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Black Creek Mennonite Brethren Church, Black Creek, BC.

The Black Creek Mennonite Brethren Church, 11 miles (18 km) north of Courtenay, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, is a member of the British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. On 30 December 1934, a group of seventeen Christians began plans for the formation of what was to become the Black Creek Mennonite Brethren Church. The decision was formalized 6 January 1935, with 34 members under the leadership of Franz Friesen, who served as the first pastor. After considerable discussion, the name Merville Mennonite Brethren Church was chosen, since, at that time, Merville, British Columbia was the closest post office. However, as of a 1 February 1937 meeting, the official name was changed to Black Creek Mennonite Brethren Church. During this same meeting, members also decided to seek affiliation with the British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.

Land for a building site was donated by a Mr. Goertzen and Henry Falk, and a five-dollar per member levy also helped cover costs. The building was dedicated December 1937, and with a 150 seating capacity, served the church until 1953. At this time a new structure, seating about 200 people, was built almost entirely with volunteer labour. The new building was dedicated 11 April 1954 with J. F. Redekop and Johannes A. Harder as guest speakers.

In 1960, the congregation hired Johannes A. Harder as its first paid pastor - John A. Goerz had been the first paid minister. Harder served the church for three years, helping it through a difficult transition to English-language services.

A foyer section with additional Sunday school classes was added in the summer of 1966, and, in 1973, a two storey educational wing was added.

In 2010 the congregation had a membership of 242 and an average attendance of 178.

Bibliography

Author(s)	John A. Goerz
	Hugo Friesen
Date Published	November 2010

Mennonite Brethren Herald (27 May 1988): 13.

Archival Records

Microfilmed records at Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies.

Additional Information

Address: 7898 Island Highway, Black Creek BC V9J 1G5

Phone: 250-337-5423

Church website: Black Creek MB Church

Denominational Affiliations:

British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1935-present)

Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1935-present)

General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches of North America (1935-2002)

Black Creek MB Ministers

Minister	Years
Jacob Falk	1940-1942
John A. Goerz	1942-1956
Jacob B. Falk	1956-1960
Jacob Schoenke	1940-1960
Cornelius Thiessen	1956-1960
Bernard Falk	1956-1960
Alvin Philippsen	1956-1960
Abert Wedel	1956-1960
Johannes A. Harder	1960-1963
John E. Klassen	1963-1974
Albert Durksen	1975-1980
John Falk	1981-1985
Alvin Philippsen	1985-1986
Barry Falk	1987-present

Black Creek MB Membership

Year	Membership
1935	25
1941	45
1945	27
1950	52
1955	69
1960	89
1965	91
1970	95
1975	82
1980	75
1985	75
1990	69
1995	128
2000	163
2004	205
2010	242

Maps

Map:Black Creek MB Church (Black Creek, BC)

Cite This Article

MLA style

Goerz, John A. and Hugo Friesen. "Black Creek Community Church (Black Creek, British Columbia, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. November 2010. Web. 16 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Black_Creek_Community_Church_(Black_Creek,_British_Columbia,_Canada)&oldid=114590.

APA style

Goerz, John A. and Hugo Friesen. (November 2010). Black Creek Community Church (Black Creek, British Columbia, Canada). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 16 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Black_Creek_Community_Church_(Black_Creek,_British_Columbia,_Canada)&oldid=114590.

Black Creek Community Church (Black Creek, British Columbia, Canada)

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