm: R6, pp. 634–2009; R7, pp. 1–287, 671–860.
  • Microfilm file list adapted from a previous finding aid by Leslie Wiebe, June 2003.
  • Finding aid updated by Conrad Stoesz, October 21, 2003. Finding aid updated by Janelle Hume, July 24, 2006; updated by Kate Woltmann, October 2013.
  • No restrictions on access.
  • Language: German and English.
  • Accession number: 2003-037; 2004-014; 2013-22.

Series Descriptions

I. Central Mennonite Brethren Church membership records.
1909–2013.
113 pp.; microfilm, 27.5 cm textual records.

  • Membership record Book IA and Book IB, available on microfilm and text (1909–2013). Member files containing marriage records, funerals, family records etc.
  • Finding aid: Volume 1132 files 1-4, Volume 1170 files 1–154,  microfilm R6, pp. 634–747.

II. Central Mennonite Brethren Church yearbooks and reports.
1978–1992.
359 pp.; microfilm, 3 cm of textual records.

  • Yearbooks and reports, 1936–1962 (excluding 1945), available on microfilm. Visitor guest book, 1973–1992 and proposed constitution, [196?].
  • Finding aid: Volume 1170 file 156 and Volume 1171 file 11, microfilm R6, pp. 1937–2009 and R7, pp. 1–287.

III. Central Mennonite Brethren Church minutes of congregational meetings.
1978.
1028 pp.; microfilm.

  • Minutes of the congregation from 1947 to 1978, available on microfilm only.
  • Finding aid: Microfilm R6, pp. 748–1670; R7, pp. 671–777.

IV. Central Mennonite Brethren Church Council minutes.
1956–1984.
614 pp.; microfilm and 10 cm of textual records.

  • Minutes of the Church Council from 1956 to 1984, some documents available on microfilm and original copy.
  • Finding aid: Volume 1172 file 1–6, microfilm R6, pp. 963–1230 and 1671–1936; R7, pp. 778–860.

V. Central Mennonite Brethren Church Congregational minutes and Yearbooks.
1931–1983.
8 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of congregational minutes (1931–1934) in the German Gothic script, an incomplete set of annual yearbooks in German between 1936 and 1955, and annual reports in English for 1959 and 1962. Congregational Minutes. – 1968–1974 (microfilmed)
  • Finding aid: Volume 1171, files 2, 5 and 10.

VI. Central Mennonite Brethren Church Bulletins.
1968–1993.
17 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of church bulletins showing the week to week activities of the church.

VII. Ladies Aid Minutes and Finances.
1971–1991.
7 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of Ladies Aid meeting minutes, attendance records and finances showing the activities of the group. Financial records / balances. – 1960–1961, 1976–1991
  • Finding aid: Volume 1171 file 1. and Volume 626 files 39–43.

VIII. Central Mennonite Brethren Church Business Meeting minutes.
1982–1993.
17 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of minutes from the church business meetings from 1982–1993.
  • Finding aid: Volume 1171 files 6–9.

IX. Central Mennonite Brethren Church Various Committees. – 1960–1993.
12 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of minutes from the Woman’s missionary Prayer board, 1960–1987, the elders meeting minutes, 1986–1993, and Gospel tiding records, 1968–1976.
  • Finding aid: Volume 1171 file 3–4 and Volume 1170 file 155.

File List

Volume 625
1. Historical notes, dedication bulletin, and newspaper clippings. -- 1966, 1973, [198-?].
2. Protokollbuch, congregational minutes. -- 1931–1934 .
3. Booklet: Jahresbericht (two copies). -- 1936.
4. Booklet: Jahresbericht (three copies). -- 1937.
5. Booklet: Jahresbericht (two copies). -- 1938.
6. Booklet: Jahresbericht (two copies). -- 1939.
7. Booklet: Jahresbericht (two copies). -- 1940.
8. Booklet: Jahresbericht (three copies). -- 1941.
9. Booklet: Jahresbericht. -- 1942.
10. Booklet: Jahresbericht (two copies). -- 1943.
11. Booklet: Jahresbericht. -- 1944.
12. Booklet: Jahresbericht. -- 1946.
13. Booklet: Jahresbericht (two copies). -- 1947.
14. Booklet: Jahresbericht. -- 1948.
15. Booklet: Jahresbericht. -- 1949.
16. Booklet: Jahresbericht (two copies). -- 1950.
17. Booklet: Jahresbericht. -- 1951.
18. Booklet: Annual Report. -- 1955.
19. Booklet: Annual Report. -- 1959.
20. Booklet: Annual Report. -- 1960.
21. Booklet: Annual Report. -- 1961.
22. Booklet: Annual Report. -- 1962.
23. Booklet: Annual Report and Directory. -- 1963.
24. Booklet: Directory. -- 1965.
25. Booklet: Directory. -- 1966.
26. Booklet: Directory. -- 1967.
27. Booklet: Directory (two copies). -- 1968.
28. Booklet: Directory (two copies). -- 1969.
29. Booklet: Directory (two copies). -- 1970.
30. Booklet: Directory (three copies). -- 1971.
31. Booklet: Directory (two copies). -- 1972.
32. Booklet: Directory (two copies). -- 1974.
33. Booklet: Directory (two copies). -- 1975.
34. Booklet: Directory (two copies). -- 1976.
35. Booklet: Directory (two copies). -- 1977.
36. Booklet: Directory (two copies). -- 1978.
37. Booklet: Directory (two copies). -- 1979.
38. Booklet: Directory (two copies). -- 1979–1980.
39. Booklet: Directory (two copies). -- 1980–1981.
40. Booklet: Directory (two copies). -- 1981–1982.
41. Booklet: Directory (two copies). -- 1982–1983.
42. Booklet: Directory (two copies). -- 1983–1984.
43. Booklet: Telephone Directory. -- 1985.
44. Booklet: Ministry Directory. -- 1986.
45. Booklet: Telephone Directory (two copies). -- 1988.
46. Booklet: Telephone Directory (two copies). -- 1990.
47. Booklet: Telephone Directory (two copies). -- 1992.
48. Booklet: Telephone Directory (two copies). -- 1993.
49. Booklet: Membership. -- 1954.
50. Booklet: Membership. -- 1955.
51. Booklet: Pictorial Church Directory (two copies). --  [198-?].
52. Booklet: Pictorial Church Directory. -- 1986.
53. Booklet: Pictorial Church Directory. -- 1989.
54. Booklet: Constitution of the Central Mennonite Brethren Church (two copies). -- 1970.
55. Booklet: Gospel Tidings: 15th Anniversary. -- 1940–1955.

Volume 626

1. Bulletins. -- 1958, 1963.
2. Bulletins. -- 1967.
3. Bulletins. -- 1968.
4. Bulletins. -- 1969.
5. Bulletins. -- 1970.
6. Bulletins. -- 1971.
7. Bulletins. -- 1972.
8. Bulletins. -- 1973.
9. Bulletins. -- 1974.
10. Bulletins. -- 1975.
11. Bulletins. -- 1976.
12. Bulletins. -- 1977.
13. Bulletins. -- 1978.
14. Bulletins. -- 1979.
15. Bulletins. -- 1980.
16. Bulletins. -- 1981.
17. Bulletins. -- 1982.
18. Bulletins. -- 1983.
19. Bulletins. -- 1984.
20. Bulletins. -- 1985.
21. Bulletins. -- 1986.
22. Bulletins. -- 1987.
23. Bulletins. -- 1988.
24. Bulletins. -- 1989.
25. Bulletins. -- 1990.
26. Bulletins. -- 1991.
27. Bulletins. -- 1992.
28. Bulletins. -- 1993.
29. Congregational minutes (Book 2). -- 1947–1955.
30. Congregational minutes (Book 3). -- 1955–1963.
31. Congregational minutes. -- 1963.
32. Congregational minutes. -- 1964.
33. Congregational minutes. -- 1965.
34. Congregational minutes. -- 1966.
35. Congregational minutes. -- 1967.
36. German hymns (without notes). -- [198-?].
37. Annual Statistics Report. -- 1956–1992.
38. Church Statistics. -- 1978–1980.
39. Ladies Aid minutes and attendance (German). -- 1970–1972.
40. Ladies Aid minutes and attendance. -- 1973–1975.
41. Ladies Aid minutes and attendance. -- 1976–1978.
42. Ladies Aid minutes and attendance. -- 1979–1981.
43. Ladies Aid financial records. -- 1973–1986.

Volume 1132

1. Membership: Book 1A. -- 1909-[195?].
2. Membership: Book 1B Part 1. -- [193?]-2013.
3. Membership: Book 1B Part 2. -- [193?]-2013.
4. Membership: Book 1B Part 3. -- [193?]-2013.

Volume 1170

1. Membership records. -- 1920–1939.
2. Membership records. -- 1940–1949.
3. Membership records. -- 1950–1959.
4. Membership records. -- 1960–1969.
5. Membership records. -- 1970–1979.
6. Marriage records. -- 1973–1983.
7. Funerals (inactive). -- 1968–1979, 1988.
8. Family Registers. -- [197?].
9–154. Member files arranged alphabetically. -- [1952–1993?].
155. Woman’s Missionary Prayer board minutes. -- 1960–1987.
156. Visitors guest book. -- 1973–1992.

Volume 1171

1. Financial records / balances. -- 1960–1961, 1976–1991.
2. Annual Reports. -- 1964–1983.
3. Elders Meeting Minutes. -- 1986–1993.
4. Gospel Tidings. -- 1968–1976.
5. Annual Business meeting. -- 1976–1983.
6. Business Meeting. -- 1982–1983.
7. Business Meeting. -- 1977–1981.
8. Business Meeting. -- 1984–1991.
9. Business Meeting. -- 1990–1993.
10. Congregational Minutes (microfilmed). -- 1968–1974.
11. Proposed Constitution. -- [196?].
12. Church Minutes. -- 1984–1989.

Volume 1172
1. Minutes: council and advisory board (microfilmed). -- 1964–1976.
2. Minutes: church council, pastoral council and advisory board (microfilmed). -- 1964–1973.
3. Council Meeting. -- 1976–1984.
4. Council Meeting. -- 1982–1984.
5. Council Meeting. -- 1977–1981.
6. Book 4: Church Council. -- 1956–1964.

Microfilm file list

Reel 6

  • Church Register (Book Ia). ca 1937–1978, pp 634–720.
  • Church Register (Book Ib). [19--]–1978, pp 721–747.
  • Yearbooks and Reports (Book IXa). 1936–1939, 1937–2009.
  • Congregational Meeting Minutes (Book II). Mar 1947–Jun 1955, pp 748–850.
  • Congregational Meeting Minutes (Book III). Aug 1955–Sep 1963, pp 851–962.
  • Congregational Meeting Minutes (Book VII). Oct 1963–Dec 1976, pp 1336–1670.
  • Congregational Meeting Reports (Book VI). 1966–1969, pp 1231–1335.
  • Church Council Meeting Minutes (Book IV). Sep 1956–Jan 1964, pp 963–1049.
  • Church Council, Pastoral Council, Advisory Board Minutes (Book V). Feb 1964–Sep 1973, pp 1050–1230.
  • Church Council & Advisory Board Minutes (Book VIII). Jan 1964–Dec 1976, pp 1671–1936.

Reel 7

  • Yearbooks and Reports (Book IXb). 1940–1962, excluding 1945, pp 1–287.
  • Congregational Meeting Minutes (Book X). 1976–May 1978, pp 671–777.
  • Church Council Meeting Minutes (Book XI). Jan 1977–May 1978, pp 778–860.

Photograph file list

NP170-01:1 Central MB Church Building.
This is a photo from the side of the church building.
25x18 cm [b&w] [1988?]

NP170-01:2 Inside of Central MB Church.
This photo is of the inside of the first church building.
25x20 cm [b&w] [197?]

NP170-01:3 Brotherhood event.
This is a photo of Rev. Walter Boldt, Albert H. Krolik, Rev. Henry J. Harder, Dr. George Liban, Dr. Roy Gustafson and Rabbi Saul M. Diament.
24x19 cm [b&w] 1971

NP170-01:4 Front of Central MB Church.
This is a photo of the church building exterior.
25x20 cm [b&w] [197?]

NP170-01:5 Pastor Arnie Fehderau.
This is a photo of the pastor of the church during 1989–1992.
5x7 cm [col.] 1989

NP170-01:6 Church Elders and Wives.
This is a photo of Peter & Audrey Siemens, Otto & Linda Driedger, Henry & Susan Block, Don & Dolores Toews, Don & Agnes Wiebe, and Arnie & Karin Fehderau.
11x7 cm [b&w] [1989?]

NP170-01:7 Inside of the Central MB Church Building.
This is a smaller version of NP170-02.
16x11 cm [b&w] [197?]

NP170-01:8 Inside of the Central MB Church Building.
This is a smaller version in color from the photo NP170-02.
17x12 cm [col.] [197?]

NP170-01:9 Central MB Church Building.
This is a photo of the newer Central MB Church Building.
18x13 cm [col.] [198?]

NP170-01:10 Outside close-up of the Central MB Church Building.
This is a photo of the newer Central MB Church at 809 32nd St. West.
18x13 cm [col.] [198?]

NP170-01:11 Gospel Tidings Radio Choir.
This is a group photo of the Gospel Tidings Radio Choir.
25x20 cm [b&w] [197?]

NP170-01:12 Gospel Tidings Radio Choir.
This is a group photo of the Gospel Tidings Choir.
25x20 cm[b&w] [197?]

NP170-01:13 Construction of the Central MB Church Building.
This is a photo showing the church construction and the moving of the church building.
11x9 cm [col.]

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