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Brooklands Community Church of the Mennonite Brethren – Winnipeg, MB

Proper Title

Brooklands Community Church of the Mennonite Brethren fonds

Dates of Creation

1957–1999

Physical Description

1.7 m of textual records, 45 photographs, 90 minutes of sound recordings and 3 computer diskettes, and microfilm

Administrative History

In the 1950s, members from the South End MB Church conducted a mission Sunday school in the Brooklands area. In 1957, the Home Missions Committee of the Manitoba Mennonite Brethren Church assumed responsibility for this work. In 1963, this committee appointed Abe and Anne Quiring as home missions workers for this mission.

On April 26, 1964, while meeting in the Butterworth school auditorium, the church was organized with 12 charter members. A building was built at 44 Tentler Street, and, on September 19, 1965, a dedication service was held for this place of worship. Initially, the church was named the Brooklands Mennonite Brethren Church. In 1966, it was agreed that the name should be Brooklands Community Church of the Mennonite Brethren (see Church Board minutes, Nov. 23, 1966). The building was enlarged in 1983.

Pastors of the the church were Abe Quiring (1964–1975), Don Enns (1977–1984), Neil Block (1985–1991), and Will Feldbusch (1993–1996).

The church had a strong Sunday school program, operated a Vacation Bible School for a number of years, and several other outreach programs such as the Mom’s program.

Membership reached a high of 116 in 1992. The final service (closing celebration) was held on June 22, 1997.

The language of worship is English.

Scope and Content

This fonds consists of the following series: Historical information and special events items, Constitutions, Church board meeting minutes, Membership meeting minutes, Board of Trustees records, annual reports, Ministers’ & deacons committee minutes, statistics, Ladies’ Fellowship records, Membership records, Christian Education records, Outreach programs, Correspondence, Directories, miscellaneous administrative files, weekly bulletins, financial records and photographs. One reel to reel tape of the 1965 dedication service and 3 computer diskettes were also deposited and are housed after the last file in the collection.

Custodial History

Most of the records were transferred to the Centre for MB Studies archives in Winnipeg by Karen Boese, church secretary in charge of preparing the records held at the church, and Frank Kasdorf, chair of the Finance committee. The church records were microfilmed in 1979 by the Centre for MB Studies and a separate listing prepared.  The last tax return was submitted in 2010 by Susan Schmidt.

Notes

  • Volumes 455, 458–462.
  • Finding aid consists of series descriptions and a file list.
  • Acc. no. 1997–043, 1997–052, 2000-039, 2005-022, 2010-19.
  • Some restrictions on access apply.
  • Formerly classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches as BC520.
  • Described by Alf Redekopp, updated by Conrad Stoesz July 5, 2005. Microfilm file list adapted from a previous finding aid by Leslie Wiebe June 2003. Updated by Tamara Dyck Oct 6, 2010.

Series Descriptions

I. Brooklands Community Church Historical information and special events.
1965, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1987.
1 cm of textual records.

  • This series includes items from the 1965 dedication service of the building, clippings from the farewell of the first pastor and the welcoming of the the second pastor, historical information collected in 1979 in conjunction with the microfilming project, information on the 1982 building expansion and a history of the church written by MBCI Grade 7 student Jonathan Kroeker in 1987.
  • Finding aid: Brooklands Community Church file list no. 1.

II. Brooklands Community Church constitutions.
1971–1991.
1 cm of textual records, 32pp.; microfilm.

  • This series consists of original constitution, minutes of a committee working at revisions in 1971 and 1983, as well as copies of the revised and reprinted constitutions from 1971, 1975, 1977, 1983, 1989 and 1991.
  • Finding aid: Brooklands Community Church file list no. 2.

III. Brooklands Community Church board meeting minutes.
1962–1997.
10 cm of textual records, 85 pp.; microfilm.

  • This series consists of a notebook containing the minutes of the “church committee” for 1962–1965 which pre-dates the official chartering meeting, and the minutes of the church board from 1965–1997.
  • Finding aid: Brooklands Community Church file list no. 3–9.

IV. Brooklands Community Church membership meeting minutes.
1965–1997.
10 cm of textual records, 238pp.; microfilm.

  • This series consists of the minutes and reports pertaining to the membership meetings. The final file documents the events surrounding the closing of this church. The final worship service was held on June 22, 1997.
  • Finding aid: Brooklands Community Church file list no. 10–14.

V. Brooklands Community Church Board of Trustees records.
1973–1977.
1 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of a file of minutes for the management committee 1973–1977 and a file of minutes for the program planning committee 1977–1978.
  • Title based on series title assigned from the 1979 microfilming project.
  • Finding aid: Brooklands Community Church file list no. 15–16.

VI. Brooklands Community Church annual reports.
1986–1996.
3 cm of textual records.

  • This series consist of the reports prepared by the various program committees presented at the annual membership meetings.
  • Finding aid: Brooklands Community Church file list no. 17.

VII. Brooklands Community Church ministers and deacons minutes.
1985–1994.
2 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of the minutes documenting the activities of the ministers and deacons committee. After September 1990 the committee was known as the “Care group council”.
  • Finding aid: Brooklands Community Church file list no. 18.

VIII. Brooklands Community Church statistics.
1964–1997.
3 cm of textual records, 6 pp.; microfilm.

  • This series consists the annual statistical reports submitted to the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches which included information on membership changes, program involvement and finances. This series also contains a file documenting Sunday worship attendance from 1979–1997.
  • Finding aid: Brooklands Community Church file list no. 20–22.

IX. Brooklands Community Church Ladies Fellowship.
1969, 1980–1997.
10 cm of textual records.

  • This series contains minutes of the executive meetings and the regular meetings. There are financial records, correspondence and a constitution.
  • Finding aid: Brooklands Community Church file list no. 23–27.

X. Brooklands Community Church membership and family records.
1964–1999.
21 cm of textual records.

  • This series contains the church membership register, 3 booklets used for issuing certificates of baptism, marriage and membership, a file with the birthday and anniversary dates of the members and adherents in 1997, and a sub-series of files on each person who transferred their membership in or out of this church.
  • Finding aid: Brooklands Community Church file list no. 28–154, 268, 269.
  • Restrictions: files 33 to 154 are restricted to limited access.

XI. Brooklands Community Church Christian Education records.
1957–1997.
20 cm of textual records, 52 pp.; microfilm.

  • This series consists of Sunday school teachers’ meeting minutes, Sunday School attendance records, Vacation Bible School and Child Evangelism files, Pioneer clubs records, minutes of the Outreach committee (1986–1992) and other programs and events such as the Mom’s Program, Brookslands/Weston support services and church retreats.
  • Finding aid: Brooklands Community Church file list no. 155–200.

XII. Brooklands Community Church correspondence.
1961–1996.
4 cm of textual records.

  • This series contains early correspondence pertaining to the use of the Butterworth school, correspondence related to the construction of the building including plans for the furnishing, correspondence with the Manitoba Conference Home Missions Committee, and correspondence received and sent by the Pastor.
  • Finding aid: Brooklands Community Church file list no. 201–205.

XIII. Brooklands Community Church directories.
1967–1997.
1 cm of textual records.

  • This series contains telephone directories which were produced annually for members and adherents as well as the pictorial directories for 1989 and 1994.
  • Finding aid: Brooklands Community Church file list no. 206, 218, 219

XIV. Brooklands Community Church miscellaneous administrative files.
1968, 1989, 1993.
2 cm of textual records.

  • This series contains a file related to the 25th Anniversary Celebration, Church evaluations, publicity, goals and church rentals.
  • Finding aid: Brooklands Community Church file list no. 19, 207–211.

XV. Brooklands Community Church guest books.
1966–1997.
8 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of six books in which visitors to the church signed their name.
  • Finding aid: Brooklands Community Church file list no. 212–217.

XVI. Brooklands Community Church financial records.
1963–1999.
20 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of financial ledgers and annual financial statements.
  • Finding aid: Brooklands Community Church file list no. 220–232.

XVII. Brooklands Community Church Sunday bulletins.
1965–1997.
30 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of the weekly bulletins which contained the order of the worship service and the announcements for the week.
  • Finding aid: Brooklands Community Church file list no. 233–265.

XVIII. Brooklands Community Church photograph collection.
ca.1965–199-?
45 photographs.

  • These photographs show the building exterior, new members joining, the pastor, building construction in 1982 and a youth retreat from the 1990s.
  • Finding aid: NP 134.

XIX. Brooklands Community Church dedication service.
1965.
90 minutes of sound recording : 3 3/4 ips reel to reel tape, ca.10 pp.; microfilm.

  • This item is a sound recording of the service for the building dedication which occurred on September 19, 1965. The dedicatory message was by Rev. Victor Adrian and prayers were said by Rev. H.R. Baerg and Rev. Adrian.
  • Title is based on the box label.
  • Finding aid: Brooklands Community Church file list no. 266

File List

Volume 455
1. History, Dedication Service (1965), Farewell (1976) & other special events. -- 1965, 1976.
2. Constitutions. -- 1971–1991.
3. Church committee minutes. -- 1962–1965.
4. Church Board meetings. -- 1965–1975.
5. Church Board meetings. -- 1976–1978.
6. Church Board meetings. -- 1979–1983.
7. Church Board meetings. -- 1984–1989.
8. Church Board meetings. -- 1990–1992.
9. Church Board meetings. -- 1993–1997.
10. Membership meetings. -- 1965–1975.
11. Membership meetings. -- 1976–1979.
12. Membership meetings. -- 1980–1983.
13. Membership meetings. -- 1984–1996.
14. Closing file. -- 1997.
15. Management committee minutes. -- 1973, 1976–1977.
16. Program Planning minutes . -- 1977–1978.
17. Annual church reports. -- 1986–1996.
18. Ministers and deacons minutes. -- 1985–1994.
19. 25th anniversary file. -- 1988–1989.
20. Statistical reports. -- 1965–1978.
21. Statistical reports. -- 1979–1994.
22. Morning service attendance records. -- 1979–1997.
23. Ladies Fellowship executive meetings. -- 1986–1989.
24. Ladies Fellowship Budget reports. -- 1969, 1986–1988.
25. Ladies Fellowship. -- 1980–1989.
26. Ladies Fellowship. -- 1989–1994.
27. Ladies Fellowship. -- 1994–1997.
28. Book: Certificate of Baptism issued. -- 1977–1988, 1997.
29. Book: Certificate of Marriage issued . -- 1986–1996.
30. Book: Certificate of Membership issued. -- 1991–1997.
31. Birthdays & anniversaries. -- 1997.
32. Church Membership register. -- 1964–1997.

Volume 458
33. to 154. Member files.

Volume 459
155. Sunday School attendance records including some minutes. -- 1957–1958.
156. Sunday School attendance records including some minutes. -- 1958–1959.
157. Sunday School attendance records including some minutes. -- 1960–1961.
158. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1961–1962.
159. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1961–1962.
160. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1962–1963.
161. Sunday School attendance records including some minutes. -- 1962–1963.
162. Sunday School attendance records including some minutes. -- 1963–1964.
163. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1964–1965.
164. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1965–1966.
165. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1966–1967.
166. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1967–1968.
167. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1968–1969.
168. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1969–1970.
169. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1970–1971.
170. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1971–1972.
171. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1972–1973.
172. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1973–1974.
173. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1974–1975.
174. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1975–1976.
175. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1976–1977.
176. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1977–1978.
177. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1978–1979.
178. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1980–1981.
179. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1981.
180. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1982–1983.
181. Sunday School attendance records. -- 1984–1997.
182. Sunday School teachers meetings minutes. -- 1963–1979.
183. Sunday School teachers meetings minutes. -- 1980–1996
184. Pioneer clubs. -- 1983–1984.
185. Mom’s Program. -- 1987–1988.
186. Youth Program. -- 1990–1992.
187. Community outreach. -- 1986–1992.
188. Brooklands/Weston “support services”.
189. Church retreats. -- 1974–1990.
190. Vacation Bible School. -- 1964.
191. Vacation Bible School. -- 1965.
192. Vacation Bible School. -- 1966.
193. Vacation Bible School. -- 1967.
194. Vacation Bible School. -- 1968.
195. Vacation Bible School. -- 1969.
196. Child Evangelism Fellowship. -- 1971.
197. Vacation Bible School. -- 1972.
198. Child Evangelism Fellowship. -- 1974–1975.
199. Child Evangelism Fellowship. -- 1976.
200. Vacation Bible School. -- 1987.
201. Correspondence. -- 1961–1965.
202. Correspondence. -- 1966–1970.
203. Correspondence. -- 1971–1976.
204. Correspondence (incoming). -- 1990–1996.
205. Correspondence (outgoing). -- 1988–1996.
206. Telephone directories. -- 1967–1972, 1981, 1985–1990, 1997.
207. Church rentals.
208. Publicity.
209. Goals.
210. Evaluation study. -- 1968.
211. Evaluation study. -- 1993.

Volume 460
212. Guestbook. -- 1994–1997.
213. Guestbook. -- 1988–1994.
214. Guestbook. -- 1983–1988.
215. Guestbook. -- 1977–1983.
216. Guestbook. -- 1971–1977.
217. Guestbook. -- 1966–1970
218. 25th Anniversary Pictorial directory. -- 1989.
219. 30th Anniversary Pictorial directory. -- 1994. (7 copies)
220. Annual Financial statements. -- 1963–1990.
221. Financial Ledger. -- 1961–1964.
222. Financial Ledger. -- 1964–1970.
223. Financial Ledger. -- 1969–1975.
224. Financial Ledger. -- 1976.
225. Financial Ledger. -- 1978.
226. Financial Ledger. -- 1980–1981.
227. Financial Ledger. -- 1984–1987.
228. Financial Ledger. -- 1985.
229. Financial Ledger. -- 1985–1992.
230. Financial Ledger. -- 1993.
231. Financial Ledger. -- 1990–1992.
232. Financial Ledger. -- 1993.
232a. Final Tax Return. -- 1999.

Volume 461
233. Sunday bulletins. -- 1965.
234. Sunday bulletins. -- 1966.
235. Sunday bulletins. -- 1967.
236. Sunday bulletins. -- 1968.
237. Sunday bulletins. -- 1969.
238. Sunday bulletins. -- 1970.
239. Sunday bulletins. -- 1971.
240. Sunday bulletins. -- 1972
241. Sunday bulletins. -- 1973.
242. Sunday bulletins. -- 1974.
243. Sunday bulletins. -- 1975.
244. Sunday bulletins. -- 1976.
245. Sunday bulletins. -- 1977.
246. Sunday bulletins. -- 1978.
247. Sunday bulletins. -- 1979.

Volume 462
248. Sunday bulletins. -- 1980.
249. Sunday bulletins. -- 1981.
250. Sunday bulletins. -- 1982.
251. Sunday bulletins. -- 1983.
252. Sunday bulletins. -- 1984.
253. Sunday bulletins. -- 1985.
254. Sunday bulletins. -- 1986.
255. Sunday bulletins. -- 1987.
256. Sunday bulletins. -- 1988.
257. Sunday bulletins. -- 1989.
258. Sunday bulletins. -- 1990.
259. Sunday bulletins. -- 1991.
260. Sunday bulletins. -- 1992.
261. Sunday bulletins. -- 1993.
262. Sunday bulletins. -- 1994.
263. Sunday bulletins. -- 1995.
264. Sunday bulletins. -- 1996.
265. Sunday bulletins. -- 1997.
266. Dedication Services. -- 1965. – 1 reel to reel tape.
267. Address, telephone, birthday & anniversaries, directory, membership transfers. -- 1997. – 3 computer diskettes.
268. Brooklands church membership register. -- 1964–1995. (Missing July 5/05 cds)
269. Brooklands Community Church membership transfers out and membership list. -- 1997–1999.

Microfilm file list

Reel 80

  • Church Dedication Service, Farewell Service, and other events; clippings (Book III). – 1965–1978. – p.1430–1441.
  • Constitutions (Book II). – 1964?, 1971, 1975, 1977. – p.1397–1429.
  • Church Membership Registers (Book I). – 1964–1979. – p.1391–1396.
  • Congregational Meeting Minutes (Book VI). – Aug.1965–Nov.1975. – p.1509–1679.
  • Congregational Meeting Minutes (Book VII). – Jan.1976–Jan.1979. – p.1680–1746.
  • Church Committee Minutes (Book V). – Jan.1962–Jan.1965. – p.1489–1508.
  • Church Board Minutes (Book VIII). – Mar.1965–Dec.1978. – p.1747–1947.
  • Board of Trustees Management Committee and Planning Committee Minutes (Book IX). – Jan.1973–Feb.1978. – p.1948–1955.
  • Board of Christian Education Sunday School Teachers Meeting Minutes (Book X). – Nov.1963–Sept.1977. – p.1956–2008.
  • Statistical Reports (Book IV). – 1964–1978. – p.1442–1448.
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