Bethel Community Church (Mennonite) (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)
In early 1960 several members of the Bethel Mennonite Church in Winnipeg formed a temporary board of trustees with the goal of establishing an "outpost" church of the parent Bethel congregation. On 23 April 1961 the 51 members of the newly formed Elmwood Bethel Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, held a dedication service commemorating the establishment of their new church home on the corner of Talbot and Allen in Elmwood. Serving as leaders during these early years were Peter Schmidt, 1961-1962, as the church's interim lay minister and Henry P. Friesen, 1962-1970, as the church's first full time minister. In 1973, with a membership of over 150 and limited space, the congregation decided to purchase the former St. Giles United Church building at the corner of Burrows and Charles, thus becoming known as Burrows Bethel Church. Bob Peters led the congregation during this transition, serving from 1970-1974. Other pastors serving at Burrows Bethel Church were: Walter Braun, 1975-1977, Ken Heppner 1978-1988 and Ken Poysti, 1989-1995. By early 1996 attendance had dropped to approximately 70 and the congregation decided upon another move, this time sharing accommodations with Gordon King Memorial United Church on Coburg Street. Twenty-five families moved to this new location, and then called themselves Bethel Community Church (Mennonite).
On 23 June 1997 the congregation decided that Bethel Community Church (Mennonite) should be dissolved. A final service of closure was held on 24 August 1997. The congregation's last address was 127 Cobourg Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Interim Pastor Bernie Wiebe served in 1996/97 as a congregational leader. Carol Olafson served the last months of the congregation's life. In 1975 there were 165 members; in 1985, 156; in 1995, 149. The congregation was been affiliated with the Conference of Mennonites in Manitoba (1962-1997) and the Conference of Mennonites in Canada (1962-1997) The language of worship was English.
Bibliography
Canadian Mennonite (14 April 1961): 4.
Mennonite Reporter (6 September 1993): 14; (18 March 1996): 17; (17 February 1997): 14.
25th Anniversary Album: Burrows Bethel Church 1961-1986. 1986.
A 25 Year History: Burrows Bethel Church 1961-1986. 1986.
Archives at Mennonite Heritage Centre
| Author(s) | Marlene Epp |
|---|---|
| Samuel J. Steiner | |
| Date Published | January 1998 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Epp, Marlene and Samuel J. Steiner. "Bethel Community Church (Mennonite) (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. January 1998. Web. 23 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Bethel_Community_Church_(Mennonite)_(Winnipeg,_Manitoba,_Canada)&oldid=165580.
APA style
Epp, Marlene and Samuel J. Steiner. (January 1998). Bethel Community Church (Mennonite) (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 23 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Bethel_Community_Church_(Mennonite)_(Winnipeg,_Manitoba,_Canada)&oldid=165580.
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