1933–2007.
23 cm of textual records and 1 microfilm reel.
Administrative history
The Niverville Mennonite Brethren Church began in 1929 when recent Mennonite immigrants from Russia settled in Niverville and organized an official fellowship. At first both Mennonite Brethren and General Conference Mennonite families met together in the Niverville United Church. Later the group met at the John Friesen home and in the Lutheran church. Teachers assisted with the preaching ministry. In 1937, a lot in town was donated for a church building. The first building was built during the 1940’s. In 1970, a new building with a 320 seat capacity was completed.
In 2001 Niverville Mennonite Brethren Church was renamed Fourth Avenue Bible Church.
The leaders of the church included: Abram J. Janzen (1929–ca.1932), Franz Gunther (ca.1932–1933), Jacob. P. Epp (1934–1937), William W. Dyck (1939–1955), David Dick (1956–1963), Heinrich Regehr (1964), William W. Dyck (1965–1968), Abe Konrad (1973–1984), Victor Toews (1985), Henry Regier (1986–1991), Terry Kaethler (1993), Jake Bergen (Interim Pastor, 1995), Rick McCorkindale (1996-2002), Neil Block (Interim Pastor, 2003), Daniel Williams (2004-2006), Sieg Wall (Interim Pastor, 2007).
The language of worship is English. The transition from German occured in the 1970's.
Scope and content
This fonds consists of membership records, congregational, christian education and council meeting minutes, financial ledgers, historical information and weekly bulletins.
Custodial history
Some of the records were microfilmed in 1978 through the work of the Historical Commission of the Mennonite Brethren Conference.
Notes
- Volume 434, 1260.
- Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BC513 (series description and file list available).
- Finding aid for microfilm: R88, pp. 1–482.
- Microfilm file list adapted from a previous finding aid by Leslie Wiebe June 2003.
- Description updated by Tamara Dyck, March 2010.
Series description
Niverville Mennonite Brethren Church History. – 1967, 1974, 1979, 1985.
3 mm of textual material.
This series consists of an article from The Canadian Mennonite, some historical sketches, one by Anne Dyck, and a bulletin from 1979 celebrating the 50th anniversary.
- Finding aid: Volume 434, no. 1.
Niverville Mennonite Brethren Church Bulletins. – 1981, 1985–1990.
3.5 cm of textual material.
This series consists of the weekly bulletins dating from 1981, 1985–1990.
- Finding aid: Volume 434, no. 2–8.
Niverville Mennonite Brethren Church Membership Records. – 1933–1979.
5 cm of textual material. 176 pp.; microfilm.
This series consists of a church family membership register and a marriage register microfilmed in 1979.
- Finding aid: R88, pp.1–176.
Volume 1260, no. 9-10.
Niverville Mennonite Brethren Church Congregational Meetings. – 1953–1979.
2 cm of textual material. 342 pp.; microfilm.
This series consists of minutes of membership meetings.
- Finding aid: R88, pp.177–418.
Volume 1260, no. 5.
Niverville Mennonite Brethren Church Council Meetings. – 1971–1977.
10 cm of textual material. 64 pp.; microfilm.
This series consists of minutes of church council meetings.
- Finding aid: R88, pp. 419–482.
Volume 1260, no. 1-4, 6-7.
Niverville Mennonite Brethren Church Financial Records. -- 1953-1966.
2 cm of textual material.
This series consists of financial records for the church.
- Finding aid: Volume 1260, no. 8.
Textual file list
Volume 434
- Niverville MB Church History. – 1967, 1974, 1979, 1985.
- Bulletins. – 1981.
- Bulletins. – 1985.
- Bulletins. – 1986.
- Bulletins. – 1987.
- Bulletins. – 1988.
- Bulletins. – 1989.
- Bulletins. – 1990.
- Constitution. -- 1985.
- Church directories. -- ca. 1983-1999.
Volume 1260
- Church Council Minutes. Book #4.(#25) -- 1971-1977.
- Christian Education Minutes. (#26) -- 1975-1978
- Church Minutes. (#17) -- 1935-1945.
- Church Minutes. (#9) -- 1946-1953.
- Congergational Minutes. (#16) -- 1953-1967.
- Church Minutes.(#6) -- 1967-1968, 1971-1978.
- Church Minutes. (18) -- 1968-1979.
- Ledger. (#24) -- 1953-1966.
- Familienregester der Mennoniten Brueder Gemeinde um Niverville, MB. (#23) -- n.d.
- Church Membership and Family Register. (#31) -- ca. 1933-1979.
Microfilm file list
Reel 88
- Church Membership and Family Registers (Book I). – ca.1933–1979. – p.1–149.
- Marriage Register (Book II). – 1970–1979. – p.150–176.
- Congregational Meeting Minutes (Book III). – Sept.1953–Feb.1979. – p.177–418.
- Church Council Meeting Minutes (Book IV). – May 1971–Nov.1977. – p.419–482.
