Saanich Community Church (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada)
In 1968, John and Evelyn Baerg were sent to the Saanich, British Columbia area by the British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches' Board of Church Extension to conduct outreach programs specifically aimed at University of Victoria students. Attendance at the initial services was served by an influx of migrants from the Fraser Valley. In 1970, George and Carol Brown came to the area to assist in the efforts already underway. The church formally organized with 18 members in 1971, and two years later the congregation joined the provincial and national conferences of Mennonite Brethren Churches.
Initially, the congregation met in various local homes and community centers. Eventually, the church purchased a building in 1975. A subsequent building program occurred in 1988. John Baerg is considered the founding leader of the group. The congregation originated through the movement of Mennonites to Victoria from the Fraser Valley and outreach by the British Columbia Mennonite Brethren Conference. The outreach was conceived as a ministry to students at the nearby University of Victoria.
Bibliography
Mennonite Reporter (19 February 1973): 18; (4 August 1975): 9.
Mennonite Brethren Herald (27 May 1988): 13.
Archival Records
Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies: Volume 387, microfilm 69.
Records kept at the church.
Additional Information
Address: 4566 West Saanich Road, Victoria BC V8Z 3G4
Phone: 250-479-0410
Website: Saanich Community Church
Denominational Affiliations:
British Columbia Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Churches (1973-present)
Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1973-present)
General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1973-2002)
Saanich Community Church Pastors
| Pastor | Years |
|---|---|
| John Baerg | 1968-1970 |
| George Brown | 1970-1979 |
| Paul Unger | 1979-1984 |
| Leslie Biggs | 1984-1990 |
| Doug Enns | 1990-1999 |
| Marvin Schmidt (interim) | 2000-2001 |
| David Eagle | 2002-2008 |
| Kathleen Busch (interim) | 2008-2010 |
| Ken Peters | 2010-present |
Saanich Community Church Membership
| Year | Members | Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 30 | |
| 1980 | 35 | |
| 1985 | 45 | |
| 1990 | 50 | |
| 1995 | 54 | |
| 2000 | 54 | |
| 2005 | 97 | |
| 2010 | 66 | 105 |
| 2015 | 63 | 67 |
| 2020 | 69 | 40 |
Maps
Saanich Community Church, Victoria, BC
| Author(s) | Andrew Klager |
|---|---|
| Date Published | June 2023 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Klager, Andrew. "Saanich Community Church (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. June 2023. Web. 21 Nov 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Saanich_Community_Church_(Victoria,_British_Columbia,_Canada)&oldid=175828.
APA style
Klager, Andrew. (June 2023). Saanich Community Church (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 21 November 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Saanich_Community_Church_(Victoria,_British_Columbia,_Canada)&oldid=175828.
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