Difference between revisions of "Vineland United Mennonite Church (Vineland, Ontario, Canada)"

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[[File:VinelandMennoniteChurch.jpg|400px|thumbnail|''Vineland Mennonite Church<br />
 
[[File:VinelandMennoniteChurch.jpg|400px|thumbnail|''Vineland Mennonite Church<br />
 
Source: John Hartig, [http://www.niagarascenery.com/towns_vinelandE5.html Niagara Scenery Photography]'']]
 
Source: John Hartig, [http://www.niagarascenery.com/towns_vinelandE5.html Niagara Scenery Photography]'']]
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The Vineland United Mennonite congregation in Vineland, Ontario was formed by Mennonites who arrived from the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|Soviet Union]] in 1924-1926 and later, who at first worshiped in an old abandoned sawmill. Initially Vineland United Mennonite Church worshiped with the [[Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church (Vineland, Ontario, Canada)|Mennonite Brethren]]. In 1927 they joined the United Mennonite Church in Ontario under the leadership of Bishop [[Janzen, Jacob H. (1878-1950)|Jacob H. Janzen]] of Waterloo. Prior to the election of the first leaders (beginning with Wichert in 1927) sermons were read from books by someone in the congregation. The first ministers to serve this group were [[Wichert, Johann J. (1897-1983)|John Wichert]], elected by the group in 1927, and Cornelius Neufeld and Nicholas Fransen, elected in 1929. Until that time sermons were read from books by someone in the congregation.
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The Vineland United Mennonite Church had its origins in immigration of Mennonites from the [[Soviet Union]] in the 1920s. The first of these immigrants arrived in [[Vineland (Ontario, Canada)|Vineland]], [[Ontario (Canada)|Ontario]], [[Canada]] in 1924 and were hosted by members of the existing Moyer Mennonite Church (now [[First Mennonite Church (Vineland, Ontario, Canada)|The First Mennonite Church]]). These German-speaking immigrants briefly worshiped with the Moyer congregation, but this was not satisfactory since the existing services was solely in English except for occasional scripture readings or hymns in German. For a time a German service was held prior to the English service. The elderly [[Old Order Mennonites|Old Order Mennonite]] minister, Joseph Wismer, may also have done some preaching for the early group. As was common in other communities where these immigrants settled, the ''[[Kirchliche Mennoniten|Kirchliche]]'' Mennonites and [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren]] worshiped together until they had enough size to organize separately.  
  
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On 24 December 1935, a new meetinghouse was ready for occupation, built mostly by voluntary labor. On 13 April 1936, the congregation resolved to separate from the [[Waterloo-Kitchener United Mennonite Church (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada)|Waterloo-Kitchener United Mennonite]] and organize as an independent congregation under the leadership of Bishop Dietrich H. Koop. By 1942 the congregation had grown to such an extent that the church had to be enlarged. In 1944 Koop died and John J. Wichert was elected to this office. Other ministers serving the congregation are Nicholas Fransen, Abram H. Harder, and John W. Neufeld (ordained 1954).
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After [[Janzen, Jacob H. (1878-1950)|Jacob H. Janzen]] arrived in Waterloo, Ontario in December 1924, a congregation was organized in [[Waterloo-Kitchener United Mennonite Church (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada)|Waterloo]], and included ''Kirchliche'' Mennonites elsewhere in Ontario, including Vineland. A first baptism took place in Vineland in summer 1925. [[Wichert, Johann J. (1897-1983)|John J. Wichert]] arrived in Vineland in August 1926 and began giving leadership to worship services there. The Vineland group elected him as a candidate for lay ministry in 1927, and he was ordained in 1928. Cornelius K. Neufeld and [[Fransen, Nicholas N. (1907-2000)|Nicholas N. Fransen]] were also elected as ministers in 1929. Prior to Wichert's election, when a visiting minister was not available for Sunday worship, a sermon would be read from books of sermons.
  
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In 1957 a larger church was built of brick.
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In 1931, soon after he moved to Vineland from Manitoba, Dietrich H. Koop was elected as bishop for the congregation. After Koop's death in 1944, John Wichert was elected as bishp.  
  
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The language of worship is English; the transition from German occurred in 1971. German services ended in December 2003.
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The young congregation began a [[Sunday School|Sunday school]] already in 1926, and a women's organization soon after, though for several years it met with the women at the Moyer Mennonite Church. A German school was held on Saturdays for the young people. Other activities like choirs and youth groups also emerged in the 1920s and 1930s.
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Until 1934 the congregation, still composed of [[Conference of United Mennonite Churches in Ontario|United Mennonites]] (as the ''Kirchliche'' became called in Ontario) and Mennonite Brethren worshiped together, most often in a machine shed owned by Chris Fretz. In 1934 the Mennonite Brethren formed their [[Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church (Vineland, Ontario, Canada)|own congregation]], and in 1935 the United Mennonites built a church building across Victoria Avenue from the machine shop near the intersection of Culp Road. This building, with a 1942 addition, served the congregation until 1957 when a new building was erected at the present location on Second Street (now Menno Street).
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Vineland United Mennonite Church became an indepdendent congregation in 1936, as the United Mennoites in Ontario decentralized.
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Until 1956 the congregation had only one deacon, but as the congregation grew and needs increased more deacons were elected and ordained. Kathy Paetkau became the first female elected as deacon in 1982, although women had served alongside their husbands in an unofficial capacity.
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The change to English began in the late 1950s. In 1973 the worship service was divided, and a short German service was introduced for those interested. In 2003 these services were discontinued.
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In 2017 Vineland United Mennonite described its mission as:
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To make Jesus LORD in our lives and through our lives as we ...
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:'''L'''ove God and neighbour
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:'''O'''bserve Jesus' teaching
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:'''R'''each out "across the street and around the world"
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:'''D'''isciple all who walk with and among us
 
= Bibliography =
 
= Bibliography =
 
''Canadian Mennonite'' (3 January 1958): 7; (12 July 1966): 16.
 
''Canadian Mennonite'' (3 January 1958): 7; (12 July 1966): 16.
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Fransen, Harold. "The History of the Vineland Mennonite Church." Research paper, Canadian Mennonite Bible College, 1977, 25 pp. [http://www.mennonitechurch.ca/programs/archives/  Mennonite Heritage Centre. ]
 
Fransen, Harold. "The History of the Vineland Mennonite Church." Research paper, Canadian Mennonite Bible College, 1977, 25 pp. [http://www.mennonitechurch.ca/programs/archives/  Mennonite Heritage Centre. ]
  
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<em>Fuenfundzwanzig Jahre Vineland Mennoniten Gemeinde 1936-1961.</em> Vineland, Ontario: Vineland Vereinigte Mennonitengemeinde, 1961, 58 pp.
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''Fuenfundzwanzig Jahre Vineland Mennoniten Gemeinde 1936-1961.'' Vineland, Ontario: Vineland Vereinigte Mennonitengemeinde, 1961, 58 pp.
  
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<em>Highlights of the Vineland United Mennonite Church 1936-1986: Reflect, Rejoice, Renew. </em>Vineland, Ontario: Vineland United Mennonite Church, 1986, 92 pp.
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''Highlights of the Vineland United Mennonite Church 1936-1986: Reflect, Rejoice, Renew.'' Vineland, Ontario: Vineland United Mennonite Church, 1986, 92 pp.
  
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Neufeld, Peter J. "Vineland UM Church History with Ministerial and Mission Outreach Data." <em>Conference of United Mennonite Churches in Ontario Yearbook</em> (1987).
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Neufeld, Peter J. "Vineland UM Church History with Ministerial and Mission Outreach Data." ''Conference of United Mennonite Churches in Ontario Yearbook'' (1987).
  
 
Stobbe, Bernard. "Ein Geschichtlicher Ueberblick ueber die drei Gemeinden der Vereinigten Mennoniten in der Niagara Halbinsel." Research paper, Canadian Mennonite Bible College, 1956, 20 pp. [http://www.mennonitechurch.ca/programs/archives/  Mennonite Heritage Centre. ]
 
Stobbe, Bernard. "Ein Geschichtlicher Ueberblick ueber die drei Gemeinden der Vereinigten Mennoniten in der Niagara Halbinsel." Research paper, Canadian Mennonite Bible College, 1956, 20 pp. [http://www.mennonitechurch.ca/programs/archives/  Mennonite Heritage Centre. ]
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'''Phone''': 905-562-4422
 
'''Phone''': 905-562-4422
  
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<strong>Web site</strong>: [http://www.vumc.ca/ Vineland United Mennonite Church]
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'''Web site''': [http://www.vumc.ca/ Vineland United Mennonite Church]
  
 
'''Denominational Affiliations''':
 
'''Denominational Affiliations''':

Revision as of 16:22, 19 January 2017

United Mennonite Church in Vineland, Ontario in December 1946.
Source: Mennonite Community Photograph Collection, The Congregation (HM4-134 Box 1 photo 010.3.14).
Mennonite Church USA Archives, Goshen, Indiana.
Vineland Mennonite Church
Source: John Hartig, Niagara Scenery Photography

The Vineland United Mennonite Church had its origins in immigration of Mennonites from the Soviet Union in the 1920s. The first of these immigrants arrived in Vineland, Ontario, Canada in 1924 and were hosted by members of the existing Moyer Mennonite Church (now The First Mennonite Church). These German-speaking immigrants briefly worshiped with the Moyer congregation, but this was not satisfactory since the existing services was solely in English except for occasional scripture readings or hymns in German. For a time a German service was held prior to the English service. The elderly Old Order Mennonite minister, Joseph Wismer, may also have done some preaching for the early group. As was common in other communities where these immigrants settled, the Kirchliche Mennonites and Mennonite Brethren worshiped together until they had enough size to organize separately.

After Jacob H. Janzen arrived in Waterloo, Ontario in December 1924, a congregation was organized in Waterloo, and included Kirchliche Mennonites elsewhere in Ontario, including Vineland. A first baptism took place in Vineland in summer 1925. John J. Wichert arrived in Vineland in August 1926 and began giving leadership to worship services there. The Vineland group elected him as a candidate for lay ministry in 1927, and he was ordained in 1928. Cornelius K. Neufeld and Nicholas N. Fransen were also elected as ministers in 1929. Prior to Wichert's election, when a visiting minister was not available for Sunday worship, a sermon would be read from books of sermons.

In 1931, soon after he moved to Vineland from Manitoba, Dietrich H. Koop was elected as bishop for the congregation. After Koop's death in 1944, John Wichert was elected as bishp.

The young congregation began a Sunday school already in 1926, and a women's organization soon after, though for several years it met with the women at the Moyer Mennonite Church. A German school was held on Saturdays for the young people. Other activities like choirs and youth groups also emerged in the 1920s and 1930s.

Until 1934 the congregation, still composed of United Mennonites (as the Kirchliche became called in Ontario) and Mennonite Brethren worshiped together, most often in a machine shed owned by Chris Fretz. In 1934 the Mennonite Brethren formed their own congregation, and in 1935 the United Mennonites built a church building across Victoria Avenue from the machine shop near the intersection of Culp Road. This building, with a 1942 addition, served the congregation until 1957 when a new building was erected at the present location on Second Street (now Menno Street).

Vineland United Mennonite Church became an indepdendent congregation in 1936, as the United Mennoites in Ontario decentralized.

Until 1956 the congregation had only one deacon, but as the congregation grew and needs increased more deacons were elected and ordained. Kathy Paetkau became the first female elected as deacon in 1982, although women had served alongside their husbands in an unofficial capacity.

The change to English began in the late 1950s. In 1973 the worship service was divided, and a short German service was introduced for those interested. In 2003 these services were discontinued.

In 2017 Vineland United Mennonite described its mission as: To make Jesus LORD in our lives and through our lives as we ...

Love God and neighbour
Observe Jesus' teaching
Reach out "across the street and around the world"
Disciple all who walk with and among us

Bibliography

Canadian Mennonite (3 January 1958): 7; (12 July 1966): 16.

Fransen, Harold. "The History of the Vineland Mennonite Church." Research paper, Canadian Mennonite Bible College, 1977, 25 pp. Mennonite Heritage Centre.

Fuenfundzwanzig Jahre Vineland Mennoniten Gemeinde 1936-1961. Vineland, Ontario: Vineland Vereinigte Mennonitengemeinde, 1961, 58 pp.

Highlights of the Vineland United Mennonite Church 1936-1986: Reflect, Rejoice, Renew. Vineland, Ontario: Vineland United Mennonite Church, 1986, 92 pp.

Neufeld, Peter J. "Vineland UM Church History with Ministerial and Mission Outreach Data." Conference of United Mennonite Churches in Ontario Yearbook (1987).

Stobbe, Bernard. "Ein Geschichtlicher Ueberblick ueber die drei Gemeinden der Vereinigten Mennoniten in der Niagara Halbinsel." Research paper, Canadian Mennonite Bible College, 1956, 20 pp. Mennonite Heritage Centre.

Church records at Mennonite Archives of Ontario.

Additional Information

Address: 3327 Menno St., Box 305, Vineland, ON, L0R 2C0

Phone: 905-562-4422

Web site: Vineland United Mennonite Church

Denominational Affiliations: Mennonite Church Eastern Canada Conference

Mennonite Church Canada

Vineland United Mennonite Church Leading Ministers

Minister Years
John J. Wichert 1927-1966; Bishop, 1944-1966
Cornelius K. Neufeld 1929-1938
Nicholai N. Fransen 1929-2000
Dietrich H. Koop Bishop, 1931-1944
Jacob K. Klassen 1965-1973
Henry H. Epp 1974-1976
Jacob Fransen (interim) 1977-1978
John W. Neufeld 1978-1984
Jacob Fransen (interim) 1984-1985
Peter Ratzlaff 1985-1991
David Brubacher 1991-1999
Marvin Friesen 1999-2004
Randy Dueck 2005-2007
Jim Sutton (interim) 2008-2009
Ross Penner 2009-2013
Corney Klassen (Associate) 2009-January 2015
Louise Wideman October 2014-Present
Jonathan Seiling (Associate) September 2016-Present

Vineland United Mennonite Church Membership

Year Members
1950 258
1965  368
1975  423
1985  423
1995  359
2000  351
2010  337
2015  268


Author(s) John J. Wichert
Marlene Epp
Date Published September 2014

Cite This Article

MLA style

Wichert, John J. and Marlene Epp. "Vineland United Mennonite Church (Vineland, Ontario, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. September 2014. Web. 18 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Vineland_United_Mennonite_Church_(Vineland,_Ontario,_Canada)&oldid=146995.

APA style

Wichert, John J. and Marlene Epp. (September 2014). Vineland United Mennonite Church (Vineland, Ontario, Canada). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 18 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Vineland_United_Mennonite_Church_(Vineland,_Ontario,_Canada)&oldid=146995.



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Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 829. All rights reserved.


©1996-2024 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.

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