Difference between revisions of "South Abbotsford Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)"

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[[File:SouthAbbotsford.jpg|400px|thumb|right|''South Abbotsford Church, Abbotsford, BC<br />
+
[[File:SAMB 1936.jpg|300px|thumbnail|right|''South Abbotsford MB Church, 1936. <br />
 +
Source: MHSBC Archives F55-S10-2014.106.001''.]]
 +
[[File:SouthAbbotsford1943.jpg|300px|thumbnail|right|''South Abbotsford MB Church, 1943.<br />
 +
Photo by Jack Lindsay, Vancouver News-Herald (9 December 1943).<br />
 +
Source: [http://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/south-poplar-mennonite-church City of Vancouver Archives]''.]]
 +
[[File:SouthAbbotsford2.jpg|300px|thumbnail|right|''South Abbotsford MB Church, ca. 1968.<br />
 +
Source: [http://www.thereach.ca/photo/p22793 The Reach P22793]''.]]
 +
[[File:SouthAbbotsford1980s.jpg|300px|thumbnail|right|''South Abbotsford MB Church, ca. 1985.<br />
 +
Source: MHSBC Archives.'']]
 +
[[File:SouthAbbotsford.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''South Abbotsford Church, Abbotsford, BC, 2007<br />
 
Source: D. Giesbrecht'']]
 
Source: D. Giesbrecht'']]
−
South Abbotsford Church has the distinction of being the first [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren]] (MB) church established in the Matsqui-[[Abbotsford (British Columbia, Canada)|Abbotsford]] area of the [[Fraser Valley (British Columbia, Canada)|Fraser Valley]] in [[British Columbia (Canada)|British Columbia]]. The church formally organized on 1 May 1932 as the Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren Church while meeting in the Farmers Institute Hall on Clearbrook Road. After the congregation divided into [[Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|North Abbotsford MB Church]] and South Abbotsford MB Church, South Abbotsford built its first structure on the corner of Huntingdon and Gladwin Roads in 1936. A subsequent structure was built on the corner of Huntingdon and Columbia Roads in order to accommodate a growing attendance. A subsequent building program in 1990s resulted from an additional surge in attendance.
+
South Abbotsford Church has the distinction of being the first [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren]] (MB) church established in the Matsqui-[[Abbotsford (British Columbia, Canada)|Abbotsford]] area of the [[Fraser Valley (British Columbia, Canada)|Fraser Valley]] in [[British Columbia (Canada)|British Columbia]]. The church formally organized on 1 May 1932 as the Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren Church while meeting in the Farmers Institute Hall on Clearbrook Road. After the congregation divided into [[Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|North Abbotsford MB Church]] and South Abbotsford MB Church in 1935, South Abbotsford built its first structure on the corner of Huntingdon and Gladwin Roads. The completed building was dedicated on 1 March 1936. Eventually, towers were added to the front of the church to allow for Sunday school rooms. The church experienced continued growth and the congregation purchased property on the corner of Huntingdon and Columbia Roads, where a newly constructed sanctuary was completed in October 1954. A dedication service was held on 10 October 1954. A subsequent building program in the 1990s resulted from an additional surge in attendance.
  
 
[[Rempel, Abram D. (1889-1971)|Abram D. Rempel]] is considered the founding leader of the group; he continued in office until 1945. [[Nikkel, Henry H. (1896-1985)|Henry H. Nikkel]] followed Rempel as congregational leader. Other leaders prior to 1960 included Frank Janzen, [[Thiessen, Franz C. (1881-1950)|Franz C. Thiessen]], [[Redekop, Jacob F. (1895-1959)|Jacob F. Redekop]], Jacob Wedel, Jacob Bargen, Isaak Janzen, [[Voth, Herman (1915-2010)|Herman Voth]] and [[Stobbe, John J. (1902-1976)|John J. Stobbe]].
 
[[Rempel, Abram D. (1889-1971)|Abram D. Rempel]] is considered the founding leader of the group; he continued in office until 1945. [[Nikkel, Henry H. (1896-1985)|Henry H. Nikkel]] followed Rempel as congregational leader. Other leaders prior to 1960 included Frank Janzen, [[Thiessen, Franz C. (1881-1950)|Franz C. Thiessen]], [[Redekop, Jacob F. (1895-1959)|Jacob F. Redekop]], Jacob Wedel, Jacob Bargen, Isaak Janzen, [[Voth, Herman (1915-2010)|Herman Voth]] and [[Stobbe, John J. (1902-1976)|John J. Stobbe]].
  
−
The congregation’s members helped establish churches such as [[Matsqui Mennonite Brethren Church (Matsqui, British Columbia, Canada)|Matsqui Mennonite Brethren]] Church (1944), [[Ross Road Community Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|East Aldergrove Mennonite Brethren]] Church (1947), [[South Otter Mennonite Brethren Church (Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada)|Otter Road Mennonite Brethren]] Church (1947), [[Central Heights Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Central Heights Mennonite Brethren]] Church (1949), [[Bakerview Mennonite Brethren Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Bakerview Mennonite Brethren]] Church (1966) and [[King Road Mennonite Brethren Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|King Road Mennonite Brethren]] Church (1966) incurring a reduction in membership in the process.
+
The congregation’s members helped establish churches such as [[Matsqui Mennonite Brethren Church (Matsqui, British Columbia, Canada)|Matsqui Mennonite Brethren]] Church (1944), [[Ross Road Community Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|East Aldergrove Mennonite Brethren]] Church (1947), [[South Otter Mennonite Brethren Church (Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada)|Otter Road Mennonite Brethren]] Church (1947), [[Central Heights Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Central Heights Mennonite Brethren]] Church (1949), [[Bakerview Mennonite Brethren Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Bakerview Mennonite Brethren]] Church (1966) and [[King Road Mennonite Brethren Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|King Road Mennonite Brethren]] Church (1966), incurring a reduction in membership in the process.
  
 
Additionally, South Abbotsford sought to accommodate academic needs in the Fraser Valley. The congregation started South Abbotsford Bible School in 1936 under the leadership of [[Peters, Cornelius C. (1889-1973)|Cornelius C. Peters]]. Classes were suspended in 1941, but the school restarted in 1943 and was called Bethel Bible School (later known as [[Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute,]] then Columbia Bible Institute, now [[Columbia Bible College (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)| Columbia Bible College]]), which met in the church facilities. Also, in 1944, the [[Mennonite Educational Institute (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Mennonite Educational Institute]] was first housed in this church.
 
Additionally, South Abbotsford sought to accommodate academic needs in the Fraser Valley. The congregation started South Abbotsford Bible School in 1936 under the leadership of [[Peters, Cornelius C. (1889-1973)|Cornelius C. Peters]]. Classes were suspended in 1941, but the school restarted in 1943 and was called Bethel Bible School (later known as [[Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute,]] then Columbia Bible Institute, now [[Columbia Bible College (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)| Columbia Bible College]]), which met in the church facilities. Also, in 1944, the [[Mennonite Educational Institute (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Mennonite Educational Institute]] was first housed in this church.
  
−
Another significant contribution of South Abbotsford is its ministry to the Indo-Canadian people residing in the vicinity.  David and Stella Manuel came to spearhead this ministry in 1980 although some church members had begun some work prior to their arrival.
+
Another significant contribution of South Abbotsford is its ministry to the Indo-Canadian people residing in the vicinity.  David and Stella Manuel came to spearhead this ministry in 1980, although some church members had begun some work prior to their arrival.
  
 
In 2010 the congregation had a membership of 631 and an average attendance of 625.
 
In 2010 the congregation had a membership of 631 and an average attendance of 625.
Line 23: Line 32:
 
Willms, H. J. <em>Die Sued-Abbotsford Ansiedlung, Abbotsford, B.C.: historischer Bericht</em>. 1955, 55 pp.
 
Willms, H. J. <em>Die Sued-Abbotsford Ansiedlung, Abbotsford, B.C.: historischer Bericht</em>. 1955, 55 pp.
 
= Additional Information =
 
= Additional Information =
−
<strong>Address</strong>: 32424 Huntingdon Rd., R.R.5, Abbotsford BC  V2T 5Z1
+
'''Address''': 32424 Huntingdon Rd., R.R.5, Abbotsford BC  V2T 5Z1
  
−
<strong>Phone</strong>: 604-853-2663
+
'''Phone''': 604-853-2663
  
−
<strong>Website</strong>: [http://www.southabbotsford.com/ South Abbotsford Church]
+
'''Website''': [http://www.southabbotsford.com/ South Abbotsford Church]
  
−
<strong>Denominational Affiliations:</strong>
+
'''Denominational Affiliations:''' [http://www.bcmb.org/ British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches] (1935-present)
  
−
<span class="link-external">[http://www.bcmb.org/ British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches]</span> (1935-present)
+
[http://www.mennonitebrethren.ca/ Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches] (1935-present)
−
 
 
−
<span class="link-external">[http://www.mbconf.ca/ Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches]</span> (1935-present)
 
  
 
[[General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches|General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches of North America]]
 
[[General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches|General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches of North America]]
−
 
+
=== South Abbotsford Church Leading Ministers ===
−
<h3>South Abbotsford Church Leading Ministers</h3>
+
                                                             
−
<table class="vertical listing">
+
{| border="1"
−
<tr> <th>Minister</th> <th>Years</th> </tr>
+
|-
−
<tr> <td>[[Rempel, Abram D. (1889-1971)|Abram D. Rempel]]</td> <td align="right">1932-1934</td> </tr>
+
!Minister
−
<tr> <td>Frank Janzen</td> <td align="right">1934-1935</td> </tr>
+
!Years
−
<tr> <td>[[Rempel, Abram D. (1889-1971)|Abram D. Rempel]]</td> <td align="right">1935-1944</td> </tr>
+
|-
−
<tr> <td>[[Nikkel, Henry H. (1896-1985)|Henry H. Nikkel]]</td> <td align="right">1944-1949</td> </tr>
+
|[[Rempel, Abram D. (1889-1971)|Abram D. Rempel]]
−
<tr> <td>[[Stobbe, John J. (1902-1976)|John J. Stobbe]]</td> <td align="right">1950-1959</td> </tr>
+
|1932-1934
−
<tr> <td>[[Neufeld, William I. (1908-2006)|William I. Neufeld]]</td> <td align="right">1959-1966</td> </tr>
+
|-
−
<tr> <td>David Nickel</td> <td align="right">1966-1972</td> </tr>
+
|Frank Janzen
−
<tr> <td>Don Balzer</td> <td align="right">1972-1980</td> </tr>
+
|1934-1935
−
<tr> <td>[[Born, Henry C. (1920-2002)|Henry C. Born]] (interim)</td> <td align="right">1980-1981</td> </tr>
+
|-
−
<tr> <td>David Epp</td> <td align="right">1981-1987</td> </tr>
+
|[[Rempel, Abram D. (1889-1971)|Abram D. Rempel]]
−
<tr> <td>Clifford Janzen</td> <td align="right">1987-1996</td> </tr>
+
|1935-1944
−
<tr> <td>Stephen Berg</td> <td align="right">1997-2004</td> </tr>
+
|-
−
<tr> <td>Ed Balzer (interim)</td> <td align="right">2004-2005</td> </tr>
+
|[[Nikkel, Henry H. (1896-1985)|Henry H. Nikkel]]
−
<tr> <td>Dan Nicholson</td> <td align="right">2006–present</td> </tr>
+
|1944-1949
−
</table>
+
|-
−
<h3>South Abbotsford Church Membership</h3>
+
|[[Stobbe, John J. (1902-1976)|John J. Stobbe]]
−
<table class="vertical listing">
+
|1950-1959
−
<tr> <th>Year</th> <th>Members</th> </tr>
+
|-
−
<tr> <td>1932</td> <td align="right">31</td> </tr>
+
|[[Neufeld, William I. (1908-2006)|William I. Neufeld]]
−
<tr> <td>1935</td> <td align="right">80</td> </tr>
+
|1959-1966
−
<tr> <td>1940</td> <td align="right">255</td> </tr>
+
|-
−
<tr> <td>1945</td> <td align="right">321</td> </tr>
+
|David Nickel
−
<tr> <td>1950</td> <td align="right">500</td> </tr>
+
|1966-1972
−
<tr> <td>1955</td> <td align="right">368</td> </tr>
+
|-
−
<tr> <td>1960</td> <td align="right">374</td> </tr>
+
|Don Balzer
−
<tr> <td>1965</td> <td align="right">357</td> </tr>
+
|1972-1980
−
<tr> <td>1970</td> <td align="right">275</td> </tr>
+
|-
−
<tr> <td>1975</td> <td align="right">282</td> </tr>
+
|[[Born, Henry C. (1920-2002)|Henry C. Born]] (interim)
−
<tr> <td>1980</td> <td align="right">323</td> </tr>
+
|1980-1981
−
<tr> <td>1985</td> <td align="right">386</td> </tr>
+
|-
−
<tr> <td>1990</td> <td align="right">392</td> </tr>
+
|David Epp
−
<tr> <td>1995</td> <td align="right">475</td> </tr>
+
|1981-1987
−
<tr> <td>2000</td> <td align="right">683</td> </tr>
+
|-
−
<tr> <td>2005</td> <td align="right">820</td> </tr>
+
|Clifford Janzen
−
<tr> <td>2010</td> <td align="right">631</td> </tr>
+
|1987-1996
−
</table>
+
|-
−
{{GAMEO_footer-3|hp=|date=November 2010|a1_last=Nikkel|a1_first=Henry H.|a2_last=Klager|a2_first=Andrew|a3_last=Friesen|a3_first=Hugo}}
+
|Steve Berg
 +
|1997-2004
 +
|-
 +
|Ed Balzer (interim)
 +
|2004-2005
 +
|-
 +
|Dan Nicholson
 +
|2006–2014
 +
|-
 +
|Matt Ewert
 +
|2014-present
 +
|}
 +
=== South Abbotsford Church Membership ===
 +
                                                                         
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: right;"
 +
|-
 +
!Year
 +
!Members
 +
|-
 +
|1932
 +
|31
 +
|-
 +
|1935
 +
|80
 +
|-
 +
|1940
 +
|255
 +
|-
 +
|1945
 +
|321
 +
|-
 +
|1950
 +
|500
 +
|-
 +
|1955
 +
|368
 +
|-
 +
|1960
 +
|374
 +
|-
 +
|1965
 +
|357
 +
|-
 +
|1970
 +
|275
 +
|-
 +
|1975
 +
|282
 +
|-
 +
|1980
 +
|323
 +
|-
 +
|1985
 +
|386
 +
|-
 +
|1990
 +
|392
 +
|-
 +
|1995
 +
|475
 +
|-
 +
|2000
 +
|683
 +
|-
 +
|2005
 +
|820
 +
|-
 +
|2010
 +
|631
 +
|}
 +
{{GAMEO_footer-3|hp=|date=October 2014|a1_last=Nikkel|a1_first=Henry H.|a2_last=Klager|a2_first=Andrew|a3_last=Friesen|a3_first=Hugo}}
  
 
[[Category:Churches]]
 
[[Category:Churches]]
 +
[[Category:British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches Congregations]]
 +
[[Category:Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches Congregations]]
 +
[[Category:General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches Congregations]]
 +
[[Category:British Columbia Congregations]]
 +
[[Category:Canadian Congregations]]

Revision as of 21:40, 13 June 2016

South Abbotsford MB Church, 1936.
Source: MHSBC Archives F55-S10-2014.106.001.
South Abbotsford MB Church, 1943.
Photo by Jack Lindsay, Vancouver News-Herald (9 December 1943).
Source: City of Vancouver Archives.
South Abbotsford MB Church, ca. 1968.
Source: The Reach P22793.
South Abbotsford MB Church, ca. 1985.
Source: MHSBC Archives.
South Abbotsford Church, Abbotsford, BC, 2007
Source: D. Giesbrecht

South Abbotsford Church has the distinction of being the first Mennonite Brethren (MB) church established in the Matsqui-Abbotsford area of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia. The church formally organized on 1 May 1932 as the Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren Church while meeting in the Farmers Institute Hall on Clearbrook Road. After the congregation divided into North Abbotsford MB Church and South Abbotsford MB Church in 1935, South Abbotsford built its first structure on the corner of Huntingdon and Gladwin Roads. The completed building was dedicated on 1 March 1936. Eventually, towers were added to the front of the church to allow for Sunday school rooms. The church experienced continued growth and the congregation purchased property on the corner of Huntingdon and Columbia Roads, where a newly constructed sanctuary was completed in October 1954. A dedication service was held on 10 October 1954. A subsequent building program in the 1990s resulted from an additional surge in attendance.

Abram D. Rempel is considered the founding leader of the group; he continued in office until 1945. Henry H. Nikkel followed Rempel as congregational leader. Other leaders prior to 1960 included Frank Janzen, Franz C. Thiessen, Jacob F. Redekop, Jacob Wedel, Jacob Bargen, Isaak Janzen, Herman Voth and John J. Stobbe.

The congregation’s members helped establish churches such as Matsqui Mennonite Brethren Church (1944), East Aldergrove Mennonite Brethren Church (1947), Otter Road Mennonite Brethren Church (1947), Central Heights Mennonite Brethren Church (1949), Bakerview Mennonite Brethren Church (1966) and King Road Mennonite Brethren Church (1966), incurring a reduction in membership in the process.

Additionally, South Abbotsford sought to accommodate academic needs in the Fraser Valley. The congregation started South Abbotsford Bible School in 1936 under the leadership of Cornelius C. Peters. Classes were suspended in 1941, but the school restarted in 1943 and was called Bethel Bible School (later known as Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute, then Columbia Bible Institute, now Columbia Bible College), which met in the church facilities. Also, in 1944, the Mennonite Educational Institute was first housed in this church.

Another significant contribution of South Abbotsford is its ministry to the Indo-Canadian people residing in the vicinity.  David and Stella Manuel came to spearhead this ministry in 1980, although some church members had begun some work prior to their arrival.

In 2010 the congregation had a membership of 631 and an average attendance of 625.

Bibliography

Canadian Mennonite (8 October 1954): 1; (22 June 1956): 8; (24 November 1961): 15.

Mennonite Brethren Herald (6 February 1987): 14; (27 May 1988): 23; (11 August 1995): 20.

Stobbe, Abe J. South Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren Church: a history from 1932-1982. Abbotsford, BC: South Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren Church, 1982, 112 pp.

Willms, H. J. Die Sued-Abbotsford Ansiedlung, Abbotsford, B.C.: historischer Bericht. 1955, 55 pp.

Additional Information

Address: 32424 Huntingdon Rd., R.R.5, Abbotsford BC  V2T 5Z1

Phone: 604-853-2663

Website: South Abbotsford 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

South Abbotsford Church Leading Ministers

Minister Years
Abram D. Rempel 1932-1934
Frank Janzen 1934-1935
Abram D. Rempel 1935-1944
Henry H. Nikkel 1944-1949
John J. Stobbe 1950-1959
William I. Neufeld 1959-1966
David Nickel 1966-1972
Don Balzer 1972-1980
Henry C. Born (interim) 1980-1981
David Epp 1981-1987
Clifford Janzen 1987-1996
Steve Berg 1997-2004
Ed Balzer (interim) 2004-2005
Dan Nicholson 2006–2014
Matt Ewert 2014-present

South Abbotsford Church Membership

Year Members
1932 31
1935 80
1940 255
1945 321
1950 500
1955 368
1960 374
1965 357
1970 275
1975 282
1980 323
1985 386
1990 392
1995 475
2000 683
2005 820
2010 631


Author(s) Henry H. Nikkel
Andrew Klager
Hugo Friesen
Date Published October 2014

Cite This Article

MLA style

Nikkel, Henry H., Andrew Klager and Hugo Friesen. "South Abbotsford Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. October 2014. Web. 16 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=South_Abbotsford_Church_(Abbotsford,_British_Columbia,_Canada)&oldid=134480.

APA style

Nikkel, Henry H., Andrew Klager and Hugo Friesen. (October 2014). South Abbotsford Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 16 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=South_Abbotsford_Church_(Abbotsford,_British_Columbia,_Canada)&oldid=134480.



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