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Grace Mennonite Brethren Church – Penticton, BC

Proper Title

Grace Mennonite Brethren Church fonds

Dates of Creation

1957–2018

Physical Description

53 cm of textual records and digital files

Administrative History

The Grace Mennonite Brethren Church of Penticton, BC, had its roots in 1957 when the Associated Gospel Churches (AGC) of Canada opened up work under the name of Grace Gospel Church. In 1960, a church building was constructed that was used for many years.

In 1982, a spokesperson for a potential Mennonite Brethren church in Penticton approached the A.G.C. board chairman with questions about a possibility of an amalgamation with the proposed Mennonite Brethren work. Discussion meetings were held, and, on March 7, the first joint Sunday service was held.

On April 18, 1982, the church was officially chartered as the Grace Mennonite Brethren Church with 57 members. The newly formed church welcomed its first resident pastor couple, Rev. and Mrs. Edward Hamm, on September 19, 1982. They ended their pastorship with Grace MB Church on July 28, 1983, and on February 19, 1984, the church held a commissioning service for their second pastor couple, Hart and Louise Loewen.

In about 1985, membership stood at 74, average attendance at Sunday morning services was 92 and average Sunday school attendance was 60. As of 2004, membership at Grace was 51 with an average attendance of 55.

Those to have lead the Grace MB Church include Edward Hamm (1982–1983), Hart Loewen (1984–1985), Dave Esau (1987–2000), Blake Wagner (2002–2018).

In 2018, the congregation agreed unanimously to close. A closing celebration service was held on 20 May 2018.

Scope and Content

This fonds consists of historical sketch, congregational meeting minutes, church council meeting minutes, annual reports, correspondence, membership records, and bulletins. The records document the life and impact of the congregation's 36-year ministry.

Notes

  • Location: Volumes 397 and 1520.
  • Digital files stored on CMBS server @ ... Electronic Collections/Provinces/BC
  • Description by Shauna Hudson, June 25, 2004.
  • Formerly classified under the Canadian Conference of MB Churches inventory number BB559.
  • Finding aid consists of a file list.
  • Acc. no. 2018-12.
  • Updated by Jon Isaak, September 2021.
  • Some restrictions on access apply.

File List

Volume 397

  1. History. -- 1985, 2002.
  2. Bulletins used at special worship services (charter service in 1982, Pastor Ed Hamm's commissioning service in 1982, and the church's tenth anniversary in 1992. -- 1982, 1992.
  3. Bulletins. -- 1984.
  4. Bulletins. -- 1985.
  5. Bulletins. -- 1986.
  6. Bulletins. -- 1987.
  7. Bulletins. -- 1988.
  8. Bulletins. -- 1989.
  9. Bulletins. -- 1990.
  10. Bulletins. -- 1991.
  11. Bulletins. -- 1993.
  12. Bulletins. -- 1994.
  13. Bulletins. -- 1995.
  14. Bulletins. -- 1996.
  15. GMBC record book of marriages. -- 1958–2018.
  16. GMBC membership register of past members. -- 1983–2017.
  17. GMBC membership register of current members at the time of closure. -- 2018.

Volume 1520

  1. Bulletins. -- 1997.
  2. Bulletins. -- 1998.
  3. Bulletins. -- 1999.
  4. Bulletins. -- 2000.
  5. Bulletins. -- 2001.
  6. Bulletins. -- 2002.
  7. Bulletins. -- 2003.
  8. Bulletins. -- 2004.
  9. Bulletins. -- 2005.
  10. Bulletins. -- 2006.
  11. Bulletins. -- 2007.
  12. Grace Gospel Church (early partner church to GMBC) Sunday School roster. -- 1957–1980.
  13. Completed application forms for membership in 1982 in the new GMBC- -- 1982.
  14. "Profiles of Grace," a collection of 18 faith stories from GMBC members, compiled and edited by Susan Martens. -- 2002–2004.
  15. GMBC burial permits and registrations of death. -- 1975–2012.
  16. Marriage licenses issued. -- 1958–1990.
  17. Record of child dedications, graduations, and deaths. -- 1982–1996.
  18. Record of baptisms. -- 1982–1998.
  19. GMBC membership list. -- 1982–1997.
  20. GMBC list of members and adherents. -- 1999–2001.
  21. GMBC letters of membership withdrawal and transfer. -- 1982–2002.
  22. GMBC record of membership releases and withdrawals. -- 1983–2000.
  23. Address and photo directory of people associated with GMBC. -- 2002.
  24. GMBC worship committee meeting minutes. -- 1997–1999.
  25. GMBC catering committee. Event and menu plans. -- 1982–2007.
  26. GMBS guest book with guest signatures. -- 2000–2007.
  27. Report books for annual general meeting at GMBC. -- 1982–1984.
  28. Report books for annual general meeting at GMBC. -- 1985–1987.
  29. Report books for annual general meeting at GMBC. -- 1988–1990.
  30. Report books for annual general meeting at GMBC. -- 1991–1993.
  31. Report books for annual general meeting at GMBC. -- 1994–1996.
  32. Report books for annual general meeting at GMBC. -- 1997–1999.
  33. Report books for annual general meeting at GMBC. -- 2000–2002.
  34. Report books for annual general meeting at GMBC. -- 2003–2005.
  35. Report books for annual general meeting at GMBC. -- 2006–2008.
  36. Report books for annual general meeting at GMBC. -- 2009–2011.
  37. Report books for annual general meeting at GMBC. -- 2012–2014.
  38. Report books for annual general meeting at GMBC. -- 2015–2018.
  39. GMBC early constitutions, operating guidelines, and society act annual registration. -- 1982–2005.
  40. Rev. Gail Alcock. Ordination documents. RESTRICTED. -- 2011.
  41. Natural Church Development profile analysis of GMBC. -- [2000?].
  42. Annual CCMBC statistical report for GMBC. -- 1982–2011.
  43. GMBC meeting minutes for church council and congregational membership meetings. -- 1982–1983.
  44. GMBC congregational meeting minutes. -- 1938–1987.
  45. GMBC membership meeting minutes. -- 1987–2004.
  46. GMBC annual membership meeting minutes. -- 1983–1986.
  47. GMBC annual membership meeting minutes. -- 1987–2009.
  48. GMBC annual membership meeting minutes. -- 2016–2018.
  49. GMBC council meeting minutes. -- 1983–1987.
  50. GMBC council meeting minutes. -- 1987–1900.
  51. GMBC council meeting minutes. -- 1991–1993.
  52. GMBC council meeting minutes. -- 1994–1997.
  53. GMBC council meeting minutes. -- 1998–1999.
  54. GMBC council meeting minutes. -- 2000–2001.
  55. GMBC council meeting minutes. -- 2002–2009.
  56. GMBC leadership meeting minutes. -- 2016–2018.
  57. GMBC council correspondence. -- 1983–1985.
  58. GMBC council correspondence. -- 1987–2010.
  59. GMBC council correspondence. -- 1917–2018.

Digital Files

Photos and testimonies of GMBC members, compiled by Susan Martens. -- 2002–2004.
Bulletins. -- 2009
Bulletins. -- 2010.
Bulletins. -- 2011.
Bulletins. -- 2012.
Bulletins. -- 2013.
Bulletins. -- 2014.
Bulletins. -- 2015.
Bulletins. -- 2016.
Bulletins. -- 2017.
Bulletins. -- 2018.

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