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Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church – Waterloo, ON

Proper Title

Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church fonds

Dates of Creation

1960–2018

Physical Description

6 cm of textual records and 1 microfilm reel

Administrative History

The Kitchener Mennonite Brethren Church began a mission Sunday School programme in 1960. In 1961, worship services were begun, both the worship and Sunday School program were held in rented facilities. In 1964, the Kitchener congregation purchased land in Waterloo. In 1967, the Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church was established out of the work begun in 1960 with 45 charter members. In 1973, the congregation completed its own meeting house on the land purchased by the Kitchener congregation nearly a decade earlier. Many from this congregation have given service overseas. The congregation has grown. In 1980, the membership was 114. In 2000, the membership stood at 438. In 2016, the membership was 529.

In 2018, the  Kitchener MB Church on Ottawa St. in Kitchener became an additional worship site of the Waterloo MB Church.

The leaders of the congregation were: Alvin Enns (1967–1975), John Redekop (1975–1976), Marvin Warkentin (1976–1985), Chuck Buller (1986–1992), Lorraine Dick (1993), Mike Frantz (1994–1998), Julie Sharrow (1999–2000), David Macfarlane (2001–2003), Paul McIlwraith (2003–2012), Paul Loewen (2012–2014), Chris Stevens (2014–2021), Adam Knowles (2021– ).

Scope and Content

This fonds consists of an historical sketch of the congregation, a brief congregational history (1985, 2017), early historical records (1960–1968), congregational bulletins (1977–1978, 1984–1988), congregational directory (1994), congregational membership and family register (1966–1978), congregational annual reports (1976–1978, 2016), congregational meeting minutes (1967–1978), church council meeting minutes (1967–1978), congregational financial records (1967–1978).

Custodial History

Records were transferred to the Centre for MB Studies archives in Winnipeg, Manitoba up to 1989. Some records were microfilmed in 1978 through the work of the Historical Commission of the Mennonite Brethren Conference.

Notes

  • Volume 569.
  • Finding aid consists of a series description and a file list.
  • Accession Number: 2016-031
  • Formerly classified under the Canadian Conference of MB Churches inventory BD-519.
  • Finding aid for microfilm: R35, pp. 994–1683.
  • Described by Bert Friesen, October 19, 2001; microfilm file list adapted from a previous finding aid by Leslie Wiebe, June 2003. Updated by Conrad Stoesz September 15, 2016.
  • No restrictions.

Series Descriptions

I. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church history.
1980, 1985, 2017.
0.2 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of a brief congregational history (1985, 2017) and an historical sketch of the congregation (1980).

II. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren early records.
1960–1968.
22 pp.; microfilm.

  • This series consists of early history records of the congregation (1960–1968).

III. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins.
1977–1978, 1984–1988.
5 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of congregational bulletins (1977–1978, 1984–1988).

IV. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church directory.
1993–1994.
0.2 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of a congregational address and telephone directory (1994).

V. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church register.
1966–1978.
18 pp.; microfilm.

  • This series consists of a congregational membership and family register (1966–1978).

VI. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church annual reports.
1976–1978.
31 pp.; microfilm and .1 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of congregational annual reports (1976–1978), and Leadership Board Reports (2016).

VII. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church minutes.
1967–1978.
503 pp.; microfilm.

  • This series consists of congregational meeting minutes (1967–1978) and church council meeting minutes (1967–1978).

VIII. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church financial records.
1967–1978.
116 pp.; microfilm.

  • This series consists of congregational financial records (1967–1978) and building committee minutes (1971–1973).

File List

Volume 569
1. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church historical sketch. -- 1980.
2. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church history. -- 1985.
3. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1977–1978.
4. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1984.
5. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1985.
6. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1986.
7. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1987.
8. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins. -- 1988.
9. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church directory. -- 1993, 1994.
10. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church baptism low res photo. -- November 21, 2010.
11. Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church (WMB Church) Annual Leadership Board Reports. -- 2016.
12. "The WMB Story." A 50th anniversary document giving a brief history of the church's development. -- 2017.
13. WMB Leadership Board report for ministry year. -- 2017–2018.

Microfilm file list

Reel 35

  • Early Beginnings, Historical Records. Oct 1960–Aug 1968. -- pp . 1644–1665.
  • Membership and Family Register (Book I). ca. 1960–1977. -- pp. 1666–1683.
  • Annual Reports. 1976–1978. -- pp. 1540–1570.
  • Congregational Meeting Minutes. Jan 1967–May 1972. -- pp. 1085–1231.
  • Congregational Meeting Minutes. May 1972–June 1978. -- pp. 1362–1496.
  • Church Council Meeting Minutes. Jan 1967–May 1972. -- pp. 991–1084.
  • Church Council Meeting Minutes. Jun 1972–May 1976. -- pp. 1232–1281.
  • Church Council Meeting Minutes. May 1976–Jul 1978. -- pp. 1282–1361.
  • Financial Report. 1967–1978. -- pp. 1497–1539.
  • Building Committee Minutes. Nov 1971–Sep 1973. -- pp. 1571–1643.
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