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Penner, Peter (1925–2021)

Proper Title

Peter Penner fonds

Dates of Creation

1928–1989; predominantly 1982–1984

Physical Description

53 cm of textual records, four photographs, and five audio cassettes

Biographical Sketch

Peter Penner, professor of history at Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, spent numerous years in several provinces working in Christian mission ventures. He wrote many articles for Mennonite publications, and is the author of several books, including Reaching the Unreached and No Longer at Arms Length. He died in 2021. See his obituary.

Custodial History

The material was collected by Peter Penner primarily in 1982–1984. After the book was finished he donated the material to the Centre on July 4, 1989. In August of the same year the rest of the files arrived and were incorporated into the collection (see file #25). The audio cassettes were deposited at an unknown time.

Scope and Content

This collection of material consists primarily of research conducted by Penner in preparation for the writing of his book No Longer at Arms Length: Mennonite Brethren Church Planting in Canada. It contains photocopies and some original documents that he collected for this project. Topical files and cards files are the primary material in this collection. Some correspondence and a questionnaire can also be found in the material. In addition to the textual material, there are five audio cassettes which record presentations Penner gave on topics such as Mennonites in Russia and the Church’s mission and outreach.

Notes

  • Volumes 1026, 1027.
  • Described by Conrad Stoesz November 8, 1999.
  • Accession nos. 1989–7.
  • Location: textual: Personal collection “P”, Audio: NA-02–05, NA-02–81–84.
  • Related Material:
    • Henry Brucks fonds, audio cassette NA-15–123.

File List

Volume 1026

Textual

  1. Card file of church planted and their pastors. – 1983.
  2. Card file of research notes regarding Home Missions ca.1883–1959. – 1983.
  3. Card file of research notes regarding Home Missions ca.1960–1980. – 1983.
  4. Mennonites in Newfoundland. – 1954–1979.
  5. CSSM (Canadian Sunday School Mission) research. – 1928–1945, 1950–1953, 1959, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1977, 1980–1982, 1986, 1987, and three photographs [ca. 1975].
  6. DVBS (Daily Vacation Bible School) research. – 1964, 1983.
  7. Ron Friesen MB church, Vancouver correspondence and research paper. – [ca. 1980], 1983, 1986.
  8. Hutterites. – [ca. 1983].
  9. Para church research and correspondence. – 1983, 1984.
  10. British Columbia. – 1956, 1960, 1962, 1965, 1973, 1981–1988.
  11. Mennonite Brethren Missions of Saskatchewan, The Challenger. – 1933, 1942, 1944, 1945, 1947–1949, 1951–1955, 1961–1979, 1983.
  12. “Questionnaire: The Mennonite Brethren Home Missionary or Church Extension Worker (1935–1980)”. – 1981–1983.
  13. Alberta. – 1974, 1976, 1981–1983, 1985, 1986.
  14. Pries, and one photograph. – 1928, 1931–1933, 1981, 1983.
  15. Williams Lake. – 1964, 1965, 1983.
  16. Winkler MB Church. – 1949, 1950, 1973.
  17. Henry Brucks. – 1977, 1978, 1980–1987.
  18. Erdman H. Nickel. – 1984.
  19. Quebec. – 1966, 1979, 1980–1984.
  20. Saskatchewan. – 1967, 1973, 1982–1984, 1985, 1987.
  21. Ontario. – 1950, 1981–1984, 1986.
  22. Manitoba. – 1957, 1958, 1960, 1970, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1981–1983.
  23. Lindal. – 1956, 1966, 1976, 1982.
  24. Indians. – 1969, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1984.
  25. Manitoba MB Mission. – 1970–1974, 1977–1983, 1988, 1989.
  26. Western Children Mission. – 1937–1941, 1944–1946, 1952.
  27. United Church Manitoba. – 1943–1945, 1981, 1982, 1984.
  28. Vanderhoof. – 1962, 1982.
  29. Tract Mission. – 1951, [ca. 1955].
  30. Gospel Light Hour. – 1960, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1987.

Volume 1027

1. Peter Penner, Sackville, New Brunswick materials written by. – 1973, 1982.
2. Research files on Canadian MB Home Missions (1883–1980). – 1983–1984.
3. Peter Penner, “No longer at Arms Length...”, manuscript. – 1984.

Audio

  1. Peter Penner, “Mennonites in Russia”, side 1+2. – [19-]. Location: NA-02–05.
  2. Peter Penner, “Commentary”, Kamloops, Williams Lake, Mile 108, Quesnel, Prince George, Ft. St. John & Dawson Creek, side 1. – July 2, 1982. Location: NA-02–81.
  3. Peter Penner, “Lower Fraser Valley & Vancouver Church Planting Situation”, side 2, June 24, 1982. Location: NA-02–81.
  4. Peter Penner, “Ontario Conference Outreach 1950–1980”, side 2. – August 19, 1982. Location: NA-02–82.
  5. Peter Penner, “Manitoba MB Outreach, Past and Present”, side 1. – August 17, 1982. Location: NA-02–82.
  6. Peter Penner, “On the Northern Saskatchewan Churches”, side 2. – July 18, 1982. Location: NA-02–83
  7. Peter Penner, “Observations and Insights re: Alberta Church Planting”, side 1. – July 12, 1982. Location: NA-02–83.
  8. Peter Penner, “Crucial Lessons – Home Missions”, Three Hills, Alberta, side 1+2. – July 10, 1982. Location: NA-02–84.
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