Fonds BF505; Microfilm: R43-R45. - Main Centre Mennonite Brethren Church fonds

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Main Centre Mennonite Brethren Church fonds

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Fonds

Reference code

CA CMBS BF505; Microfilm: R43-R45.

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  • 1904-1985 (Creation)

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3 cm textual records
3 reels microfilm

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Administrative history

The Main Centre Mennonite Brethren was founded June 1904 by recently arrived settlers from Steinbach, Manitoba. Main Centre is located 50 km east-north-east of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, and just north of Herbert. It was founded by 15 charter members and began worship under the leadership of Benjamin Janz. The church met in Main Centre school until the construction of a church building in 1907; this building was in continuous use until at least the 1980s. The first baptism was held on 16 August 1905. In 1915 they hosted the North District Conference of the Mennonite Brethren (later known as the Canadian Conference). Membership peaked in 1937 at 239. The economic oppression of the Great Depression forced many farmer- members to move to British Columbia or to other, more fertile, parts of Saskatchewan. The pastor at Main Centre Mennonite Brethren Church in 1999 was Kenneth Epp and membership was 74. Ministers, leaders, and pastors at Main Centre have included Benjamin Janz (1904-1915), Jacob D. Ewert (1906-1917), Johann P. Wiebe (1917-1923), Henry P. Janz (1924-1932), Jacob A. Martens (1924-1927, 1929-1940), Klaas Ewert (1928), Nick P. Janz (1923-1935, 1943-1950), Jacob F. Redekop (1932-1945), Abram P. Janz (1940-1941), Abram D. Remple (1941-1943), John D. Goertzen (1943-1953, 1954-1956), Johann Siemens (1953-1954, 1956, 1958-1961), Abram Goerz (1956-1958), Abram Siebert (1958), Rudy Heidebrecht (1960), David Epp (1961- 1969), Edward Hamm (1969-1973), Alvin Hamm (1973-1979), and Murray Unruh (1980-1984). Reg Toews was pastor (?— 1988 —?). Main Centre Mennonite Brethren Church has also been known as the Bethel Mennonite Brethren at Main Centre, Saskatchewan.

Custodial history

The Historical Commission of the Mennonite Brethren Conference microfilmed many of the records in 1978. .

Scope and content

This fonds consists of the following series: Historical notes, annual reports, church bulletins, membership and family records, and congregational meeting and Jugendverein meeting minutes.

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No restrictions on access.

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Series description and file list available.

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Mainly German.

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  • English

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