Evangelical Fellowship Church (Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada)
Two brothers, Ike and George Friesen, and their families as well as some young people from the Christian Fellowship Chapel of Stratton, Ontario moved to Fort Frances as they became involved in the logging business. They felt the need to form a fellowship group so Bible studies were started by Phil Friesen, a minister from Stratton. Later, Harvey Barkman led these Bible studies. After Harvey Barkman left the community, the group decided it wished to meet on Sundays and to form a congregation.
The group contacted Ben Friesen of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. A meeting at "Gramma's Pizza" in Fort Frances confirmed strong interest in beginning a congregation. Friesen then made arrangements for visiting ministers to speak at the fellowship's Sunday services then held at the West End Hall (a skating rink).
Henry and Tina Kornelsen of Ridgewood, MB felt the call to be church planters and came to Fort Frances on 1 July 1987 to be the group's first pastor. Their enthusiasm, friendliness and energy greatly encouraged the work. The fellowship became a chartered church within the Evangelical Mennonite Conference at a special service on 1 May 1988. There were eleven members and three associate members at that time.
Attendance increased and Sunday school space was required. The Jehovah's Witness hall on Webster Ave. became available, and with assistance from the conference, other churches and generous individuals, the building was purchased. The dedication service took place on 27 November 1988. In 1990 the congregation added a basement to the building. In 2003 there was a "facelift" with new siding, doors and a new sign.
By 2003 average Sunday service was approximately 45-60 people. Although Fort Frances EMC was initially considered a mission church, within several years the congregation was debt free and self-supporting. The church held two Bible Studies a week and supports a youth group that meets regularly throughout the year. The congregation has also held a camping weekend each fall for church familes and others. The congregation's goal to extend God's love to all who enter the church.
Bibliography
Messenger (13 January 1989): 8; (27 May 1988): 11.
Additional Information
Address: 605 McIrvine Road, Fort Frances, Ontario
Phone: (807) 274-2328
Website: Evangelical Fellowship Church
Denominational Affiliation: Evangelical Mennonite Conference
Evangelical Fellowship Church Pastoral Leaders
| Henry Kornelsen | 1987-1992 |
| John Hiebert | 1992-1994 |
| Interim Arrangements | 1994-1997 |
| Jeff Plett | 1997- |
Evangelical Fellowship Church Church Membership
| Year | Membership |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 24 |
| 1995 | 15 |
| 2000 | 25 |
| 2005 | 33 |
| 2010 | 35 |
| 2015 | 40 |
| Author(s) | Evelyn Hicks |
|---|---|
| Date Published | September 2003 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Hicks, Evelyn. "Evangelical Fellowship Church (Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. September 2003. Web. 9 Oct 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Evangelical_Fellowship_Church_(Fort_Frances,_Ontario,_Canada)&oldid=172181.
APA style
Hicks, Evelyn. (September 2003). Evangelical Fellowship Church (Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 9 October 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Evangelical_Fellowship_Church_(Fort_Frances,_Ontario,_Canada)&oldid=172181.
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