1961–1991.
24 cm of textual records, 2 microfilm reels, 1 photo.
Administrative history
The Killarney Park Mennonite Brethren Church is an offspring of the Fraserview Mennonite Brethren Church in British Columbia. The Vancouver Mennonite Brethren Church and the Fraserview Mennonite Brethren Church had purchased land to join forces and plant a third Mennonite Brethren church in Vancouver. This plan, however, failed. Instead, Vancouver MB built Willingdon and Fraserview built Killarney Park. The church building was finished in 1961 and was dedicated on June 18, 1961. The congregation began with 178 charter members and Herb Brandt was called to be the first leader. He was officially called into full-time ministry in January 1962 until 1970.
In 1971 Bob Roxburgh was hired and he served until 1974 along with Ron Penner – who took on more responsibilities after Bob left. Brian Friesen succeeded Ron Penner to become full-time youth pastor.
Wally Gripp came to the church in 1975. He too served for a three-year term. Both he and Brian left in 1978. The church then found Jacob Quiring who served as part-time interim until June 1980. Dietmar Neufeld took leadership until 1984. The load of being the sole pastor was quite heavy, so a co-pastor, Raymond Bystrom, joined him in 1982. As of 1985, Bystorm was the lead pastor of the church, assisted by Jake Klassen, the minister of music and worship.
In 1985, the church had decided to hire to interns to work with the youth. They were Randy Klassen and Lis Bach. Several years earlier, BC churches were also encouraged to adopt a “sister church”, so Killarney Park adopted Eagle Ridge Bible Fellowship. They were a group without a facility at the time. Killarney paid the interest on a loan for them for three years.
Leaders to the congregation include the following: Herb Brandt (1961–1970), Bob Roxburgh (1971–1974), Dan Friesen, Wally Gripp (1975–1978), Jacob Quiring (1978–1980), Dietmar Neufeld (1980–1984), Raymond Bystrom (1985–1987), George Warkentin (1990–1992), Gordon Stewart (1992–1994), Ken Peters (1994– ). The Church has been a part of the BC and the Canadian conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches since 1961.
In 1979 membership stood at 344 and as of 2004 there were 134 members with approximately 162 attendees.
Scope and content
This fonds consists of history, bulletins, annual reports, constitutions, membership register, congregational and church board meeting minutes.
Custodial history
It is unclear when the materials came to the archives.
Notes
- Location: Volume 382, microfilm reels 69–70.
- Description by Shauna Hudson, June 10, 2004; edited by Sheralyn Heinrichs, August 12, 2005.
- Finding aid consists of a file list.
- No restrictions on access.
Textual file list
Volume 382 Date
1. History. 1961–1985
2. Bulletins. 1968
3. Bulletins. 1969
4. Bulletins. 1970
5. Bulletins. 1971
6. Bulletins. 1972
7. Bulletins. 1973
8. Bulletins. 1974
9. Bulletins. 1975
10. Bulletins. 1976
11. Bulletins. 1977
12. Bulletins. 1978
13. Bulletins. 1979
Volume 383 Date
1. Bulletins. 1980
2. Bulletins. 1981
3. Bulletins. 1982
4. Bulletins. 1983
5. Bulletins. 1984
6. Bulletins. 1985
7. Bulletins. 1991
Microfilm file list
Reel 69 Date Pages
Constitutions. 1977 2034–2059
Congregational Meeting Minutes. Jun 1961–Jun 1967 1412–1541
Congregational Meeting Minutes. Oct 1967–Mar 1972 1542–1622
Congregational Meeting Minutes. Jun 1972–Jun 1973 1623–1646
Congregational Meeting Minutes. Jan 1974–Oct 1978 1647–1796
Church Board Meeting Minutes. Jul 1961–May 1967 1797–1932
Church Board Meeting Minutes. Jun 1967–Jun 1973 1933–2033
Church Board Meeting Minutes (Constitution 2034–2059). Jan 1974–Oct 1978 2034–2187
Reel 70 Date Pages
Membership Register. current [1977?] 645–659
Annual Reports. 1962, 1965–1978 106–644
Church Board Meeting Minutes. Jun 1977–Oct 1978 1–105
