← Back to Institutional Records

Warman Mennonite Brethren Church – Warman, SK

Proper Title

Warman Mennonite Brethren Church fonds

Dates of Creation

1952–2009

Physical Description

74 cm of textual records, one microfilm reel, 6 videos, and other material

Administrative History

The Warman Mennonite Brethren Church in Warman, Saskatchewan, had its beginnings in 1932 when Isaac P. Friesen of Rosthern conducted a two-week evangelistic crusade in the Warman town hall. Thereafter, ministers form the Langham Bethesda Church (General Conference) conducted Sunday services. After 1939, the Mennonite Brethren churches from Saskatoon and Dalmeny took charge. The first church building was erected in 1940.

John Gunther was the first full-time worker (1944–1947). Other leaders were Menno Lepp (1947–1952), Norman Fehr (1952–1957), Frank Froese (1957–1968), Elvin Penner (1968–1975), Ben L. Heppner (1975–1982), Dave Esau (1983–1986), Rudy Lemke (1987–1996), Conrad Neudorf (1997–1999), Henry Wiebe (2000–2002), and Ron Medwid (2002–2004).

In 1967, the Warman MB Church was accepted into the Conference with 44 members. The church became self-supporting in 1969.

In 2004, the congregation decided to close the church. The final worship service was on December 19, 2004.

Scope and Content

This fonds consists of the following series: Membership and family records, minutes of congregational meetings, Church Council minutes, financial records and historical records, deacons committee minutes, trustees board minutes, Christian education minutes, Sunday school and youth information, music program minutes, and Warman Church history documents.

Custodial History

Many of the records were microfilmed in 1978 through the work of the Historical Commission of the Mennonite Brethren Conference. More files were added to this collection in 2005 from the Saskatchewan Mennonite Brethren Conference after the church closed.

Notes

  • Volume 1167–1169, 636, microfilm: R15, pp. 157–372.
  • Formerly classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF530.
  • Finding aid consists of a series description and a file list.
  • Language: English.
  • Described by Janelle Hume, July 20, 2006.
  • Some restrictions may apply.
  • Accession Nos. 2005-32; 2021-05.

Series Descriptions

I. Warman Mennonite Brethren Church membership and family records.
1954–2004.
43 pp.; microfilm, 10 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of two books of membership, membership lists / covenant, family records, marriage registration, permits for burial, Birthdays and anniversaries and church phonebook.
  • Finding aid: Volume 1168 files 28–36, 40, and 41; microfilm: R15, pp. 329–372.

II. Warman Mennonite Brethren Church minutes of congregational meetings.
1953–1999.
83 pp.; microfilm, 10 cm textual records, 2 videos and 1 cassette tape.

  • This series consists of Church business meeting minutes, general church meeting minutes; baptismal testimonies, financial documents etc. and annual reports.
  • Finding aid: microfilm, R15, pp. 157–240, textual documents Volume 1168 files 2, 14–15, 19–20, audio-visual records NMV-68-05 and NMV-68-06, audio-cassette tape NA-17-81.

III. Warman Mennonite Brethren Church minutes of Church Council / Board.
1975–1999.
71 pp.; microfilm and 12 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of minutes from Church Board meetings.
  • Finding aid: Volume 1167 file 1, Volume 1168 files 16–18, microfilm: R15, pp. 241–312.

IV. Warman Mennonite Brethren Church financial records.
1958–1976, 1978, 2002.
15 pp.; microfilm, 2 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of incomplete financial records from 1958–1976 with large gaps. Related files found in congregational meetings series. (File 14)
  • Finding aid: Volume 1168 file 21–22 microfilm: R15, pp. 313–328.

V. Warman Mennonite Brethren Church History records.
1952–1996.
3 cm textual records, 3 videos, 2 cassette tapes and one map.

  • This series consists of a few historical notes, statistics report, 50th Jubilee, Jubilee videos, and a map of the church.
  • Finding aid: textual documents Volume 1168 files 1, 2, 4, multi-media NMV-68-02, NMV-68-03 and NMV-68-04. audio-cassette tapes NA-17-78, NA-17-79, NA-17-80, map NMC-1L-45.

VI. Warman Mennonite Brethren Deacons Board records.
1979–2000.
5 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of minutes from the Deacons Board.
  • Finding aid for the textual documents: Volume 1167 file 3.

VII. Warman Mennonite Brethren Trustees Board records.
1978–2009.
4 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of minutes from the board of Trustees.
  • Finding aid for the textual documents: Volume 1167, file 4; Volume 1169, file 1.

VIII. Warman Mennonite Brethren various committees records.
1974–2000.
23 cm of textual records and 1 video tape.

  • This series consists of minutes from the Christian Education, minutes from the music and program committee, minutes from the Sunday school, minutes from the youth committee, minutes from the seniors committee, minutes from the missions committee, minutes from the worship committee, files from the “Discovery Club” and files from the Warman Ladies Group.
  • Finding aid for the textual documents: Volume 1167 files 5–8, Volume 1168 files 10–13, 37–39.
  • Finding aid for the audio-visual document: NMV-68-01.

IX. Warman Mennonite Brethren Church Administration records.
1987–2002.
11 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of a Church Constitution, policies and guidelines, MB Herald, form letters, church assessment, correspondences and attendance sheets.
  • Finding aid for the textual records: Volume 1168 files 3, 5–7, 9, 23–29.

File List

Volume 636
1. Historical notes. -- 1976, [1980?].
2. One church bulletin. -- 1995.

Volume 1167
1. Church Board Meeting Minutes. -- 1975–1981, 1987–1998.
2. Church Business Meeting Minutes. -- 1953–1967, 1969–1972, 1975–1978.
3. Deacons Board Minutes. -- 1979–1982, 1984–2000.
4. Trustees Board Minutes. -- 1978–1999.
5. Christian Education. -- 1976–1990, 1995.
6. Music and Program Committee. -- 1976–1990, 1994, 1996–1997.
7. Sunday school minutes. -- 1974, 1977–1981, 1983, 1991–1998.
8. Youth Committee minutes. -- 1966–1982, 1985–1989, 1993–1998.

Volume 1168
1. Canadian Conference Statistics Report. -- 1994–1996.
2. Warman Church History. -- 1952–1955, 1977–1987.
3. Constitution of the Warman Mennonite Brethren Church (original and copy). -- 1987.
4. Warman Mennonite Brethren Church 50th Jubilee. -- 1984.
5. Policies and guidelines for Warman Mennonite Brethren Church. -- [198?].
6. Mennonite Brethren Herald. -- 1992–1995, 1997–1998.
7. Form letters. -- 1997–1998.
8. Originals – bulletins, comment cards, etc. -- 1987, 1993, 1995, 1998.
9. Church assessment. -- 1998.
10. Seniors Committee minutes. -- 1997.
11. Mission Committee minutes. -- 1988, 1998.
12. Worship Committee minutes. -- 1997–1998.
13. “Discovery Club.” -- 1987–1988.
14. General Church Meetings; Baptism, financial etc. -- 1997, 1999.
15. Business Meetings. -- 1985–1994.
16. Church Board Minutes. -- 1982–1990.
17. Church Board Minutes. -- 1991–1993.
18. Church Board Minutes. -- 1994–1999.
19. Annual Reports. -- 1985–1994.
20. Annual Reports. -- 1994–1999.
21. Financial Reports. -- 1972–1974, 1978.
22. Correspondence. -- 1987–1991.
23. Correspondence. -- 1995.
24. Correspondence. -- 1996.
25. Correspondence. -- 1997, 2002.
26. Church attendance Sheets. -- 1994.
27. Marriage Registrations. -- 1977, 1979, 1983–1985.
28. Permits for burial. -- 1982, 1984–1986, 1991–2000.
29. Membership Meetings minutes. -- 1995–1997.
30. Membership lists / covenant. -- 1999.
31. Church Membership meetings. -- 2003.
32. Individual Membership information. -- 1984, 1994–1997, 2000.
33. Membership certificates and transfers. -- 1954–1999.
34. Birthdays and anniversaries. -- 1997.
35. Phonebook, flyers / posters. -- 1997.
36. Warman ladies – Lists of presidents. -- 1970–1992.
Book of memoirs (copy and original). -- 1953–1993.
Minutes. -- 1969–1970, 1975–1977.
37. Warman ladies – Financial records. -- 1953–1957.
Thank You cards. -- 1986, [198?].
Minutes. -- 1971–1974, 1987.
38. Warman ladies – Financial records. -- 1980–2000.
Minutes. -- 1997–1998.
39. Financial report. -- 1995.
40. Membership and Family Records (Book I). -- 1953–1965.
41. Membership Records. -- 1953–2004.

Volume 1169
1. Legal documents related to the final church service and subsequent sale of the church property. -- 2004–2009.
2. Warman Mennonite Brethren Church cloth Banner. Blue with gold lettering; 88 x 183 cm. -- 1940.

Microfilm file list

Reel 15

  • Membership and Family Records (Book I). ca 1953–1965. pp 329–337.
  • Membership Records. ca 1953–1978. pp 338–372.
  • Congregational Meeting Minutes. 1956–1977. pp 157–240.
  • Church Council Meeting Minutes (Book II). Dec 1964–Nov 1977. pp 241–312.
  • Annual Financial Reports (Book III). 1958–1976 (incomplete). pp  313–328.

Audio visual file list

  • NMV-68-01 “40th Anniversary Ladies’ Fellowship.” VHS. Sep 17, 1993.
  • NMV-68-02 “Jubilee Warman MB Church.” Saturday evening service featuring the Chapel Quartet. VHS. Oct 20, 1984.
  • NMV-68-03 “Jubilee Warman MB Church.” Sunday morning service featuring Ben Heppner. VHS. Oct 21, 1984.
  • NMV-68-04 “Jubilee Warman MB Church.” Sunday evening service. VHS. Oct 21, 1984.
  • NMV-68-05 “Warman MB Church Baptism and Membership celebration.” VHS. Aug 30, 1998.
  • NMV-68-06 “Warman MB Church Testimony and Baptism Service.” VHS. 1 hour, 40 minutes. Feb 28, 1999.

Audio-cassette file list

  • NA-17-78. 1&2 Side Jubilee at Warman Mennonite Brethren Church, Saturday evening service. 50th Anniversary celebration, Warman Mennonite Brethren Church. Oct 20, 1984.
  • NA-17-79. 1&2 Side Jubilee at Warman Mennonite Brethren Church, Sunday morning service featuring Ben Heppner. 50th Anniversary celebration, Warman Mennonite Brethren Church. Oct 21, 1984.
  • NA-17-80. 1&2 Side Jubilee at Warman Mennonite Brethren Church, Sunday evening service featuring Dave Esau. 50th Anniversary celebration, Warman Mennonite Brethren Church. Oct 21, 1984.
  • NA-17-81. 1&2 Side Baptism service, Warman Mennonite Brethren Church. Dec 10, 1995.

Map file list

  • NMC-1L-45 “Plan of the Town of Warman, In the Rural Municipality of Warman #374.” Produced by the Department of Municipal affairs, Town planning and rural development branch. Scale 200 feet to one inch. 91 x 117 cm. Note: 42 cm tear on top left.
← Back to Institutional Records