4. Winkler Bible Institute – Winkler, MB
1925–1997.
18 m of textual records (4.3 m processed, 13.7 m unprocessed), photographs (processed and unprocessed), sound recordings (processed and unprocessed), annual student yearbooks, posters and other unprocessed material.
Administrative history
Winkler Bible Institute, located in Winkler, Manitoba was founded in the fall of 1925 by A.H. Unruh. It was patterned after the Bible school in Tchongrav (Crimea), and was organized by three former teachers of that school. Unruh was the first of them to emigrate, followed by G. J. Reimer in 1926 and J.G. Wiens. The school was erected for the purpose of teaching the Bible, especially to young people, and to prepare them for missionary work as well as pastoral service. Its name was initially Mennonite Bible School Peniel. The name Peniel was based on Genesis 32:26, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” As early as 1926 the name Winkler Bible School and Winkler Bible School Peniel were used interchangeably. In 1968 the name Winkler Bible Institute was officially accepted.
From 1925 to 1944 the responsibility for operating the school lay with a Board of directors or Trustees which consisted of the first three teachers and three non-teaching advisory members. The school was incorporated in 1933. On Oct. 7, 1944, the school was placed under the jurisdiction of the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba, after which time nine men were elected as its Board of Directors. With the creation of a Board of Education for the Manitoba MB Conference in 1964, it became necessary to vest administrative powers to an Executive Committee of each of the Conference schools (e.g. Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute and Winkler Bible School).
A.H. Unruh was the principal from 1925–1944, followed by J.G. Wiens from 1944–1948. Other principals included H.H. Redekop from 1948–1956, G.D. Huebert from 1956–1959, John Goossen from 1959–1969, Henry R. Baerg from 1969–1978, Victor Neufeld from 1978–1987, Eldon DeFehr from 1987–1994 and Paul Kroeker from 1994–1997.
From a single class in 1925, the program developed to a 4-year program offered in 1929. From 1934 to 1944 a 5-year program was offered. Then the school again offered a 4-year program until 1961 when it became a 3-year program. Since 1968 WBI has offered a 2-year program with the exception of the introduction of a 3-year program conferring a Bachelor of Religious Eduction, for a short period around 1980. (Seven B.R.E. graduates in 1979 and four in 1980).
Winkler Bible Institute graduated its last class on April 19, 1997. The decision to close operations of the institution was made on March 27, 1997 when the Committee of Reference and Council, acting as conference-in-interim, accepted the recommendation brought by the Winkler Bible Institute Board that the school be closed. (See MB Herald, May 2, 1997–14; May 16, 1997–12)
Scope and content
This fonds consists of the following series of processed records: Manitoba MB Conference Records regarding Winkler Bible School 1926–1983, early years correspondence and other materials 1928–1959, office files 1965–1982, faculty meetings minutes & other material 1942–1957, office files 1973–1990 predominantly 1978–1990, president’s records 1966–1969, publications 1925–1994, alumni records, posters, photographs and sound recordings.
The unprocessed records consists of Office files from 1982–1997, Student files & transcripts, minutes from 1976–1994, photographs (5 boxes plus 18 framed composite class photos), cassette and reel-to-reel sound recordings (4 boxes), publications (A place called Pniel, posters, brochures, etc.-3 boxes), some financial records (1 box) and a sound recording of the closing celebration service (Acc. no 1997–63)
This fonds also includes another 90 photographs (unprocessed), received between 1992–1995. (See 1995–25, 1995–48 and 1995–60)
Custodial history
The records arrived at the Centre at various times. The first records arrived in December 1977 through the assistance of William Schroeder, Winkler, Manitoba and were accessioned by Archivist Herb Giesbrecht on Jan. 30, 1978. The transfer of these records were authorized by President Henry R. Baerg and came from the school files. Some of the items had been brought to the school by A.A. Hyde who had picked them up a few years before this, when “they were cleaning up the old Hooge house” (former residence). These records were also transferred to the Archives in 1977. Other records such as annual catalogues, student yearbooks and sound recordings (LPs) were donated to the Archives by various individuals over the years. On June 6, 1995 Dr. Abe Dueck, Director of the Centre brought another deposit of materials following a visit to the school. On September 22, 1997 George Martens (Manitoba Conference Treasurer), Wilf Regier (MBCI Business manager) and Abe Dueck transferred the final accumulated records from the school office (13.7 m of textual records plus 12 boxes (photographs, sound recordings & published books).
Notes
- Location: Volumes 217, 219-245.
- A series description and file list available.
- Acc. no. 1992–25, 1995–48, 1995–60, 1997–063, 1998–008
Series description
Winkler Bible Institute Record Group BC242. – 1926–1983.
32 cm of textual records.
This series consists of Committee minutes, reports, correspondence 1926–1965, Executive committee minutes 1973–1983, Faculty minutes and correspondence 1926–1936, records of the WBI Missionsverein 1928–1931, some early student records 1926–1955, and program outlines and reports 1926–1935, 1950–1953, course notes for Bibl. Psychologie 1930-1931, and pamphlet by H. v. Korff on salvation.
- Title based on contents and the Classification Scheme for Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches Archival Records.
Early years correspondence and other materials. – 1928–1959.
40 cm of textual records.
This series includes early student letters of application (Fragebogen) 1928–1949, correspondence of the president 1938–1960, other administrative files 1939–1960, and some early textbooks compiled by teacher A.H. Unruh. (Note other early textbooks compiled by other teachers can be found in the personal papers of Mrs. Ida Penner nee Hiebert – Acc. No. 1995–60).
- Title based on initial box label (“Early years”) and contents of the series.
WBI offices files. – 1965–1982.
1.9 m of textual records.
This series consists of administrative files created by the institution and housed in the office after the first office secretary was hired in 1964. The files are arranged alphabetically and include minutes of the WBI Executive and Faculty 1969–1980.
WBI faculty meetings minutes & other material. – 1942–1958.
5 cm of textual records.
This series contains the two notebooks with faculty minutes 1942–1945, 1954–1957, a file of type faculty minutes 1945–1950, a letter and timetable 1943, and a report from 1958.
WBI office files. – 1973–1990, predominant 1978–1990.
40 cm of textual records.
This series contains files of correspondence to parents 1980–1984, correspondence to pastors 1983–1990, general correspondence 1981–1934, correspondence related to deputation tours to the churches 1981–1986, correspondence with related organizations 1964–1969, files of exams and test 1978–1986, WBI Executive minutes 1973–1974, Faculty minutes 1980–1982, Chapel files 1982–1987, and a partial historical sketch of WBI (1969).
WBI president files. – 1966–1969.
10 cm of textual records.
This series consists of correspondence during the presidency of John H. Goossen.
WBI Publications. – 1925–1994.
65 cm of textual records.
This series includes files of brochures arranged chronologically by decade, files of programs 1974–1980, sample registration packets 1978–1980, newsletters (eg. Alumni News, School Daze, Interaction, Encounter, Pniel Post, New Horizon, Winkler Whatever), annual catalogue, annual student yearbooks, and the published history entitle, A place called Peniel:
Winkler Bible Institute 1925–1975 by G.D. Pries. (An early publication entitled “Der Evangelist von Pniel” published by
Missionsverein and
Bibelschule Pniel in 1929–1930 is filed with the CMBS Periodical collection, as well as one set of WBI Quarterly New, later called “In Touch with WBI”).
WBI alumni records. – 1957–1990.
13 cm of textal records.
This series contains the constitution, minutes, correspondence, and financial records of the WBI Alumni Association.
WBI posters. – 1970–1994.
52 items.
This series consists of promotional posters used for recruitment in the constituent churches, posters announcing events such as the Christmas concert, the Opening program, Graduation, Fall Banquet and Youth Retreat, and large wall calendars.
- Title is based on the function of the items.
WBI Alumni photograph collection. – between 1970 and 1989.
41 photographs.
This series consists of the photographs published in the Winkler Bible Institute Quarterly News (renamed In Touch with Winkler Bible Institute in 1986) and other photos which depict students life which may have been published in the annual student yearbook or considered for publication for the WBI Quarterly News.
- Location: NP55–02.
- Inventory description list available.
WBI photos of organized sports. – between 1970 and 1989.
10 photographs.
This file contains photos which depict the students playing ice hockey, volleyball, floor hockey and downhill skiing.
- Location: NP55–03.
- Inventory description list available.
WBI photos of the campus and buildings. – between 1970 and 1989.
6 photographs.
This file includes 2 aerial views of the campus, 2 views of the Winkler Bible Institute sign, and views of specific buildings.
- Location: NP55–04.
- Inventory description list available.
WBI photos of students performing. – between 1970 and 1989.
4 photographs.
This file shows a men’s quartet, a ladies’ quintet, a female singer with a drummer, and a side view of a ladies section in a choir.
- Location: NP55–05.
- Inventory description list available.
WBI informal photos of students, faculty and staff. – between 1970 and 1989.
13 photos.
This file shows students in the dining hall, students playing monopoly and other games, kitchen personel and teaching faculty interacting with students.
- Location: NP55–06.
- Inventory description list available.
WBI opening program photos. – between 1983 and 1988.
2 photographs.
This file shows the WBI faculty and choir in the school auditorium at a public event at the start of a school year.
- Location: NP55–07.
- Inventory description list available.
WBI Alumni homecoming ’86 photos and negatives. – 1986.
11 photographs and 19 negatives.
This file shows various activities which happened during an alumni homecoming weekend such as in-door soccer, eating in the dining hall, and formal program in the auditorium.
- Location: NP55–08.
- Inventory description list available.
WBI photographs in various personal and institutional files. – 1929–1994.
12 photographs.
This series of files with a brief description of each photographs can be found in the Finding aid for pictures and photographs in the Centre for MB Studies in Canada (1986). They include the personal collections from individuals such as H.H. Voth, MB Herald, Anna Neufeld, Ben Horch, and other unknown sources.
- Title based on the source of the items in the series.
- Location: NP55–1:1–5; NP37–2:53,70; NP44–3:1; NP44–8:23,24; NP59–1:2; NP83–1:2.
- Inventory description list available.
Winkler Bible Institute sound recordings. – between 1950 and 1961.
12 audio discs (ca. 3 hr., 30 min.).
This series consists of recordings produced and distributed by Winkler Bible School under music directors John Boldt (1950–1959) and Rudy Baerg (1959–1961). The content consists of hymns and short choral works sung by a mixed voice choir. The works are performed in either German or English.
- An inventory list of the items is available in the Finding aid for audio visual material (Winnipeg,
