New Hope Community Church – Birds Hill, MB
Proper Title
New Hope Community Church fonds
Dates of Creation
1993–1998
Physical Description
7 cm of textual records
Administrative History
When the Central Mennonite Brethren Church (Winnipeg) closed in 1995, many of its members scattered to other churches. Others decided to form a new congregation. It was called the New Hope Community Church, and was envisioned as a church-plant in nearby Bird’s Hill. The church began with 38 charter members, and met in rented facilities.
In 1997, pastor Victor Neufeld resigned, and the congregation began to reconsider whether it had the numbers, finances, and energy to continue the church planting effort. The problems were many: the old Central MB Church building had not been sold, young families were transferring to churches with more established children’s programming, the congregation failed to attract new members, financial assistance was needed from the Manitoba Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, and now they needed a new pastor. In light of these difficulties, the congregation decided to close its doors, this, despite the fact that its members felt very positively about the worship services they had held together.
The leaders of the congregation were Walter Thiessen (1995–1997) and Victor Neufeld (1995–1997).
Sources: Epp, Marlene. “Winnipeg Central Mennonite Brethren Church (Winnipeg, MB)-Bib.” Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. February 1989. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 16 June 2006; and “Congregational meeting minutes. – 1995–1997,” New Hope Community Church fonds, volume 534:3 (see below).
Scope and Content
This fonds consists of membership records, congregational meeting minutes, Board of Spiritual Care minutes, financial records, and official documents concerning charitable status, name change, and real estate.
Custodial History
Records were transferred to CMBS in 1997, 1999, and 2005. Gertrude Loewen, the assistant treasurer for the conference, deposited materials after the congregation closed in 1997. Membership records and some financial records were held by the Manitoba Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches until they were deposited at the archives in 1999 and 2005. In 2006, most of the financial records were culled according to CMBS policy; financial statements and reviewed ledgers were kept.
Notes
- Finding aid consists of a file list.
- Location: Volume 534.
- Formerly classified under the Canadian Conference of MB Churches inventory BC-555.
- In 2006, most of the financial records were culled according to CMBS policy; financial statements and reviewed ledgers were kept.
- Related CMBS materials:
- Central MB Church fonds.
- Described by Bert Friesen, 10 September 2001; updated by Conrad Stoesz, 5 July 2005, and Donovan Giesbrecht, 16 June 2006.
- Accession nos. 1997-042, 1999-037, 2005-022.
- No restrictions on access.
File List
Volume 534
1. Membership register. -- 1995–1997.
2. Membership transfers and deaths. -- 1995–1998.
3. Congregational meeting minutes. -- 1995–1997.
4. Membership policy. -- 1996.
5. Board of Spiritual Care minutes. -- 1995–1996.
6. Financial statements. -- 1995–1997.
7. Official name change, charitable status, real estate, and bank account documents. -- 1995–1998.
8. Charitable status papers. -- 1995–1997.