1966–2006.
21.75 cm of textual records, 2 microfilm reels.
Administrative history
On September 26, 1966 six people met to found the King Road Mennonite Brethren Church. They were unhappy that the South Abbotsford MB Church decided on August 29, 1966 to end services in the German language. In total 55 people left to join the King Road church. Many of these people were post World War Two immigrants to Canada from Russia and Germany. They bought a vacant church building from the United Church and formed an new independent church.
The first service had 73 people in attendance and Rev. Jacob Dueck of the Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren Church served as guest speaker. After serving as guest speakers for two Sundays the Duecks consented to assume leadership of the group, and on December 11, 1966, Rev. C.D. Toews officially installed Rev. Dueck as pastor.
In spring of 1967, the small congregation took another step of faith and launched a building project. By the time of dedication on October 15, the building was fully paid for.
In November 1967, Heinrich Loewen and family emigrated from Paraguay and he served in the preaching ministry at King Road. He also served as assistant leader for a number of years. Unfortunately, due to failing health, Rev. Dueck was forced to give up leadership in 1970. Thankfully, Jacob Franz, who had retired from a missionary assignment in Paraguay, declared willingness to assume leadership of the church. He served faithfully from 1971–1978, when the Lord called him to Himself in November 1978. Peter C. Penner and family were then asked to assume leadership of the church.
Due to growth, an addition to the building was built in 1976, but the church continued to grow and in 1979 an additional two acres were purchased to provide parking space. In 1978 the church became affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Conference.
As the emigrants became acculturated, the youth Sunday school, as well as some of the children’s Sunday school classes were held in English. The question of conducting at least part of the morning worship service in English was placed in the agenda in 1981.
When A.J Klassen and family assumed the pastorate in August of 1981, the local fire inspector informed him that the overcrowded conditions were a fire hazard. Undertaking a building project in the middle of a depression seemed inadvisable, but due to low visibility in the annex and having to take turns sitting in the basement, the majority of the congregation voted in favour of building. On April 4, 1982, after a joyful baptismal service, the groundbreaking took place, and a public dedication of the building took place on January 16, 1983. Since then, a short English meditation has been added to the service to meet the needs of the young people and children.
Those to have led the congregation include: Jacob Dueck (1966–1970), Jacob Franz (1971–1978), Peter Penner (1978–1981), A.J. Klassen (1981–1984), Abe Konrad (1985–1994), Frank Peters (1994–1997), Alvin Enns (1997–2002), Andrew Dyck (2002–2007), Harry Heidebrecht, Interim (2007-2009), Don Petker (2009- ).
Scope and content
This fonds contains a brief historical sketch, 2 – 25th anniversary books, bulletins and congregational and church council meeting minutes.
Custodial history
It is unknown when this material came to the archives.
Notes
- Description by Shauna Hudson, May 28, 2004; edited by Sheralyn Heinrichs, August 12, 2005 and Conrad Stoesz, November 27, 2006; updated by Yvonne Snider-Nighswander, October 17, 2011.
- Location: Volume 364–365, microfilm reels 61–62.
- No restrictions on access.
- Finding aid consists of a file list.
Textual file list
Volume 364
1. Historical Sketch. --1966–1985
2. 2 25th Anniversary Yearbooks. -- 1966–1991
3. Bulletins. -- 1985
4. Bulletins. -- 1986
5. Bulletins. -- 1987
6. Bulletins. -- 1988
7. Bulletins. -- 1989
8. Bulletins. -- 1990
9. Bulletins. -- 1991
10. Bulletins. -- 1992
11. Bulletins. -- 1993
12. Bulletins. -- 1994
13. Bulletins. -- 1995
14. Bulletins. -- 1996
15. Bulletins. -- 1997
16. Bulletins. -- 1998
17. Bulletins. -- 1999
Volume 365
1. Bulletins. -- 2000
2. Bulletins. -- 2003
3. Bulletins. -- 2004
4. Bulletins. -- 2005
5. Bulletins. -- 2006a
6. Bulletins. -- 2006b
Volume 1332
1. Bulletins. -- 2008.
2. Bulletins. -- 2009.
3. Bulletins. -- 2010.
Microfilm file list
Reel 61
Congregational and Church Council Meeting Minutes. Dec 1974–Jan 1974 2326–2398
Congregational and Church Council Meeting Minutes. Dec 1975–Jan 1975 2207–2325
Congregational and Church Council Meeting Minutes. Dec 1976–Jan 1976 2095–2206
Congregational and Church Council Meeting Minutes. Dec 1977–Jan 1977 1990–2094
Reel 62
Congregational and Church Council Meeting Minutes. Dec 1967–Sep 1966 552–672
Congregational and Church Council Meeting Minutes. Dec 1967–Jan 1967 483–551
Congregational and Church Council Meeting Minutes. Dec 1968–Jan 1968 383–482
Congregational and Church Council Meeting Minutes. Dec 1969–Jan 1969 293–382
Congregational and Church Council Meeting Minutes. Dec 1970–Jan 1970 208–292
Congregational and Church Council Meeting Minutes. Dec 1971–Jan 1971 135–208
Congregational and Church Council Meeting Minutes. Dec 1972–Jan 1972 82–134
Congregational and Church Council Meeting Minutes. Dec 1973–Jan 1973 1–81
