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Lendrum Mennonite Church – Edmonton, AB

Proper Title

Lendrum Mennonite Church fonds

Dates of Creation

1958–2013

Physical Description

45 cm of textual records and 1 microfilm reel

Administrative History

In the 1950s, Mennonite youth were moving to Edmonton to study or work. In 1957, the Alberta Mennonite Brethren Missions sent a leader there for this group. They met in homes and then rented facilities. In 1959, the group officially founded the Edmonton Mennonite Brethren Mission Group with 22 members. In 1961, they began plans to build their own meeting house and founded the Edmonton Mennonite Brethren Church.

In 1962, the congregation officially joined the Alberta Mennonite Brethren Conference as the Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church with 49 charter members. In 1964, an educational wing was added. In 1971, the building was again expanded. In 1975, the membership stood at 176. The congregation became involved in various community-based activities such as nurseries, kindergartens, arts festivals, among others.

In 1990, the membership was 214; in 2000, it was 226; in 2010, it was 230; and in 2020, it was 112.

In 2018, after a short discernment process, the congregation voted to change its name to Lendrum Mennonite Church. Some members felt the term "brethren" unnecessarily implied that women were excluded or inferior to men in the ministry. Others felt that the word was simply old-fashioned and didn't speak meaningfully.

The leading minister of the congregation include B. W. Sawatzky (1959), Henry Thielmann (1960), Peter Rempel (1960–1969), George Warkentin (1970–1971), Abe Konrad (1972, 1979), Marvin Schmidt (1973–1978), Pam and Waldo Pauls (1980–1988), Herb Kopp (1988–1994), David Dyck (1995–2007), Lorraine Dick (2007–2008), Chris Friesen (2009–2011), Michale Pahl (2009–2011), Justin Majeau (2011–2013), Carol Penner (2014–2016), Paul Cumin (2017–2020), Sherri Guenther Trautwein (2020– ).

The language of worship is English.  The transition from German occurred in the 1950s.

Scope and Content

This fonds consists of five series: Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church history, Bulletins, Church registers, Minutes, and church directories.

Custodial History

Records were transferred to the Centre for MB Studies archives in Winnipeg, Manitoba on a regular basis to 2001. Some records were microfilmed in 1978 through the work of the Historical Commission of the Mennonite Brethren Conference.

Notes

  • Volumes 326–327.
  • Finding aid consists of a series description and a file list.
  • Formerly classified under the Canadian Conference of MB Churches inventory BA-502.
  • Finding aid for microfilm: R53, pp.350–2110.
  • Described by Bert Friesen 27 September 2001, microfilm file list adapted from a previous finding aid by Leslie Wiebe June 2003. Updated by Yvonne Snider-Nighswander 5 October 2011. Updated by Kate Woltmann July 16, 2013. Updated by Emma Sorensen May 31, 2018.
  • No restrictions on access.

Series Descriptions

I. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church history.
1985, 1987.
3.5 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of a brief congregational history (1985) and 25th anniversary book (1987).

II. Bulletins.
1968, 1971–1977, 1979–2012.
40.5 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of congregational bulletins (1968, 1971–1977, 1979–2010).

III. Church registers.
1962–1978.
94 pp.; microfilm.

  • This series consists of congregational membership register and family register, which includes data on birth, baptism, marriage, and death (1962–1978).

IV. Minutes.
1958–1978.
1712.; microfilm.

  • This series consists of congregational meeting minutes (1958–1978), and council meeting minutes (1960–1978).

V. Church directories.
1966, 1995, 1997.
0.5 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of congregational address and telephone directories (1966, 1995, 1997).

File List

Volumes 326–327

    1. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church history. -- 1985.
    2. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church 25th anniversary books. -- 1987.
    3. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1968.
    4. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1971.
    5. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1972.
    6. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1973.
    7. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1974.
    8. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1975.
    9. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1976–1977.
    10. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1979.
    11. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1980.
    12. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1981.
    13. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1982–1984.
    14. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1986–1987.
    15. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1988–1992.
    16. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1985.
    17. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1986.
    18. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1987.
    19. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1988.
    20. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1989.
    21. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1990.
    22. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1991.
    23. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1992.
    24. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1993.
    25. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1994.
    26. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1995.
    27. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1996.
    28. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1997.
    29. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1998.
    30. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1999.
    31. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 2000.
    32. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 2001.
    33. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 2002.
    34. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 2003–2004.
    35. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 2005.
    36. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 2006.
    37. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church directories. -- 1966, 1993, 1995, 1997.
    38. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 2007.
    39. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 2008.
    40. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 2009.
    41. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 2010.
    42. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 2011.
    43. Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 2012.
    44. Baptism photo, anniversary photo. -- 2013.

Microfilm file list

Reel 53

  • Membership Register. – p.2062–2110 (+45). – Note: It is unclear what this number represents, but is included because it was in a previous finding aid.
  • Membership Minutes. – Jan.1958–Dec.1959. – p.350–411.
  • Membership Minutes. – Jan.1960–Dec.1964. – p.412–580.
  • Congregational and Church Council Minutes. – Oct.1963–May 1966. – p.581–717.
  • Congregational Minutes. – Jan.1965–Dec.1970. – p.754–873.
  • Congregational and Church Board Minutes (Not chronologically entered). – June 1966–1969. – p.718–753.
  • Congregational Minutes. – Jan.1971–Dec.1971. – p.874–904.
  • Congregational Minutes. – Jan.1972–Dec.1972. – p.905–952.
  • Congregational Minutes. – Jan.1973–Dec.1973. – p.953–1010.
  • Congregational Minutes. – Jan.1974–Dec.1974. – p.1011–1092.
  • Congregational Minutes. – Dec.1974–Nov.1975. – p.1093–1153.
  • Congregational Minutes. – Jan. 1976–May1976. – p.154–1217.
  • Congregational Minutes. – June 1976–May 1977. – p.1218–1260.
  • Congregational Minutes. – June 1977–May 1978. – p.1261–1317.
  • Church Council (Board) Meeting Minutes. – 1960–1964. – p.1318–1461.
  • Church Council (Board) Meeting Minutes. – 1965–1970. – p.1462–1577.
  • Church Council (Board) Meeting Minutes. – 1971. – p.1578–1671.
  • Church Council (Board) Meeting Minutes. – 1972. – p.1673–1733.
  • Church Council (Board) Meeting Minutes. – 1973. – p.1734–1804.
  • Church Council (Board) Meeting Minutes. – 1974. – p.1805–1914.
  • Church Council (Board) Meeting Minutes. – Jan.1976–May 1976. – p.1915–1969.
  • Church Council (Board) Meeting Minutes. – June 1976–May 1977. – p.1970–2011.
  • Church Council (Board) Meeting Minutes. – June 1977–May 1978. – p.2012–2061.
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