Difference between revisions of "Friesen, Martin C. (1889-1968)"

From GAMEO
Jump to navigation Jump to search
[checked revision][checked revision]
(CSV import - 20130823)
(Revision by Gerald Ens)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
−
[[File:FriesenMartinClarge.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''Martin C. Friesen, photo taken on  
+
[[File:FriesenMartinClarge.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''Martin C. Friesen, photo taken on 21 March 1968. Courtesy of Wilfried Braun (private collection).'']]
 +
Martin Cornelius Friesen: [[Ministry (Prusso-Russian Background Mennonites)|minister]] and farmer; born on 6 October 1889 to Cornelius T. Friesen (20 March 1860, [[Bergthal Mennonite Settlement (Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine)|Bergthal Mennonite Settlement]], South [[Russia]] – 21 January 1929) and Katharina Friesen (16 September 1863, Russia – 19 September 1908, [[Manitoba (Canada)|Manitoba]], [[Canada]]) in [[Osterwick]] (later renamed New Bothwell), Manitoba, Canada. He was the fifth of 12 children. On 18 July 1911, he married Elizabeth D. Wiebe (11 January 1893, Canada – 5 August 1973, Loma Plata, Menno North, [[Paraguay]]), his stepsister from his stepmother's first marriage, daughter of Heinrich D. Wiebe (23 March 1859, Russia – 3 December 1908, Canada) and Gertrude (Dyck) Wiebe (3 August 1863, Russia – 29 October 1940). The couple had four daughters and three sons, including the historian and educator [[Friesen, Martin W. (1912-2000)|Martin W. Friesen]]. In 1925, Friesen was installed as [[Bishop (Ältester)|Ältester (bishop)]] of the [[Chortitzer Mennonite Conference|Chortitzer Mennonite Church]], and in 1927 he moved to Paraguay to lead a new congregation there. He served as bishop until his retirement in 1966, but continued to serve as a minister. On 7 April 1968 Martin attended a [[Communion|communion]] service and then went to visit his wife who was ill in the hospital in [[Loma Plata (Menno Colony, Boquerón Department, Paraguay)|Loma Plata]], where he passed away later that day.
  
−
21 March 1968
+
The son of a prominent church leader, Martin grew up in a family dedicated to serving the church and the poor. Martin received his elementary school education in [[Osterwick]] in Manitoba's [[East Reserve (Manitoba, Canada)|East Reserve]] before going on to study theology on his own. In 1909, he was [[Baptism|baptized]] in the Chortitzer Mennonite Church.
  
−
Courtesy of Wilfried Braun (private collection)
+
Friesen continued to pursue his theological career and was elected as a minister of the Chortitzer church on 15 July 1924. A little over a year later, on 8 October 1925, Martin was installed as the church's Ältester (bishop), succeeding Ältester Johann Dueck. When many Mennonites, [[Old Colony Mennonites#The School Question|concerned about increasing government control over education]], chose to [[Emigration from Canada to Mexico and Paraguay in the 1920s|emigrate to Paraguay]] in the 1920s, Martin and his family joined them. Friesen did not personally in favor migration, but felt it was his duty to move with the church when they voted to do so. He represented the Choritzer Church in the emigration committee that planned the migration to Paraguay and emigrated towards the end of 1927, helping to establish what was to become [[Menno Colony (Boquerón Department, Paraguay)|Menno Colony]] and serving as a leader of the settlement until his retirement. Before he left Canada, Friesen ordained three new ministers to serve those church members who decided to remain in Canada (58 percent of the total membership).
  
−
'']]    Martin Cornelius Friesen: minister and farmer; born on 6 October 1889 to Cornelius T. Friesen (20 March 1860, [[Bergthal Mennonite Settlement (Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine)|Bergthal Mennonite Settlement]], South Russia – 21 January 1929) and Katharina Friesen (16 September 1863, Russia – 19 September 1908, Manitoba, Canada) in Osterwick (later renamed New Bothwell), [[Manitoba (Canada)|Manitoba]], Canada. He was the fifth of 12 children. On 18 July 1911, he married Elizabeth D. Wiebe (11 January 1893, Canada – 5 August 1973, Loma Plata, Menno North, Paraguay), his stepsister from his stepmother’s first marriage, daughter of Heinrich D. Wiebe (23 March 1859, Russia – 3 December 1908, Canada) and Gertrude (Dyck) Wiebe (3 August 1863, Russia – 29 October 1940). The couple had four daughters and three sons. In 1925, Martin was installed as <em>Ältester</em> (bishop) of the [[Chortitzer Mennonite Conference|Chortitzer Mennonite Church]], and in 1927, he moved to [[Paraguay|Paraguay]] to lead a new congregation there. He served as bishop until his retirement in 1966, but continued to serve as a minister. On 7 April 1968 Martin attended a communion service and then went to visit his wife who was ill in the hospital in [[Loma Plata (Menno Colony, Alto Paraguay Department, Paraguay)|Loma Plata]], where he passed away later that day.
+
Friesen was a dedicated leader, caring for the needs of the whole congregation and helping the people through the challenges they faced. When the Mennonites first arrived in Paraguay they were forced to wait sixteen months before they could settle their land while they waited for a land survey and overcame other obstacles; disease broke out, killing many of them, and discontent grew. Over three hundred people decided to return to Canada, but Martin continued to work with those who stayed, keeping the church unified and eventually helping to resolve the land problems. At least one scholar argues that only his leadership at this time prevented the venture from falling apart in its entirety.<ref>Guenther, 191.</ref>
  
−
The son of a prominent church leader, Martin grew up in a family dedicated to serving the church and the poor. Martin received his elementary school education in Osterwick before going on to study theology on his own. In 1909, he was baptized in the Chortitzer Mennonite Church, and in 1911, he married Elizabeth Wiebe. The couple lived with their parents for some years before moving to their own property.
+
Friesen also helped the immigrants work out other issues they faced in their new home. He was active in establishing churches and schools, which often used the same building for both purposes, and he also helped the farmers learn to grow crops unknown to them in Canada, such as castor beans and cotton. His congregants appreciated his direct manner, his ability to resolve interpersonal disputes, and his spiritual insight.<ref>See esp. Dueck, 101.</ref>
  
−
Friesen continued to pursue his theological career and was elected as a minister on 15 July 1924 Chortitzer Mennonite Church. A little over a year later, on 8 October 1925, Martin was installed as <em>Ältester</em> (bishop) of the [[Chortitzer Mennonite Conference|Chortitzer Mennonite Church]], succeeding <em>Ältester </em>Johann Dueck. When many Mennonites, concerned about increasing government control over education, chose to immigrate to South America in the 1920s, Martin and his family joined them. He left for Paraguay in 1927, helping to establish what was to become [[Menno Colony (Alto Paraguay Department, Paraguay)|Menno Colony]] and serving as a leader for the immigrants until his retirement.
+
Altogether, Friesen led the church for 44 years, first in Canada and then in Paraguay. As a minister, Friesen [[Preaching|preached]], taught, and held communion services in many churches around the area. He would frequently visit communities such as Gnadenfeld and Weidenfeld, as well as locations further from home. He also participated in conferences held in [[Filadelfia (Fernheim Colony, Boquerón Department, Paraguay)|Filadelfia]] and elsewhere, held [[Bible Study|Bible studies]], and conducted [[Weddings|weddings]] and baptisms. He instituted a variety of reforms, from changing the standard [[Dress|dress]] expected of ministers to promoting [[Education, Mennonite#South America|education]] as a way to build up the church.
  
−
Altogether, Martin led the church for 44 years, first in Canada and then in Paraguay. He was known as a dedicated leader, caring for the needs of the whole congregation and helping the people through the challenges they faced, such as a delay in getting the land surveyed for new settlement, as well as outbreaks of disease that killed many of them. Over three hundred people decided to return to Canada, but Martin continued to work with those who stayed, eventually helping to resolve the land problems.
+
Meanwhile, Friesen worked as a farmer to support himself and his family, growing fruit and other crops. He and his wife frequently hosted their grandchildren for long visits or went to see them in their homes, and Friesen also [[Pastoral Counseling|counseled]] church members who came to his house to consult him. He continued to be active in the church until the day of his death.
  
−
Friesen also helped the immigrants work out other issues they faced in their new home. He was active in establishing churches and schools, which often used the same building for both purposes, and he also helped the farmers learn to grow crops unknown to them in Canada, such as castor beans and cotton.
+
Martin C. Friesen was a dedicated teacher and minister who used his many skills to help his community. Both in Canada and Paraguay, he worked hard to assist people in need, leading them to a greater understanding of God and the church. Throughout all of the challenges of his life, he remained faithful to his calling and left an example for the entire community to follow.
  
−
As a minister, Friesen preached, taught, and held communion services in many churches around the area. He would frequently visit communities such as Gnadenfeld and Weidenfeld, as well as locations further from home. He also participated in conferences held in [[Filadelfia (Fernheim Colony, Boquerón Department, Paraguay)|Filadelfia]] and elsewhere, held Bible studies, and conducted weddings and baptisms. He instituted a variety of reforms, from changing the standard dress expected of ministers to promoting education as a way to build up the church.
+
=Notes=
 +
<references />
  
−
Meanwhile, Martin worked as a farmer to support himself and his family, growing fruit and other crops. He and his wife frequently hosted their grandchildren for long visits or went to see them in their homes, and Martin also counseled church members who came to his house to consult him. He continued to be active in the church until the day of his death on 7 April 1968.
+
= Bibliography =
 +
Dueck, Gustav. ''Chortitzer Mennonite Conference, 1874-1990''. Chortitzer Mennonite Conference: 101-102
 +
 
 +
Dyck, John, ed. "Ältester Martin C. Friesen, 1881-1968." ''Preservings'', no. 25 (December 2005): 61-63.
 +
 
 +
Ens, Adolf. ''Subjects or Citizens? The Mennonite Experience in Canada, 1870-1925''. Ottawa: University of Ottawa Press, 1994: 217.
 +
 
 +
Ens, Adolf, and Ernest N. Braun. "Emigration to Paraguay 1926 to 1927." In ''Settlers of the East Reserve'', edited by Adolf Ens et al. Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society, 2009: 319-329.
 +
 
 +
Friesen, M. W. ''Canadian Mennonites Conquer a Wilderness: The Beginning and Development of the Menno Colony, First Mennonite Settlement in South America''. Translated by Christel Wiebe. Loma Plata, Paraguay: Historical Committee of the Menno Colony, 2009.
 +
 
 +
Friesen, Martin W. "Martin C. Friesen in Paraguay." ''Preservings'', no. 7 (December 1995): 13-14.
 +
 
 +
Friesen, Martin W. "Und es begab sich… Aus dem Leben und Sterben des Ältesten Martin C. Friesen, Menno." ''Mennoblatt'' (1 May 1968): 2-4.
  
−
Martin C. Friesen was a dedicated teacher and minister who used his many skills to help his community. Both in Canada and South America, he worked hard to assist people in need, leading them to a greater understanding of God and the church. Throughout all of the challenges of his life, he remained faithful to his calling and left an example for the entire community to follow.
+
Gerbrandt, Henry J. "Martin W. Friesen 1912-2000, Historian." ''Preservings'', no. 19 (December 2001): 66.  
−
= Bibliography =
 
−
Dyck, John, ed. "Ältester Martin C. Friesen, 1881-1968." <em>Preservings </em>(December 2005): 61-63.
 
  
−
Friesen, Martin W. "Martin C. Friesen in Paraguay." Preservings (December 1995): 13-14.
+
Geschichtskomitee der Kolonie Menno. ''Unter der heißen Sonne des Südens''. Loma Plata, Paraguay, 2002.
  
−
Friesen, Martin W,  "Und es begab sich… Aus dem Leben und Sterben des Ältesten Martin C. Friesen, Menno." <em>Mennoblatt</em> (1 May 1968): 2-4.
+
Guenther, Titus F. "Ältester Martin C. Friesen (1889-1968): A Man of Vision for Paraguay's Mennogemeinde." ''Journal of Mennonite Studies'' (2005): 185-211.
  
−
Geschichtskomitee der Kolonie Menno. <em>Unter der heißen Sonne des Südens</em>. Loma Plata, Paraguay, 2002.
+
Ratzlaff, Gerhard. ''Ein Leib - viele Glieder - Die Mennonitengemeinden in Paraguay''. Asunción, Paraguay: Gemeindekomittee (Asociación Evangélica Mennonita del Paraguay), 2001.
  
−
Guenther, Titus F. "Ältester Martin C. Friesen (1889-1968): A Man of Vision for Paraguay’s Mennogemeinde." <em>Journal of Mennonite Studies</em> (2005): 185-211.
+
Reimer, Abram B. "Ältester M. C. Friesens Leben und Arbeit." ''Mennoblatt'' (1 May 1968): 4-5.
  
−
Ratzlaff, Gerhard. <em>Ein Leib - viele Glieder - Die Mennonitengemeinden in Paraguay</em>. Asunción, Paraguay: Gemeindekomittee (Asociación Evangélica Mennonita del Paraguay), 2001.
+
Stoesz, Edgar. ''Like a Mustard Seed: Mennonites in Paraguay''. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 2008.
  
−
Reimer, Abram B. "Ältester M. C. Friesens Leben und Arbeit." <em>Mennoblatt</em> (1 May 1968): 4-5.
+
Stoesz, Edgar, and Muriel T. Stackley. ''Garden in the Wilderness: Mennonite Communities in the Paraguayan Chaco, 1927-1997''. Winnipeg: CMBC Publications, 1999.
  
−
Wiebe, Katherine Friesen. "Bishop Martin C. Friesen 1889-1968." <em>Preservings</em> (December 1995): 12-13.
+
Wiebe, Katherine Friesen. "Bishop Martin C. Friesen 1889-1968." ''Preservings'', no. 7 (December 1995): 12-13.
−
{{GAMEO_footer|hp=|date=November 2009|a1_last=Huebert|a1_first=Helmut T., Susan Huebert|a2_last=Thiessen|a2_first=Richard D.}}
+
{{GAMEO_footer-4|hp=|date=June 2025|a1_last=Huebert|a1_first=Helmut T.|a2_last=Huebert|a2_first=Susan|a3_last=Thiessen|a3_first=Richard D.|a4_last=Ens|a4_first=Gerald}}
 +
[[Category:Persons]]

Latest revision as of 19:51, 23 June 2025

Martin C. Friesen, photo taken on 21 March 1968. Courtesy of Wilfried Braun (private collection).

Martin Cornelius Friesen: minister and farmer; born on 6 October 1889 to Cornelius T. Friesen (20 March 1860, Bergthal Mennonite Settlement, South Russia – 21 January 1929) and Katharina Friesen (16 September 1863, Russia – 19 September 1908, Manitoba, Canada) in Osterwick (later renamed New Bothwell), Manitoba, Canada. He was the fifth of 12 children. On 18 July 1911, he married Elizabeth D. Wiebe (11 January 1893, Canada – 5 August 1973, Loma Plata, Menno North, Paraguay), his stepsister from his stepmother's first marriage, daughter of Heinrich D. Wiebe (23 March 1859, Russia – 3 December 1908, Canada) and Gertrude (Dyck) Wiebe (3 August 1863, Russia – 29 October 1940). The couple had four daughters and three sons, including the historian and educator Martin W. Friesen. In 1925, Friesen was installed as Ältester (bishop) of the Chortitzer Mennonite Church, and in 1927 he moved to Paraguay to lead a new congregation there. He served as bishop until his retirement in 1966, but continued to serve as a minister. On 7 April 1968 Martin attended a communion service and then went to visit his wife who was ill in the hospital in Loma Plata, where he passed away later that day.

The son of a prominent church leader, Martin grew up in a family dedicated to serving the church and the poor. Martin received his elementary school education in Osterwick in Manitoba's East Reserve before going on to study theology on his own. In 1909, he was baptized in the Chortitzer Mennonite Church.

Friesen continued to pursue his theological career and was elected as a minister of the Chortitzer church on 15 July 1924. A little over a year later, on 8 October 1925, Martin was installed as the church's Ältester (bishop), succeeding Ältester Johann Dueck. When many Mennonites, concerned about increasing government control over education, chose to emigrate to Paraguay in the 1920s, Martin and his family joined them. Friesen did not personally in favor migration, but felt it was his duty to move with the church when they voted to do so. He represented the Choritzer Church in the emigration committee that planned the migration to Paraguay and emigrated towards the end of 1927, helping to establish what was to become Menno Colony and serving as a leader of the settlement until his retirement. Before he left Canada, Friesen ordained three new ministers to serve those church members who decided to remain in Canada (58 percent of the total membership).

Friesen was a dedicated leader, caring for the needs of the whole congregation and helping the people through the challenges they faced. When the Mennonites first arrived in Paraguay they were forced to wait sixteen months before they could settle their land while they waited for a land survey and overcame other obstacles; disease broke out, killing many of them, and discontent grew. Over three hundred people decided to return to Canada, but Martin continued to work with those who stayed, keeping the church unified and eventually helping to resolve the land problems. At least one scholar argues that only his leadership at this time prevented the venture from falling apart in its entirety.[1]

Friesen also helped the immigrants work out other issues they faced in their new home. He was active in establishing churches and schools, which often used the same building for both purposes, and he also helped the farmers learn to grow crops unknown to them in Canada, such as castor beans and cotton. His congregants appreciated his direct manner, his ability to resolve interpersonal disputes, and his spiritual insight.[2]

Altogether, Friesen led the church for 44 years, first in Canada and then in Paraguay. As a minister, Friesen preached, taught, and held communion services in many churches around the area. He would frequently visit communities such as Gnadenfeld and Weidenfeld, as well as locations further from home. He also participated in conferences held in Filadelfia and elsewhere, held Bible studies, and conducted weddings and baptisms. He instituted a variety of reforms, from changing the standard dress expected of ministers to promoting education as a way to build up the church.

Meanwhile, Friesen worked as a farmer to support himself and his family, growing fruit and other crops. He and his wife frequently hosted their grandchildren for long visits or went to see them in their homes, and Friesen also counseled church members who came to his house to consult him. He continued to be active in the church until the day of his death.

Martin C. Friesen was a dedicated teacher and minister who used his many skills to help his community. Both in Canada and Paraguay, he worked hard to assist people in need, leading them to a greater understanding of God and the church. Throughout all of the challenges of his life, he remained faithful to his calling and left an example for the entire community to follow.

Notes

  1. ↑ Guenther, 191.
  2. ↑ See esp. Dueck, 101.

Bibliography

Dueck, Gustav. Chortitzer Mennonite Conference, 1874-1990. Chortitzer Mennonite Conference: 101-102

Dyck, John, ed. "Ältester Martin C. Friesen, 1881-1968." Preservings, no. 25 (December 2005): 61-63.

Ens, Adolf. Subjects or Citizens? The Mennonite Experience in Canada, 1870-1925. Ottawa: University of Ottawa Press, 1994: 217.

Ens, Adolf, and Ernest N. Braun. "Emigration to Paraguay 1926 to 1927." In Settlers of the East Reserve, edited by Adolf Ens et al. Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society, 2009: 319-329.

Friesen, M. W. Canadian Mennonites Conquer a Wilderness: The Beginning and Development of the Menno Colony, First Mennonite Settlement in South America. Translated by Christel Wiebe. Loma Plata, Paraguay: Historical Committee of the Menno Colony, 2009.

Friesen, Martin W. "Martin C. Friesen in Paraguay." Preservings, no. 7 (December 1995): 13-14.

Friesen, Martin W. "Und es begab sich… Aus dem Leben und Sterben des Ältesten Martin C. Friesen, Menno." Mennoblatt (1 May 1968): 2-4.

Gerbrandt, Henry J. "Martin W. Friesen 1912-2000, Historian." Preservings, no. 19 (December 2001): 66.

Geschichtskomitee der Kolonie Menno. Unter der heißen Sonne des Südens. Loma Plata, Paraguay, 2002.

Guenther, Titus F. "Ältester Martin C. Friesen (1889-1968): A Man of Vision for Paraguay's Mennogemeinde." Journal of Mennonite Studies (2005): 185-211.

Ratzlaff, Gerhard. Ein Leib - viele Glieder - Die Mennonitengemeinden in Paraguay. Asunción, Paraguay: Gemeindekomittee (Asociación Evangélica Mennonita del Paraguay), 2001.

Reimer, Abram B. "Ältester M. C. Friesens Leben und Arbeit." Mennoblatt (1 May 1968): 4-5.

Stoesz, Edgar. Like a Mustard Seed: Mennonites in Paraguay. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 2008.

Stoesz, Edgar, and Muriel T. Stackley. Garden in the Wilderness: Mennonite Communities in the Paraguayan Chaco, 1927-1997. Winnipeg: CMBC Publications, 1999.

Wiebe, Katherine Friesen. "Bishop Martin C. Friesen 1889-1968." Preservings, no. 7 (December 1995): 12-13.


Author(s) Helmut T. Huebert
Susan Huebert
Richard D. Thiessen
Gerald Ens
Date Published June 2025

Cite This Article

MLA style

Huebert, Helmut T., Susan Huebert, Richard D. Thiessen and Gerald Ens. "Friesen, Martin C. (1889-1968)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. June 2025. Web. 19 Jan 2026. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Friesen,_Martin_C._(1889-1968)&oldid=180913.

APA style

Huebert, Helmut T., Susan Huebert, Richard D. Thiessen and Gerald Ens. (June 2025). Friesen, Martin C. (1889-1968). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 19 January 2026, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Friesen,_Martin_C._(1889-1968)&oldid=180913.



©1996-2026 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.

Retrieved from "https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Friesen,_Martin_C._(1889-1968)&oldid=180913"