Difference between revisions of "South Abbotsford Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)"
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− | [[File:SouthAbbotsford.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''South Abbotsford Church, Abbotsford, BC | + | [[File:SouthAbbotsford.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''South Abbotsford Church, Abbotsford, BC |
− | 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. |
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− | '']] 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. | ||
[[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]]. | ||
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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. |
Revision as of 14:20, 23 August 2013
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, 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.
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 |
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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 |
Stephen Berg | 1997-2004 |
Ed Balzer (interim) | 2004-2005 |
Dan Nicholson | 2006–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., Andrew Klager, Nikkel |
---|---|
Hugo Friesen | |
Date Published | November 2010 |
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. November 2010. Web. 22 Jul 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=South_Abbotsford_Church_(Abbotsford,_British_Columbia,_Canada)&oldid=93606.
APA style
Nikkel, Henry H., Andrew Klager, and Hugo Friesen. (November 2010). South Abbotsford Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 22 July 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=South_Abbotsford_Church_(Abbotsford,_British_Columbia,_Canada)&oldid=93606.
©1996-2024 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.