Black Creek Community Church (Black Creek, British Columbia, Canada)
The Black Creek Mennonite Brethren Church, 11 miles (18 km) north of Courtenay, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, is a member of the British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. On 30 December 1934, a group of seventeen Christians began plans for the formation of what was to become the Black Creek Mennonite Brethren Church. The decision was formalized 6 January 1935, with 34 members under the leadership of Franz Friesen, who served as the first pastor. After considerable discussion, the name Merville Mennonite Brethren Church was chosen, since, at that time, Merville, British Columbia was the closest post office. However, as of a 1 February 1937 meeting, the official name was changed to Black Creek Mennonite Brethren Church. During this same meeting, members also decided to seek affiliation with the British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.
Land for a building site was donated by a Mr. Goertzen and Henry Falk, and a five-dollar per member levy also helped cover costs. The building was dedicated December 1937, and with a 150 seating capacity, served the church until 1953. At this time a new structure, seating about 200 people, was built almost entirely with volunteer labour. The new building was dedicated 11 April 1954 with J. F. Redekop and Johannes A. Harder as guest speakers.
In 1960, the congregation hired Johannes A. Harder as its first paid pastor - John A. Goerz had been the first paid minister. Harder served the church for three years, helping it through a difficult transition to English-language services.
A foyer section with additional Sunday school classes was added in the summer of 1966, and, in 1973, a two storey educational wing was added.
In 2010 the congregation had a membership of 242 and an average attendance of 178.
Bibliography
Mennonite Brethren Herald (27 May 1988): 13.
Archival Records
Microfilmed records at Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies.
Additional Information
Address: 7898 Island Highway, Black Creek BC V9J 1G5
Phone: 250-337-5423
Church website: Black Creek MB 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 (1935-2002)
Black Creek MB Ministers
Minister | Years |
---|---|
Jacob Falk | 1940-1942 |
John A. Goerz | 1942-1956 |
Jacob B. Falk | 1956-1960 |
Jacob Schoenke | 1940-1960 |
Cornelius Thiessen | 1956-1960 |
Bernard Falk | 1956-1960 |
Alvin Philippsen | 1956-1960 |
Abert Wedel | 1956-1960 |
Johannes A. Harder | 1960-1963 |
John E. Klassen | 1963-1974 |
Albert Durksen | 1975-1980 |
John Falk | 1981-1985 |
Alvin Philippsen | 1985-1986 |
Barry Falk | 1987-present |
Black Creek MB Membership
Year | Membership |
---|---|
1935 | 25 |
1941 | 45 |
1945 | 27 |
1950 | 52 |
1955 | 69 |
1960 | 89 |
1965 | 91 |
1970 | 95 |
1975 | 82 |
1980 | 75 |
1985 | 75 |
1990 | 69 |
1995 | 128 |
2000 | 163 |
2004 | 205 |
2010 | 242 |
Maps
Map:Black Creek MB Church (Black Creek, BC)
Author(s) | John A. Goerz |
---|---|
Hugo Friesen | |
Date Published | November 2010 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Goerz, John A. and Hugo Friesen. "Black Creek Community Church (Black Creek, British Columbia, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. November 2010. Web. 18 Aug 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Black_Creek_Community_Church_(Black_Creek,_British_Columbia,_Canada)&oldid=114590.
APA style
Goerz, John A. and Hugo Friesen. (November 2010). Black Creek Community Church (Black Creek, British Columbia, Canada). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 18 August 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Black_Creek_Community_Church_(Black_Creek,_British_Columbia,_Canada)&oldid=114590.
Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 351. All rights reserved.
©1996-2024 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.