1947–1998.
4 cm of textual records, 1 microfilm.
Administrative history
The Ross Road Community Church in Abbotsford, British Columbia was originally known as the East Aldergrove Mennonite Brethren Church. The North Abbotsford (later known as the Clearbrook MB Church) was full. So on January 2, 1947, thirty members met at the Hermann Klassen residence on Ross Road to discuss the establishment of a new fellowship in the Aldergrove area.
In February the group decided to purchase 5 acres of land for a church on the corner of Ross Road and McClure Road. Here a basement was built with donated money and time from the charter members – many of whom were farmers in the area. The first worship service was held here on June 13, 1947 and led by Rev. J.F. Redekop. The rest of the building was completed on April 24, 1949.
Reverend Gerhard Warkentin was elected as the first leader in 1949 and by 1950 the membership stood at 179. Warkentin felt the church needed someone who could speak more fluently in English and as a result Reverend Herman Voth accepted a position as pastor in 1956.
In 1962 the church had a face-life, including painting and plumbing. In the spring of 1964, there was a fire in the church. Thankfully the church was saved from total disaster.
In 1969 it was decided to build an educational wing adjacent to the Church; which was dedicated on February 1, 1970. In 1977 a multi-purpose building with classrooms and gym, as well as a new sanctuary for the future was added. In 1981 the old sanctuary was demolished and a bigger one built in its place. By 1992 membership stood at 416 and by 2000 was 337. In 2000 the church changed its name from Aldergrove Mennonite Brethren Church to the Ross Road Community Church.
Leaders in the church included Gerhard Warkentin (1947–1956), Herman Voth (1956–1963), C.D. Toews (1964–1970), Rudie Willms (1970–1984), Wilf Richert (1984–1985), John Froese (1985–1986), Dan Warkentin (1987–1988), Jay Neufeld (1988–1993), John Nikkel (1993–2000), Herb Neufeld (2000–2003), Al Stobbe (Interim 2003–2004), James Penner (2004– ).
Scope and content
These fonds consists of historical sketches, photo directories, 30th anniversary book, bulletins, membership and family register of baptisms and marriages, congregational meeting minutes and church council meeting minutes.
Custodial history
Some textual materials came to the archives in 1982 but it is unclear when other materials came to the archives. The microfilmed material came to the archives after a Conference wide microfilming program in ca. 1978 lead by J.B. Toews.
Notes
- Location: Volume 354, microfilm 60.
- Description by Shauna Hudson, May 2004; edited by Conrad Stoesz, January 23, 2007.
- Finding aid consists of a file list.
- No restrictions on access.
- Accession No. 1982-14.
Textual file list
Volume 354 Date
1. Historical sketches of the East Aldergrove Mennonite Brethren Church. 1947–1985, 2007
2. 30th Anniversary Photo directory, address and history book. 1980, 1982, 1985
3. Bulletins. 1968
4. Bulletins. 1969
5. Bulletins. 1970
6. Bulletins. 1971
7. Bulletins. 1998
Microfilm file list
Reel 60 Date Pages
25th Anniversary History. 1525–1529
Membership and Family Register – Baptisms and Marriages. Book I. 1947–1957 1193–1293
Membership and Family Register – Baptisms and Marriages. Book II. 1957–1975 1294–1381
Membership and Family Register. (Card System). 1975–1978 1382–1524
Congregational Meeting Minutes. Jan 1947–Feb 1951 1–196
Congregational Meeting Minutes. Mar 1951–Mar 1957 197–441
Congregational Meeting Minutes. Apr 1957–Dec 1962 442–639
Congregational Meeting Minutes. Dec 1962–Dec 1971 640–832
Congregational Meeting Minutes. Dec 1971–Nov 1975 833–878
Church Council Meeting Minutes. Dec 1956–Mar 1965 879–1071
Church Council Meeting Minutes. Apr 1965–Nov 1975 1972–1192
Bulletins. 1968, 1970–1971
