MHSA Archival Description Record
Title and Physical Description
Vauxhall Mennonite Church fonds. — 1939-2000. — 3 cm of textual records
Administrative/Biographical History
The organization of the Vauxhall Mennonite Church began in 1936 with
John J. Dick's efforts to canvas the district for General Conference
Church members who had moved into the area during that decade. Twelve
families formed the nucleus, who initially worshipped together with
Mennonite Brethren members in their homes. It was always understood
that each would eventually have their own congregational buildings.
Formal organization of the Vauxhall Mennonite Church took place in 1938
and in that year they moved and renovated a small building to serve
as their place of worship. The first Church executive consisted of Wilhelm
Martens (Chairman), John Mierau (Secretary Treasurer) and Henry Fast
(Member at Large). Martens was the congregation's lead minister as early
as 1937. Due to his role as Aeltester, he needed to be away for weeks
at a time to perform baptismal, communion and marriage services in other
congregations as well, the church was fortunate to have other ministers
to serve the Vauxhall congregation: Rev. Franz Janzen and Rev. Gerhard
Neufeld. After Martens' departure, Janzen and Neufeld carried on for
about two years, but Martens was formally replaced in 1959 by Jacob
Krause. Krause also served the nearby Hays Mennonite Mission Church.
About that time, transitions from German-language services to use of
English and from voluntary to salaried ministerial support added strains
to the combined congregations. Jake Wiebe from the Taber Mennonite Church
provided ministerial services for a time, then followed by Menno I.
Bergen, and others over the years.
The women of the congregation established their own meetings in 1939
already, serving as a social outlet, an opportunity to worship together,
and preparing aid items for sending overseas.
During World War II, the congregation was scrutinized by authorities
and area residents because of their use of the German language. This
was seen as an indication that they might be Nazi sympathizers. Community
reaction was so strong that both this and the Mennonite Brethren church
buildings were burned to the ground on Jun 18, 1940. Arson was determined
to be the cause, but no charges were laid in the hopes that this might
improve relations with their non-Mennonite neighbours.
In 1950 there were 51 members; in 1965, 53; in 1985, 34; in 1995, 36;
in October 2000 it dissolved and the 36 members found other places to
worship. The congregation was affiliated with Mennonite Church Alberta
(1938-2000), Mennonite Church Canada (1940-2000) and the General Conference
Mennonite Church (1962-1999).
The group was originally called the Vauxhall-Grantham church. It amalgamated
with Hays Mennonite Mission about 1962. It also owned and operated a
cemetery together with the Mennonite Brethren.
Custodial History
The records were donated to the MHSA in 2003
Scope & Content
The fonds consists of membership records
Variations in Title Proper
Also known as Vauxhall-Grantham Mennonite Church fonds
Source of Supplied Title
Title based on the contents of the fonds
Source of Acquisition
Anonymous Gift
Arrangement
According to Subject and date.
Access Restrictions
Access to personal information in church registers is subject to MHSA
privacy policy
Finding Aids
See Files Inventory
Associated Materials
Associated records may be found at the Mennonite
Heritage Centre
Related Materials
For books related to the fonds, see:
- Harder, Anne (2001). The Vauxhall Mennonite Church. Calgary,
AB: Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta
- Dick, C.L. (1981). Conference of Mennonites in Alberta History.
Calgary: Conference of Mennonites in Alberta.
Notes
Accession 2003.025
Also known as Vauxhall-Grantham Mennonite Church
Last updated 13 Oct 2007 - Judith Rempel
Sources:
- Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopaedia Online <http://www.mhsc.ca/encyclopedia/contents/v3883me.html>.
- Harder, Anne (2001). The Vauxhall Mennonite Church. Calgary,
AB: Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta
- Dick, C.L. (1981). Conference of Mennonites in Alberta History.
Calgary: Conference of Mennonites in Alberta.
Files Inventory
Box 1
1 - 1 Transfer Papers, Notices, etc. - 1975-2000
1 - 2 Church Register Book - 1950-approx 1962 [separated to vertical
file box #3]
1 - 3 Register of Baptisms, Marriages, Deaths and Funerals - 1939-2000
[copy; original returned to Government of Alberta]
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