Administrative History

The Gnadenau church began holding services in homes in 1908 and had 34 members. In 1910, the church spilt into two groups: Gnadenau (in the Flowing Well area in the north) and Elim (around the Kelstern area). The Elim church then joined the Mennonite Brethren Conference with 52 members. Peter P. Penner was the first minister.

From 1911 to 1918, the Elim congregation met in the Queen Centre school. The first building was built on a farm about 3 miles west of Kelstern in 1918. The members of the congregation originated through immigration from Russia, Germany, and the United States.

In 1954, the church building was moved to the town of Kelstern. In 1968, the Gnadenau and Elim churches joined and continued to meet in the Elim Church. A new church was built in 1998. In ca. 1998, the church name changed from Elim Mennonite Brethren Church to Kelstern Community Church.

Congregational leaders prior to 1950 included Peter Penner, Jacob Mueller, Gustav Ewert, Paul Koop, Jacob J. Knelson, Abram J. Redekopp, and John G. Redekopp.

Leaders after 1954 were paid pastors and include: Jacob Kehler (1953–1956), Henry Dueck (1956–1958), Jacob Schmidt (1959–1962), J.J. Thiessen (1967–1973), Henry Martens (1973–1977), Earl Wanamaker (1977–1979), Wesley Ulriksen (1979–1983), Bill McGladdery (1983–1989), Archie Jantzen (1989–1993), Arnie Armstrong (1994–2000), Ray Ulriksen (2001–2006), Dion M. Grimm (2008– ).

The congregation celebrated its centennial in July 2010.

The church’s address is now Hodegeville, Saskatchewan.