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Klassen, Cornelius F. (1894–1954)

Proper Title

Cornelius F. Klassen fonds

Dates of Creation

1922–1964

Physical Description

43 cm of textual material, 128 photographs, and 5 audio recordings

Biographical Sketch

Cornelius Franz Klassen (C.F. Klassen) (1894–1954) was the oldest of the 13 children of Franz F. Klassen (1870–1924) and Justine Wiebe (1874–1933) in the New Samara, Russia, Mennonite settlement. He was an active lay worker in the Mennonite Brethren (MB) Church of Canada and an outstanding leader and administrator in Mennonite relief and colonization work in Russia, Canada, and Europe. From 1945 until his death he was director of the refugee and resettlement service of the Mennonite Central Committee in Europe, on behalf of the Russian and Danzig refugees. His early schooling was in the village school at Donskaya, Neu-Samara, Russia where the family lived beginning in 1900; his father operated a store there until 1918. He also attended the Zentralschule at Karassan, Crimea from 1907 until 1910.

After his baptism into the MB Church at Lugovsk in the summer of 1911, he entered the office of the Otto Deutz Co. of Moscow in 1912. He studied in Education under A. Tcheriyayev in St. Petersburg (1913–1914) and then served a year as private tutor. His plan to study medicine was blocked by induction into the Mennonite forestry service (Foresti) as a conscientious objector (1915–1917).

Klassen first served as a representative of the Mennonite community in 1917 as a delegate to the All-Mennonite Congress at Ohrloff. He also represented the Mennonite forestry service men at the Bundeskonferenz at Halbstadt. He and Peter Froese were sent by the Congress to negotiate the release of Mennonites held in prison in Moscow by the Kerensky government. After serving as elected representative of the settlement of New Samara and Orenburg both at Moscow and to the Bashkir Republic at Sterlitamak (1918–1919), Klassen and Froese, were chosen again at Ufa in 1920 to represent the Mennonites of East Russia and Siberia in Moscow.

Klassen worked in Moscow in 1920–21 with the United Council of Religious Bodies and the Russian Relief Committee, and he aided A.J. Miller in the negotiations with the Kremlin. These negotiations laid the foundation for the American Mennonite Relief (AMR) of the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Russia. He was active in the AMR program from 1921 until 1923. He then shared in the organization of the AMLV (Allrussischer Mennonitischer Landwirtschaftlicher Verein; All-Russian Mennonite Agricultural Union) in 1923. Klassen was vice-president of the AMLV, while Peter Froese served as president. The AMLV rendered valuable service both in the great emigration of 1922–1925 to Canada, and in taking over the representation of the Mennonites of Russia after the church conference organization was suppressed by Moscow.

In 1928 Klassen left Russia for Winnipeg, Manitoba. He entered the service of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1930 and provided leadership in the great effort to pay off the entire transportation debt accumulated by the Mennonite emigrants of 1922–1925. The transportation of these emigrants from Russia to Canada had been financed by over $1,000,000 in loans from the CPR. Klassen also worked very closely with bishop David Toews of Rosthern, Saskatchewan in the work of the Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization. He helped to organize the Mennonite Central Relief Committee of Western Canada in 1940 and served as its first secretary–treasurer. He served on the board of trustees of the Mennonite Collegiate Institute (MCI) in Gretna, Manitoba and the Mennonite Brethren Bible College (MBBC) in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Beginning in 1936, Klassen was a member of the Committee for General Welfare and Public Relations of the MB General Conference, and in 1941 he began as secretary of the Military Problems Committee of the Mennonite Churches of Western Canada. With David Toews he served as Canadian delegate to the Mennonite World Conferences at Danzig (1930) and Amsterdam (1936). He was also a delegate and speaker at the succeeding world conferences at Goshen–Newton (1948) and Basel (1952). Beginning in 1944, he was a member of the Mennonite Central Committee, and a member of its Executive Committee from 1946.

Klassen’s greatest work was as European Commissioner for Refugee Aid and Resettlement under the MCC in Europe from December 1945 until his death. During the last year of his service he was also the general director of MCC work in Europe. He was the MCC representative on the important Liaison Committee with the German Mennonites, as well as on the Board of Trustees of the European Mennonite Bible School at Basel. He handled with outstanding success the arduous and difficult assignment of negotiating with various governmental and international agencies (UNO, IRO, etc.) for the exit permits, transportation, and migration for over 10,000 Russian (plus several thousand Galicians and Danzigers) Mennonite refugees to Canada, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

He was the founder and administrator of the resettlement housing program in Niederbiber, Espelkamp, Backnang, Enkenbach, and Wedel for Danzig Mennonite refugees in Germany, and a prime figure in the establishment of the service of old people’s homes at Leutesdorf (where he is buried), Enkenbach, and Pinneberg. During the difficult postwar period in Europe, particularly in Germany, he acted as counselor and helper in the revival of Mennonite church life and in the establishment of such institutions as the Foyer Mennonite at Valdoie-Belfort, France, the Basel Glaubenskonferenz, and Der Mennonit, of which he served as editor during the last year before his death.

Through his tireless labors and extensive speaking tours on behalf of relief efforts, he became not only the symbol of Mennonite relief and refugee service to Mennonites in general but a strong influence for better mutual understanding and co-operation among Mennonites across denominational lines. This also found expression in his participation in the work of the Mennonite Encyclopedia, of which he served as an associate editor from the beginning of the project until his death.

Klassen died in Gronau, Germany on 8 May 1954. He was survived by his wife Mary (nee Brieger) and four children, Harold, Walfried, Herbert, and Irmgard. His residence in Canada was in Winnipeg until 1948 when the family moved to Abbotsford, B.C.

Two books have been written about Klassen. He is Able is an English translation of Er Kann by H.F. Klassen, 1978 and Ambassador to His people by Herbert and Maureen Klassen in 1990.

From Canadian Mennonite Encyclopedia online.

Custodial History

The Cornelius F. Klassen fonds was donated to Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies at various times. Early in 1977, Catherine Klassen (wife to Cornelius’ brother H.F. Klassen) donated two albums of photographs which were compiled by C.F. Klassen. In April 1981, Harold Klassen donated five wire recordings which have been put on to audio cassettes. In January 1987 Catherine Klassen (sister-in-law in Winnipeg) donated 42 photographs of the C.F. Klassen collection, mostly of MCC in Europe and World War II. In June 1993 Mrs. Catherine Klassen donated C.F. Klassen’s personal papers, found in this fonds.

Some files appear to have been the property of Klassen’s son Herb Klassen, who we assume donated the material after the writing the book on Klassen Ambassador to His People. Some materials are dated well after C.F. Klassen’s death and it is unclear how this came to be included with Klassen’s papers. They may in fact be the papers of C.A. DeFehr and from G.H. Sukkau. Two files are photocopies from the P.H. Unruh Collection general correspondence MLA-MS-20 at Bethel College Historical Library Newton, Kansas.

Scope and Content

The materials in this fonds consists of correspondence, reports, and minutes to and from Klassen in his role as an administrator and advocate for Mennonite refugees. There is lengthy correspondence with Cornelius A. DeFehr (C.A. DeFehr) and Benjamin H. Unruh (B.H. Unruh). Correspondence is with MCC board members such as H.S. Bender and Orie O. Miller. The documents reflect Klassen’s activities with relief organizations, settlement of Mennonites in Paraguay, Brazil, and Mexico, travel debt repayment, world conferences, and his involvement with such issues as non-resistance. Also included are documents to and from important organizations such as the Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization, Mennonite Central Relief Committee Canada (MCRC), Canadian Mennonite Relief and Immigration Council (CMRIC), which later joined to form the Mennonite Central Committee Canada (MCC) in 1963.

This material shows the difficult situation the refugees in Russia faced and how Mennonites in Canada, the United States, and to a lesser extent in Germany and Holland tried to help them through financial and material as well as emigration to Canada and South America.

Some of the material is dated well after Klassen’s death and this material tends to be connected with C.A. DeFehr and to a lesser extent G.H. Sukkau. The fonds also contains some bibliographic material of a personal and family nature such as a fiftieth birthday celebration event, tributes, funeral, and articles “Er Kann” by H.F. Klassen, written about C.F. Klassen, Mennonitische Rundschau 27 September to 13 December 1972.

The photographs are of churches that Russian Mennonite immigrants had erected or acquired in Canada after 1923 and of the occasion of Sir Edward Beatty’s and Colonel J.S. Dennis’s visit to the Mennonite settlement at Coaldale on September 19, 1937. (See Mennonite Brethren Herald 4 February 1977, p. 18). Other photos are of Klassen’s work in Europe.

Located in the CMBS tape collection is a tape that Klassen sent to his family in North America for Christmas, 1952. Another tape consists of reports from MCC workers in Germany. Reporting are Martha Thiessen, Helen Janz, Sigfried Janzen, Margaret Janzen, and C.F. Klassen, 1950. There are also cassettes in the form of tributes to Klassen.

Notes

  • Volumes 999–1000.
  • Described by Conrad Stoesz June 6, 2003. A detailed file and item inventory for files 1–17 was completed at an earlier date by [Herb Klassen?] which was used in this finding aid.
  • Language: much German and some Russian.
  • Location:
    • CMBS Personal papers collection (textual)
    • Audiocassettes: NA-18-07, NA-16-5, NA-16-3. NA-16-4. NA-18-08.
    • Photographs: NP10, NP52-01, and NP52-02.
    • Wire recordings: NW-2, NW-3, NW-4, NW-5.
  • Accession numbers: 1981–37, 1987–4, 1993–24, 2003–025.
  • Some restrictions apply to the wire recordings.
  • Finding aid consists of a file list and some item lists.
  • Related Material, this repository: B.B. Janz fonds, C.A. DeFehr fonds, Heinrich F. Klassen and Catherine Thiessen Klassen fonds.
  • Related material other repositories: Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization fonds at the Mennonite Heritage Centre. Mennonite Central Committee Canada (MCC) fonds at Mennonite Heritage Centre, A.A. Friesen fonds at Mennonite Heritage Centre, Mennonite Central Committee US (MCC) fonds at Mennonite Church USA Archives, Goshen, Indiana, P.H. Unruh fonds at Bethel College, Newton, Kansas.

File List

Volume 999

  1. MCC – DeFehr correspondence. – 1949.
    This file contains correspondence of C.A. DeFehr regarding “group Emigration 483” for the year 1949 (August to December). Included are:

    • Response to questions about conditions in Paraguay written by C.A. DeFehr.
    • Thank yous for donations, explanation of distribution by C.A. DeFehr.
    • Letters of inquiry with letter with responses.
    • Recommendations of ways to aid needy in Paraguay written by C.A. DeFehr.
    • Letters of appreciation or reports on conditions by Paraguayan Mennonite officials.
    • Personal letters by DeFehr to Paraguayan Mennonites.
    • Letters between MCC administrators (C.F. Klassen, P.C. Hiebert, B. Epp).
    • M.O. [Money Order] receipts attached to letters enclosing donations.
    • Listed individuals and families in need of financial aid.
    • Correspondence regarding aid to Brazil.
    • Personal correspondence e.g. Invitation to C.A. DeFehr’s son’s ordination.
    • Letters to DeFehr of encouragement.
  2. MCC re: Mennonites in Paraguay, C.A. DeFehr correspondence. – 1949.
    This file contains the correspondence of C.A. DeFehr from January to July 1949 with regard to Mennonites in Paraguay. Letters concern:

    • Conditions in Paraguay.
    • Donations by individuals or church groups of North America, money or supplies.
    • In most cases a letter of inquiry is attached to a letter from DeFehr explaining the need in the case of the first concern, in the case of the second, a letter to the Paraguayan Mennonites receiving the donation by DeFehr is attached to the letter (which apparently included a money order) and the money order receipt itself.
  3. MCC DeFehr correspondence as treasurer. – 1941–1959; predominant 1959.
    This file includes:

    • Financial reports of the Mennonite Central Relief Committee (MCRC) Western Canada for the years 1947–1950.
    • A report on the Manitoba Mennonite Brethren youth organization.
    • Letters of P.C. Hiebert, chairman of MCC (Akron). – 1950.
    • Chairman’s report by P.C. Hiebert. – [ca. 1950].
    • Reports of the committee for General Welfare and Public Relations of the Mennonite Brethren Church of North America.
    • Letters to and by C.A. DeFehr, secretary treasures of the MCRC (western Canada) dealing with:
      • Aid to Paraguayan Mennonite Colonies (appliances, education, farmland, hospitalization, musical instruments, books, medical supplies, and travel costs).
      • Relief clothing bundles.
      • Transferal of funds to MCC (Akron).
      • The amalgamations of the MCRC and Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization.
      • Aid to workers in Bolivia and Brazil.
      • MCC Membership study.
      • Travel costs for CMRC executive committee
      • Visa requirements for missionaries to Africa and the middle east.
      • Relocation of the office.
  4. Mennonite Central Relief Committee Canada (MCRC) correspondence, reports. – 1948–1959.
  5. MCRC (Mennonite Central Relief Committee) correspondence of C.A. DeFehr re: financial matters. – 1960–1961.
    This file contains the correspondence pertaining to the financial matter of the Mennonite Central Relief Committee Western Canada (MCRC) for the years 1960–1961. Most is written by C.A. DeFehr, other are either by Harry Wiens, G.H. Sukkau (associate treasurer) or Paraguayan colony officials. Matters dealt with in the correspondence include:

    • Conference agenda.
    • Travel arrangements.
    • Relief clothing.
    • Canned food.
    • Contributions
    • Aid to service workers.
    • Amalgamation of the Mennonite Central Relief Committee and the Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization to form the Canadian Mennonite Relief and Immigration Council (CMRIC).
    • Relocation of the office to Winnipeg.
    • Aid to Paraguayan Mennonites (Mennonite Economic Development Agency, medical supplies, appliances, exchange and interest rates, schools, books, money for livestock).
  6. CMCRC (Canadian Mennonite Central Relief Committee) correspondence regarding financial matters with C.A. DeFehr. – 1962–1963.
    This file contains the correspondence of C.A. DeFehr with respect to financial matters of the Canadian Mennonite Relief and Immigration committee for the years 1962 and 1963. Specific topics of DeFehr’s letters are:

    • Aid to Paraguayan Mennonite colonies (land purchase, medical personnel, livestock purchase, appliances, school construction, mission work with Indians (natives), and medical supplies.
    • Deputation work of Peter J. Dyck and Elfrieda Dyck.
    • Construction of office buildings – Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren churches support.
    • Reports to Akron.
    • Transfer of funds from Germany.
    • Language of reports.
    • Overseas personnel.
    • Administration.
    • Bequests.
    • Meetings.
    • Relief clothing bundles.
    • Office expenses (letter of Katie Hooge and, G.H. Sukkau).
    • Conference reports.
    • Frank Epp’s book Mennonite Exodus.
    • Woolen blankets (Algeria, Jordania, Hong Kong).
    • Memorandum from Mayor Fast about Friesland.
  7. CMRC (Canadian Mennonite Central Relief Committee) minutes and reports. – 1960–1964.
    This file includes the following materials.

    • Financial report for 1958 of MCRC (Mennonite Central Relief Council).
    • Annual report including financial report for 1959 of MCRC.
    • Report including financial report fro 1 January to 31 May 1960.
    • Financial report for 1 June to 1 August 1960.
    • Letter re: finances by J.J. Thiessen with cheque. – April 1961.
    • Report on Paraguay focusing on Neuland by Peter Derksen. – December 28, 1960.
    • MCRC of Western Canada report for General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches of North America. – 1960.
    • Letter regarding MCC (Akron) aid to Paraguay (Indian hospitals) (Typewriter). 00 May, December 1961.
    • Letters regarding VS (voluntary Service) Personnel for MCC. – 1961–1962.
    • Minutes of executive committee meeting of CMRIC. – May 25, 1961.
    • Two pages from the diary of Orie O. Miller (sub-Sahara Africa). – January 1962.
    • Letter from MEDA to Board of General Welfare and Public Relations of Mennonite Brethren Church, North America. – March 1962.
    • Financial report of provincial relief committee, Manitoba. – 1961–1962.
    • Letter requesting material for MRIC Manitoba. – December 1962.
    • Agenda of MRIC Manitoba at North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church. – 1962.
    • MRIC report of provincial relief committee by C.A. DeFehr. – 1962.
    • J.J. Thiessen report to provincial relief committee. – 1962.
    • Attendance formula.
    • Proposed agenda for Mennonite and Brethren in Christ relief and service organizations meeting at Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church. – April 19–20, 1963.
    • Introduction to Historic Peace Church Council of Canada (HPCCC) by J.B. Martin.
    • Report by the findings committee.
    • Canadian Mennonite Council (CMC) chart.
    • Reports on HPCCC.
    • Non-resistant relief organization report.
    • Report on CMRC to meeting of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ relief and service organizations.
    • Report on origin and development of Mennonite Relief Committee of Manitoba.
    • Report on Mennonite Relief and Immigration Committee of Saskatchewan.
    • Report of Alberta Mennonite Relief and Immigration Council.
    • Report of British Columbia Mennonite Relief Committee Growth.
    • Canadian Mennonite Relief and Immigration Council report.
    • Proposal to constitution committee regarding name change.
    • Resolution committee reports.
    • Manitoba Mennonite provincial relief committees “operation 63”. – November 7, 1963.
    • Agenda for Meeting of MRIC of Manitoba, Winkler. – December 6, 1963.
    • Financial report.
    • Report of MRIC (Canada) to meeting above.
    • Minutes of meeting of Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church, Winnipeg. – December 12–14, 1963.
    • Report of findings committee, conference in Winnipeg. – December 12–14, 1963.
    • Canadian Personnel List of applications of VS (Voluntary Service) MCC. – 1961–1963.
    • Minutes #2 of MCC (Canada) meeting held in Chicago. – January 11, 1964.
    • Letter to Larry Kehler info services MCC (Akron) from A. Kreoker regarding films narrated by Peter J. Dyck (Algeria, Greece) and blanket about life of P.C. Hiebert. – March 19, 1964.
    • Report to the members of the MCC (Canada) covering period January to April. – 1964.
    • Letters regarding MB representatives to MCC (Canada). – 1964.
    • letter to Larry Kehler Info. Services MCC (Akron) regarding Martin Duerksen Itinerary.
    • News release “Sacrificial Giving” to Canadian Mennonite Relief and immigration Council (CMRIC), Winnipeg. – May 14, 1964.
    • CMRIC transfer to MCC (Canada), letter by J.J. Thiessen.
    • Report of CMRIC to Conference at Winkler and Rosthern July 1964 regarding purchase of land in Friesland Colony, Paraguay.
    • Letter to provincial relief committees from CMRIC. – April 1964.
    • Notes taken at Consultation on South America Held at the CMBC. – August 17, 1964.
    • Letters regarding MCC blanket drive. – November 1964.
    • Constitution of Mennonite Central Committee Canada (MCC). – 1963.
    • Constitution of Mennonite Central Committee Manitoba (MCC). – [196-?].
    • Letter regarding Canadian Mennonite Brethren Conference levy. – 1964.
    • Notes for a devotional.
    • List of Canadian Mennonite Brethren Conference Relief Committee Representatives.
    • Relation of MCC and CMC. – 1963.
  8. Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization correspondence, reports, and minutes. – 1946–1951.
  9. MCC Canada correspondence. – 1949–1951.
  10. Canadian Mennonite Relief and Immigration Council, letters from B.H. Unruh to C.F. Klassen. – 1929–1931.
    This file contains Board of Colonization material dated from Jan. 1929 to Dec. 1931. Included are reports written by Benjamin Unruh to BCL centers in US (H.S.Bender), Sask. (David Toews), Winnipeg (G. Sawatsky). Reports cover immigration negotiations with German, Dutch, S. American, USA, Canadian, and China government officials. Details: regulations of immigration, funds, travel plans, destination, health requirements, passage lists. There is also correspondence from settlers in Paraguay and Mennonites exiled to northern Russia.

    • Negotiation between Germany/Holland and Brazil/Paraguay. – January 27, 1929.
    • Negotiating in Berlin. – October 25, 1929.
    • Sawatsky – information regarding South America. – November 1, 1929.
    • Progress report; tensions with Ottawa. – November 23, 1929.
    • Johann Ediger – account of trip from Germany to Paraguay. – December 6, 1929.
    • Accounts of several meetings. – December 12, 1929.
    • Kratz to Toews – appeal to Canada. – December 16, 1929.
    • Kratz to Unruh – urge action for exiles in Russia. – December 19, 1929.
    • Reports regarding negotiations. – December 30–31, 1929.
    • Mrs. Ediger – life in Paraguay. – January 3, 1930.
    • Reports, telegrams; German funds for Paraguay. – January 14, 1930.
    • List of materials needed for Paraguay. – January 15, 1930.
    • Letter to Unruh form Lindequist (Berlin). – January 22, 1930.
    • Unruh to Kratz and Sawatsky. – January 24, 1930.
    • Report MCC guarantee passage to Paraguay. – January 30, 1930.
    • Letters from Krim [Crimea] – conditions. – February 2, 1930.
    • Heinrich Martens describes arrival in Brazil: six-point Immigration policy. – February 4, 1930.
    • deJong – concern over number of immigrants. – February 11, 1930.
    • Martens report – settlement in Brazil. – February 16, 1930.
    • Brazil regulations for immigrants. – February 18, 1930.
    • Unruh to Bender – negotiations. – March 1, 1930.
    • Report from Brazil. – March 7, 1930.
    • Report from Paraguay. – March 10, 1930.
    • Card from Russia exile of people. – March 28, 1930.
    • Brazil – after third Mennonite transport arrived. – March 30, 1930.
    • Unruh report. – March 7, 1930.
    • Situation in Russia. – June 6–8, 1930.
    • Refugee camps in Germany. – July 1–18, 1930.
    • Reports of progress with negotiations. – July 18 – October 31, 1930.
    • Russia – letters. – December 29, 1930.
    • Government letters re costs. – January 10, 1931.
    • Relief to Russia. – March 3, 1931.
    • Letters – Russia; list of immigrants to Brazil. – March 25, 1931.
    • Plans for aid to Russia. – April 29, 1931.
    • Discussion regarding transport to Brazil. – Macy 23, 1931.
    • Immigration negotiations. – May 26 – July 3, 1931.
    • Transport information. – August 6–15, 1931.
    • Discuss destination. – September 15, 1931.
    • Help for Mennonites in China. – September 14, 1931.
    • Information regarding relief to Russia. – September 18, 1931.
    • Harbin refugees. – September 22 – December 31, 1931.
  11. CMRIC (Canadian Mennonite Relief and Immigration Council), letters from B.H. Unruh. – 1932–1940.
    This file contains the correspondence of Benjamin H. Unruh with regard to helping Mennonites in Russia and the Harbin, China refugees. Most of the letters are reports to C.F. Klassen. Also included are:

    • Letters to and from the German Red Cross.
    • Letters to and from Dr. Ewald Ammende of the European Nationality Congress.
    • Lists of refugees.
  12. Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization “Group Emigration 403” to Paraguay and other. – 1946–1948.
    This file contains information with regard to the “Group emigration 403”, 1946–1948. Included are:

    • Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization application form and affirmation / witness form.
    • Plea to all Mennonite Congregations and congregational leaders in Saskatchewan and Manitoba for travel money.
    • Lists of Mennonite immigrants to Paraguay.
    • Correspondence between P.C. Hiebert and C.A. DeFehr about DeFehr’s work in Paraguay and Uruguay.
    • Letter explaining donation for work in Paraguay from Mennonite couples in Steinbach.
  13. Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization correspondence and reports. – 1952–1958. – note: also included are report books from 1955, 1957.
  14. Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization correspondence, reports and minutes. – 1960–1964.
  15. Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization correspondence, reports. – 1922–1938.
  16. Photocopies of correspondence regarding relief to Russian Mennonites. – 1929–1930.
    This file contains the correspondence in connection with American relief to Russian Mennonites of the year 1929. Most letter are written by David Toews or P.C. Hiebert to each other. Also included are:

    • Thank you letters from Mennonites in Russia.
    • Lists of congregations and individuals in Canada and the United States who have travel debts.
    • Letters to C.F. Klassen with regard to funds in his supervision.
    • Letters to and from Mr. and Mrs. Kratz, Philadelphia.
  17. Correspondence regarding Immigration to Canada. – 1923–1924.
    This file contains the correspondence of P.H. Unruh and B.B. Janz with regard to Mennonite immigration to Canada in 1923. Some letters are illegible and some are in Russia. Other materials include:

    • Letters reporting conditions among Mennonites in Russia.
    • Letters to administrators in Russia regarding efforts to improve conditions among Mennonites in Russia.
    • Letters to Mennonite congregations in North America pleading for financial aid.
    • Letters to Mennonite colonization organizations in North America.
    • Protokoll of meeting of [Soviet?] union of citizens of Dutch descent in the Ukraine.
  18. Reports by B.H. Unruh. – 1936–1939.
  19. Correspondence to or from C.F. Klassen, some by B.H. Unruh. – 1927–1937.
  20. Reports by C.F. Klassen regarding transportation and travel debts. – 1931–1945.
  21. Agendas, reports, and correspondence regarding non-resistance. Correspondence with MCC (Akron) board members.

Volume 1000

  1. Agendas, reports and correspondence regarding peace issues, non-resistance, and alternative service. – 1941–1953.
  2. Reports on refugees. – 1945–1953.
  3. MCC reports and correspondence. – 1921–1946.
  4. Reports and correspondence regarding colonization. – 1926–1968.
  5. Articles and reports regarding life in Russia. – 1921, undated.
  6. Russian and Dutch documents. – 1917–1933.
  7. Correspondence by and from Klassen. – 1939–1954.
  8. Reports and speeches by C.F. Klassen. – 1930–1951.
  9. Bibliographic material. – 1944–1954.
  10. Miscellaneous printed material not by C.F. Klassen.
  11. “Auszuge aus Mennonitische Blaetter,” 58 typed pages.
  12. Russian documents. – 1918, 1922.

Photograph file list

Collection Number: NP010-01 – Mrs. H.F. Klassen Photograph Collection

  • NP010-01:1 Plenary Council of the Conference of the All Russian Evangelical Christian Union. December 6, 1926, Leningrad. Mrs H.F. Klassen: Elmwood, MB Church. Photographs of Russia, Europe and North America.
  • NP010-01:2 Germany after World War II.
  • NP010-01:3 Dr Harold S. Bender.
  • NP010-01:4 Immigrants in Germany (MCC in Europe).
  • NP010-01:5 Velma Graber, MCC, Europe in clothing distribution center.
  • NP010-01:6 Newly constructed buildings, MCC, Europe.
  • NP010-01:7 MCC Bakery for refugees in Europe.
  • NP010-01:8 Construction of MCC, Europe.
  • NP010-01:9 Fredesheim (Hoofdgebovw) MCC meeting place in Holland.
  • NP010-01:10 Fredesheim (Hoofdgebowv) MCC meeting place in Holland.
  • NP010-01:11 Immigrants leaving homeland.
  • NP010-01:12 Peter Dyck and MCC workers in Europe.
  • NP010-01:13 Mennonite Emigrants from Germany.
  • NP010-01:14 Refugees gathering fuel in Germany.
  • NP010-01:15 Immigrants in Germany (ladies).
  • NP010-01:16 Refugee shelter in Europe (?).
  • NP010-01:17 Peter Dyck (right) and a refugee.
  • NP010-01:18 Group of people (?) (3 copies).
  • NP010-01:19 C.F. Klassen (2 copies).
  • NP010-01:20 Dutch Mennonite (Doopsgezinde Kirchenrat) 1912 Hoelkema, friend of C.F. Klassen.
  • NP010-01:21 C.F. Klassen & MCC Workers in Europe.
  • NP010-01:22 Mr. and Mrs. Abe Friesen, first missionaries to India 1902 – 4 (2 copies).
  • NP010-01:23 Mr. & Mrs. Abr. J. Friesen, first missionaries to Nalgonda, India.
  • NP010-01:24 Mrs. Abr. Friesen working with Indians.
  • NP010-01:25 Mission in India.
  • NP010-01:26 Korn. Unruh, Centralschule Teacher, Orloff, Molotschna.
  • NP010-01:27 Citizenship Conference, Dec 4–5, 1961, Ottawa, ON (Mr. H.F. Klassen attending).

Collection Number: NP052-01 – C.F. Klassen Photograph Collection

  • NP052-01:1 The MB Church in Coaldale, AB – 1931.
  • C.F. Klassen: Photographs of Coaldale, Alberta,Specifically the visit of Sir. Edward Beatty and Col. J.S. Dennis – September 19, 1937.
  • NP052-01:2 The Bible-school – 1936.
  • NP052-01:3 Introductions to Sir. Edward Beatty.
  • NP052-01:4 Same as above.
  • NP052-01:5 On the platform for the ceremony.
  • NP052-01:6 Sir. Beatty being presented with an illuminated address (2 copies) See also NP36-1-2.
  • NP052-01:7 Photograph of the address.
    The Illuminated address presented by the Mennonite Settlers of Coaldale to Sir. Edward Beatty (president of the CPR) Sep 19, 1937.
  • NP052-01:8 Sir. Edward Beatty addressing the assembly.
  • NP052-01:9 Photograph of the address presented to Col. Dennis.
  • NP052-01:10 Col. Dennis being presented with an illuminated address (2 copies see also NP36-1-1.
  • NP052-01:11 After the reception.
  • NP052-01:12 Sir. Edward Beatty conversing with girls.
  • NP052-01:13 Same as above.
  • NP052-01:14 Leaving the reception.
  • NP052-01:15 Same as above.
  • NP052-01:16 Same as above.
  • NP052-01:17 Same as above.
  • NP052-01:18 Same as above.
  • NP052-01:19 Same as above.
  • NP052-01:20 Same as above.
  • NP052-01:21 Mr. D.P. Enns.
  • NP052-01:22 Offices of the Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization – Saskatchewan.
  • NP052-01:23 Same as above.

Collection Number: NP052-02
C.F. Klassen Photograph Collection C.F. Klassen: Photographs of Mennonite Churches in Canada

  • NP052-02:1 Zion Mennonite Church – Winnipeg, MB.
  • NP052-02:2 Nord-Ende MB Church – Winnipeg, MB.
  • NP052-02:3 South End MB Church – Winnipeg, MB.
  • NP052-02:4 North Kildonan MB Church – Winnipeg, MB.
  • NP052-02:5 North Kildonan Mennonite Church – Winnipeg, MB.
  • NP052-02:6 Mennonite Church – Springstein, MB.
  • NP052-02:7 MB Church – Springstein, MB.
  • NP052-02:8 MB Church – Niverville, MB.
  • NP052-02:9 Mennonite Church – Fork River, MB.
  • NP052-02:10 MB Church – Steinbach, MB.
  • NP052-02:11 Mennonite Church – Reinland, MB.
  • NP052-02:12 Mennonite Church – Rosenort, MB.
  • NP052-02:13 MB Church – Morden, MB.
  • NP052-02:14 MB Church – Manitou, MB.
  • NP052-02:15 Mennonite Church – Starbuck, MB.
  • NP052-02:16 MB Church – Arnaud, MB.
  • NP052-02:17 Mennonite Church – St. Elizabeth, MB.
  • NP052-02:18 Mennonite Church – Pigeon Lake, MB.
  • NP052-02:19 MB Church – Griswold, MB.
  • NP052-02:20 MB Church – Elm Creek, MB.
  • NP052-02:21 Mennonite Church – Grunthal, MB (East Reserve).
  • NP052-02:22 Mennonite Church – Grunthal, MB (East Reserve).
  • NP052-02:23 Mennonite Church – St. Anne, MB.
  • NP052-02:24 MB Church – La Salle, MB.
  • NP052-02:25 MB Church – Saskatoon, SK.
  • NP052-02:26 Mennonite City Mission – Saskatoon, SK.
  • NP052-02:27 Mennonite Church – Mayfair, SK.
  • NP052-02:28 MB Church – Mullingar, SK.
  • NP052-02:29 MB Church – Glenbush, SK.
  • NP052-02:30 Mennonite Church – Rabbit Lake, SK.
  • NP052-02:31 Mennonite Church – Dundurn, SK.
  • NP052-02:32 Mennonite Church – Hanley, SK.
  • NP052-02:33 MB Church – Watrous, SK.
  • NP052-02:34 Mennonite Church – Swift Current, SK.
  • NP052-02:35 Mennonite Church – Watrous, SK.
  • NP052-02:36 Mennonite Church – Wymark, SK.
  • NP052-02:37 Mennonite Church – Herschel, SK.
  • NP052-02:38 MB Church – Coaldale, AB.
  • NP052-02:39 MB Church – Coaldale, AB.
  • NP052-02:40 MB Church – Coaldale, AB.
  • NP052-02:41 MB Church – Coaldale, AB.
  • NP052-02:42 MB Church – Coaldale, AB.
  • NP052-02:43 MB Church – Coaldale, AB.
  • NP052-02:44 Mennonite Church – Rosemary, AB.
  • NP052-02:45 Mennonite Church – Rosemary, AB.
  • NP052-02:46 MB Church – Gem, AB.
  • NP052-02:47 MB Church – Gem, AB.
  • NP052-02:48 Mennonite Church – Peace River, AB (Wembly).
  • NP052-02:49 Mennonite Church – Didsbury, AB (Burns Ranch).
  • NP052-02:50 Mennonite Church – Springs Ridge, AB.
  • NP052-02:51 Mennonite Church – Coaldale, AB.
  • NP052-02:52 Mennonite Church – Peace River, AB (Beaver Lodge).
  • NP052-02:53 Mennonite Church – Peace River, AB (Lymburn).
  • NP052-02:54 MB Church – Namaka, BC.
  • NP052-02:55 MB Church – Namaka, BC.
  • NP052-02:56 Mennonite Church – Vancouver, BC.
  • NP052-02:57 MB Church – Yarrow, BC.
  • NP052-02:58 MB Church – Abbotsford, BC.
  • NP052-02:59 MB Church – Abbotsford, BC.
  • NP052-02:60 Mennonite Church – Sardis, BC.
  • NP052-02:61 MB Church – Sardis, BC.
  • NP052-02:62 MB Church – Black Creek, BC.
  • NP052-02:63 Mennonite Church – Abbotsford, BC.
  • NP052-02:64 MB Church – Kitchener, ON.
  • NP052-02:65 Mennonite Church – Waterloo, ON.
  • NP052-02:66 Mennonite Church – Vineland, ON.
  • NP052-02:67 Mennonite Church – Virgil, ON.
  • NP052-02:68 Mennonite Church – Leamington, ON.
  • NP052-02:69 Mennonite Church – Leamington, ON.
  • NP052-02:70 Mennonite Church – Reesor, ON.
  • NP052-02:71 Mennonite Church – Reesor, ON.
  • NP052-02:72 Mennonite Home for Mentally Ill – Vineland, ON.
  • NP052-02:73 MB Church – Vineland, ON.
  • NP052-02:74 Hospital – Steinbach, MB.
  • NP052-02:75 Hospital – Winkler, MB.
  • NP052-02:76 Home Office – Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization – Rosthern, SK.
  • NP052-02:77 Mennonite Collegiate Institute – Gretna, MB.
  • NP052-02:78 Hospital – Altona, MB.

Audio recordings file list

  • NA-18-07 C.F. Klassen [to his family in North America for Christmas]. – 1952. – sides 1+2. – Note: transferred from wire recording NW2.
  • NA-18-08 Reports from MCC Workers in Germany/ Margaret Janzen. – May 16, 1950. – sides 1+2. – Note: transferred from wire recording NW5.
  • NA-16-03 to NA-16-04 Memorial Service for C.F. Klassen [In memory of C.F. Klassen]/ Hege, Ulrich et.al. – 1954. – sides 1+2.
  • NA-16-05 Gronau Gesprache: Dr. Mueller gives an account of C.F. Klassen’s hospital stay and death. Also speaking is Schwester Wilhelmina, a hospital nurse. – 1954. – side 2.
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