View source for Aberdeen Mennonite Brethren Church (Aberdeen, Saskatchewan, Canada)

__FORCETOC__
__TOC__
[[File:AberdeenMBChurch1950.jpg|400px|thumbnail|''Aberdeen Mennonite Brethren Church, ca. 1950-1951. Creator: Henry J. Wiens (1885-1975) Digitized by Hiebert Library. http://callimachus.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15008coll27/id/122/rec/7 Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies.'']]
The first settlers, consisting of seven families, came to the Aberdeen area of [[Saskatchewan (Canada)|Saskatchewan]] in May 1903. At first, the Aberdeen settlers gathered in the home of G. J. Sawatzky, a deacon from [[Russia|Russia]], for regular church services. In 1904, when more settlers came from Russia, local services were organized, [[Sunday School|Sunday School]] was begun, and a choir was formed under the leadership of [[Sawatzky, Aron Gerhard (1871-1935)| Aron G. Sawatzky]]. From 1904–1909, services were held in the Neu Steinbach School. In 1905, Jacob Wiens of Ebenfeld served six candidates with baptism. Gerhard Siemens from Russia visited Aberdeen in 1906 and under his direction G. J. Sawatzky began the leadership of the church. Minutes and financial records were kept, starting in 1906. The congregation erected a church building in 1909 which was paid for by the following year.

By the 1930s the congregation had a membership of over 100. The language transition from German to English occurred in the 1940s. In 1950 the congregation had 51 members; in 1961 18. The congregation dissolved in 1961.
= Bibliography =
Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies. "Aberdeen MB Church." http://www.mbconf.ca/home/products_and_services/resources/published_genealogies/mb_provincial_conferences_and_church_congregation_records/saskatchewan_archives/aberdeen_mennonite_brethren_church_archives/ (accessed 24 February 2009).

= Archival Records =  
Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies, Winnipeg, MB http://www.mbconf.ca/home/products_and_services/resources/published_genealogies/mb_provincial_conferences_and_church_congregation_records/saskatchewan_archives/aberdeen_mennonite_brethren_church_archives/ Volumes 597–600, Reel 15, 47.

= Additional Information =
'''Denominational Affiliations''':

[[Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches|Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches]]

[[Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches|Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches]]

[[General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches]]

<h3>Aberdeen MB Church Leading Ministers</h3>
{|  class="wikitable" 
! Minister !! Years
|- 
| Gerhard J. Sawatzky || 1903-1912
|- 
| John P. Siemens || 1912-1920
|- 
| H. G. Sawatzky || 1920-1931
|- 
| Ben L. Sawatzky || 1931-1941
|- 
| Heinrich W. Niessen || 1941-1944
|- 
| G. K. Sawatzky || 1945-1951
|- 
| Archie Kruger || 1953-1960
|}
{{GAMEO_footer|hp=Vol. 1, p. 7|date= August 1986|a1_last=Epp|a1_first=J. H.|a2_last=Epp|a2_first=Marlene}}
[[Category:Churches]]
[[Category:Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches Congregations]]
[[Category:Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches Congregations]]
[[Category:General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches Congregations]]
[[Category:Saskatchewan Congregations]]
[[Category:Canadian Congregations]]
[[Category:Extinct Congregations]]