Aberdeen Mennonite Brethren Church (Aberdeen, Saskatchewan, Canada)
The first settlers, consisting of seven families, came to the Aberdeen area of Saskatchewan in May 1903. At first, the Aberdeen settlers gathered in the home of G. J. Sawatzky, a deacon from Russia, for regular church services. In 1904, when more settlers came from Russia, local services were organized, Sunday School was begun, and a choir was formed under the leadership of 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
Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches
General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches
Aberdeen MB Church Leading Ministers
| 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 |
| Author(s) | J. H. Epp |
|---|---|
| Marlene Epp | |
| Date Published | August 1986 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Epp, J. H. and Marlene Epp. "Aberdeen Mennonite Brethren Church (Aberdeen, Saskatchewan, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. August 1986. Web. 18 Dec 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Aberdeen_Mennonite_Brethren_Church_(Aberdeen,_Saskatchewan,_Canada)&oldid=128528.
APA style
Epp, J. H. and Marlene Epp. (August 1986). Aberdeen Mennonite Brethren Church (Aberdeen, Saskatchewan, Canada). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 18 December 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Aberdeen_Mennonite_Brethren_Church_(Aberdeen,_Saskatchewan,_Canada)&oldid=128528.
Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 7. All rights reserved.
©1996-2024 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.