Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta

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MHSA Archival Description Record

Title and Physical Description
West Zion Mennonite Church (Carstairs) fonds. -- 2001. -- 2 cm of textual records

Administrative History
The West Zion Mennonite Church began services and formally organized in 1901 and is located near Carstairs. The first building was occupied in 1902, with a subsequent building program in 1932. The congregation has been affiliated with the Northwest Mennonite Conference (1903-) and the Mennonite Church. The language of worship is English. The congregation originated through colonization of Alberta from Ontario, but was unusual for its time, as half the membership in the 1950s was of British descent.

The first Mennonite to settle in the Carstairs-Didsbury area was Andrew Weber, who came from Ontario in 1894. The main settlement was made in April 1901. Israel R. Shantz is considered the founding leader of the group. Ministers who served prior to 1960 included Israel R. Shantz, Amos Weber, Moses H. Schmitt, Noah R. Weber, Henry Weber, Allan Good, Norman Buschert, Alvin Steckly, Abe Reist, Ezra Stauffer, Linford Hackman, Henry J. Harder and Gordon Buschert.

Custodial History
Gift by West Zion Mennonite Church to Mennonite Church Alberta. The records were donated to the MHSA in July 2002.

Scope & Content
The fonds consists of a centennial scrapbook and essays.

Source of Supplied Title
Title based on the contents of the fonds

Source of Acquisition
Gift by Mennonites Church Alberta through Henry Goerzen, MCA Archivist

Arrangement
According to Subject and date

Access Restrictions
None

Finding Aids
See File Inventory

Related Materials
Northwest Conference Mennonite fonds located at Historal Library & Archives (Goshen, IN)

Accruals
Expected

Notes
Accession 2002.015
Last updated 21 Apr 2002 - Judith Rempel

Files Inventory

1-1 Centennial Scrapbook - 2001
1-2 Alvin Steckly - 2001
1-3 "Being a Mennonite" - 2001

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