1933–2010.
56 cm of textual records and 1 microfilm reel.
Administrative history
In the 1920’s, the only church in Winnipeg was the North-End MB Church. This made traveling to the church difficult for the people living in the south end of Winnipeg. This group began to meet in their own part of town in a rented chapel. The church then rented a second story room but decided to move to a kindergarten room after realizing that their neighbors on the same floor were spiritualists. In 1933, a building was purchased at 344 Ross Avenue. In 1936, the congregation became independent from the North End MB Church and was officially accepted into the MB Conference. In 1940 the South End MB Church bought The former Wesley Methodist Church at William and Juno. In 1961 a new church was built on Portage Avenue at Raglan Road. The South End MB Church changed its name to Portage Avenue MB Church. This church has initiated two other fellowships. Brooklands church was developed in the early 1960’s and the Westwood church was developed in 1980.
The leaders of the church included: Peter J. Kornelsen (1936–1947), Henry H. Janzen (1947–1950), Jacob P. Neufeld (1950–1961), Henry R. Baerg (1962–1969), Henry H. Voth (1970–1980), Frank C. Peters (1980–1983), Abram J. Neufeld (1983–1986), Albert Baerg (1987–1990), Roland Marsch (1991–1997), Cliff Janzen (1998-1999), Claude Pratt (1999-2006), Travis Reimer (2007-2011), George Toews (2012- ).
The language of worship is English. The transition from German occured in the 1950's.
Scope and content
This fonds consists of information for a historical sketch, directories, pictorial membership books, weekly bulletins, newsletters, annual reports, minutes from the congregational meetings, church council meetings, board of trustees, finance committee, financial information, Sunday School information, special reports and miscellaneous documents and correspondence.
Custodial history
Some of the records were microfilmed in 1978 through the work of the Historical Commission of the Mennonite Brethren Conference.
Notes
- Volumes 493–495.
- Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BC525 (series description and file list available).
- Finding aid for microfilm: R82, pp 973–1114, 1118–1860, 1938–2343; R83, pp 98–1813.
- Microfilm file list adapted from a previous finding aid by Leslie Wiebe June 2003.
- Updated by Yvonne Snider-Nighswander 5 October 2011.
- No restrictions on access.
Series description
Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church history.
1983, 1986.
1 cm of textual records.
This series consists of information for a historical sketch and a pictorial history book on the church.
- Finding aid: Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church file list no. 1.
Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church constitutions.
undated.
45 pp; microfilm.
This series consists of the church constitution.
- Finding aid: microfilm R82, pp 973–1018.
Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church directories.
1955, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1986.
3 cm of textual records.
This series consists of the church directories and pictorial membership books.
- Finding aid: Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church file list no. 2–3.
Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church bulletins.
1970–2010.
30cm of textual records.
This series consists of the weekly bulletins.
- Finding aid: Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church file list no. 4–32.
Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church newsletter.
1977, 1985, 1989, 1993–1997, 2008.
2 cm of textual records and 126 pp (microfilm).
This series consists of the church newsletters and
Portage Avenue Together.
- Finding aid: Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church file list no. 33, 53.
- microfilm R83, pp 1687–1813.
Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church membership and family records.
1936–1977.
146 pp; microfilm.
This series consists of the membership registers – 1936–1960, and a marriage register – 1947–1977.
- Finding aid: microfilm R82, pp 1019–1114, 1118–1280.
Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church annual reports.
1958–1978, 1983.
0.25 cm of textual records and 280 pp (microfilm).
This series consists of the annual reports and some statements of the finance committee.
- Finding aid: Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church file list no. 34.
- microfilm R83, 1251–1540.
Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church membership meetings.
1933–1979, 1983–1986.
2 cm of textual records and 1081 pp (microfilm).
This series consists of the minutes from the congregational meetings as well as some annual reports.
- Finding aid: Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church file list no. 35–36.
- microfilm R82, pp 1281–1860, 1938–2343; R83, pp 1–97.
Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church council meetings.
1934–1979, 1983–1987.
2.5 cm of textual records and 771 pp (microfilm).
This series consists of the minutes from the church council meetings.
- Finding aid: Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church file list no. 37–38.
- microfilm R83, pp 98–869.
Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church board of trustees.
1963–1979, 1984–1986.
2.5 cm of textual records and 413 pp (microfilm).
This series consists of the minutes from the board of trustees, finance committee and the building and grounds committee, as well as some financial information.
- Finding aid: Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church file list no. 39–42.
- microfilm R83, pp 870–1250, 1643–1686.
Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church board of deacons.
1974–1977.
10 pp; microfilm.
This series consists of the minutes from the board of deacons meetings.
- Finding aid: microfilm R83, pp 1621–1631.
Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church board of Christian Education.
1964–1973.
0.15 cm of textual records and 279 pp (microfilm).
This series consists of the Christian Education Committee minutes and related material and an undated Sunday School attendance book.
- Finding aid: Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church file list no. 43.
- microfilm R83, pp 1541–1620.
Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church committees.
1978–1987.
4 cm of textual records and 10 pp (microfilm).
This series consists of the minutes from the evangelism committee and the administrative committee, and some special reports.
- Finding aid: Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church file list no. 44–45, 47.
- microfilm R83, pp 1632–1642.
Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church statistical reports.
1949–1968.
1 cm of textual records.
This series consists of the Canadian Conference statistical reports.
- Finding aid: Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church file list no. 46.
Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church miscellaneous.
1935–1993.
2 cm of textual records.
This series consists of miscellaneous items, correspondence, information and correspondence about Donwood West and a newspaper clipping from the Winnipeg Free Press.
- Finding aid: Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church file list no. 48–51.
Textual file list
Volume 493
1. History. -- 1952, 1983, 1986
2. Directories. -- 1955, 1970, 1972, 1996.
3. Pictorial Membership Books and Anniversary Book. -- 1967–1988, 1996
3a. Bulletins. -- 1968.
3b. 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
14. Bulletins. -- 1980
15. Bulletins. -- 1981
16. Bulletins. -- 1982
17. Bulletins. -- 1983
18. Bulletins. -- 1984
19. Bulletins. -- 1985
20. Bulletins. -- 1986
21. Bulletins. -- 1987
22. Bulletins. -- 1988
23. Bulletins. -- 1989
24. Bulletins. -- 1990
25. Bulletins. -- 1991
26. Bulletins. -- 1992
27. Bulletins. -- 1993
28. Bulletins. -- 1994
29. Bulletins. -- 1995
30. Bulletins. -- 1996
31. Bulletins. -- 1997
32. Bulletins. -- 1998
33. Newsletters. -- 1977, 1985, 1989, 1993–1997, 2008
34. Annual Reports. -- 1983
35. Membership Meetings. -- 1983–1984
36. Membership Meetings. -- 1985–1986
37. Council Meetings. -- 1983–1984
38. Council Meetings. -- 1985–1987
39. Board of Trustees. -- 1985–1986
40. Finance Committee. -- 1984–1986
41. Finances. -- 1985–1986
41 a. Purchase of South End Church. -- 1933, 1938, 1940
Volume 494
1. Church bulletins. -- 2001.
2. Church bulletins. -- 2002.
3. Church bulletins. -- 2003.
4. Church bulletins. -- 2004.
5. Church bulletins. -- 2005.
6. Church bulletins. -- 2006.
7. Church bulletins. -- 2007.
8. Church bulletins. -- 2008.
Volume 495
1. Financial Reports. -- 1979, 1985.
2. Sunday School. -- [19--].
3. Evangelism Committee Minutes. -- 1978–1981
4. Administrative Committee Meetings. -- 1984–1987
5. Statistical Reports. -- 1949–1969
6. Special Reports. -- 1984–1986
7. Newspaper Clippings. -- 1993
8. Donwood West. -- 1984–1986
9. Correspondence and Miscellaneous. -- 1985–1986
10. Miscellaneous Items. -- 1935–1984
11. Portage Avenue Together. -- 1991–1993
12. Abe and Irene Neufeld Appreciation. -- [19--].
13. Church Membership List. -- [19--].
14. Church Membership List. -- 1988
15. Constitution. -- [19--].
Volume 1337
1. Church bulletins; Bits & Bytes. -- 2009.
2. Church bulletins; Bits & Bytes. -- 2010.
Microfilm file list
Reel 82
Church Constitution (Book I). undated 973–1018
Membership Register (Book II). 1936–1942 1019–1091
Membership Register (Book III). 1942–1948 1092–1114
Membership Register (Book IV). 1947–1949 1118–1149
Marriage Register (Book VII). 1947–1977 1181–1280
Membership Register (Book V). 1949–1952 1150–1160
Membership Register (Book VI). 1952–1960 1161–1180
Annual Reports and Statements of Finance Committee (Book XVII). 1958–1978 1251–1540
Congregational Meeting Minutes (Book VIII) Jun 1933–Dec 1944 1281–1458
Congregational Meeting Minutes and Annual Reports (Book IX). Dec 9, 1944–May 1969 1459–1860
Congregational Meeting Minutes and Annual Reports (Book X). Apr 1970–Dec 1973 1938–2170
Congregational Meeting Minutes and Annual Reports (Book XI). Jan 1974–Dec 1976 2171–2343
Reel 83
Congregational Meeting Minutes and Annual Reports (Book XI). Jan 1977–Feb 1979 1–97
Church Council Meeting Minutes (Book XII). Jan 1934–Jun 1954 98–273
Church Council Meeting Minutes (Book XIII). Aug 1954–Nov 1973 274–593
Church Council Meeting Minutes (Book XIV). Jan 1974–Mar 1979 594–869
Board of Trustees Minutes (Book XV). Oct 1964–Feb 1979 870–1139
Finance Committee Minutes (Book XVI). May 1963–Feb 1979 1140–1250
Building and Grounds Committee Minutes (Book XXI). Jun 1974–Jan 1979 1643–1686
Board of Deacons Minutes (Book XIX). Oct 1974–Nov 1977 1621–1631
Christian Education Committee/Board Minutes (Book XVIII). Jun 1964–Oct 1973 1541–1620
Board of Evangelism Minutes (Book XX). Jan 1978–Apr 1979 1632–1642
Churchways, church newsletter (Book XXII). Feb 1977–Apr 1979 1687–1813
