1933–2010.
72 cm of textual records, photographs, microfilm, and a videotape.
Administrative history
For reasons of lack of suitable transportation to surrounding churches and growing numbers of Mennonite Brethren in the Swift Current area a group met on 23 November 1933 to discuss the feasibility of a new church and unanimously decided to start a new church. Twenty-six charter members officially founded the Swift Current Mennonite Brethren Church on 21 June 1934. The Depression prevented the construction of a church building until 1940. Until then the members met in private houses. The first building, which seated 100, was supplanted in 1959 by a 250 seat building on 15th Ave and Winnie St. In 1977 they dedicated a new 600 seat sanctuary and the name was changed to Bridgeway Community Church.
The three leaders elected in 1934 were Gerhard A. Warkentin (moderator), Isaac K. Epp (assistant), and Frank J. Peters (secretary and treasurer). While all three were also called to be lay ministers, Peters was the foremost of the three. He officiated the first baptism on 26 July 1936. Senior leaders and pastors of church have included Frank J. Peters (1934–1957), E.J. Lautermilch (the first salaried pastor – 1957–1962), David Nickel (1962–1966), Isaac Bergen (1967–1971), Peter Nikkel (1971–1982), Peter Klassen (1982–1991), Lorne Willms (1991–1998), Cory Anderson (1998), and Cliff Janzen (1999–2009), Bob Cappelle ( 2010- ).
Scope and content
This fonds consists of the following series: Historical notes, minutes, annual reports, correspondence, financial information, church programs, Christian education, church bulletins, guest books, membership records, and pictures.
The language of worship is English. The transition from German occured in the 1950's.
Custodial history
These records came to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies through Acc. #1999-057.
Notes
- Location: Volumes 629–633; 1341.
- Finding aid: The textual records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF528. Updated by Yvonne Snider-Nighswander November 2, 2011.
- Finding aid for microfilm: Bridgeway Community Church R45, pp. 1713–2202.
- Microfilm file list adapted from a previous finding aid by Leslie Wiebe June 2003.
Series description
Bridgeway Community Church historical notes.
1977–1984.
5.5 cm of textual records, 2 cm videotape.
This series consists of historical sketches and a VHS videotape from the Bridgeway Community Church 50th Anniversary celebration in 1984, as well as a historical sketch from the building dedication in 1977.
- Finding aid: Bridgeway Community Church fonds file list 1–3.
Bridgeway Community Church minutes.
1933–1993.
15 cm of textual records.
This series consists of minutes from the Board of Elders, the Board of Trustees, Congregational meetings, and church council notes. Congregational meeting minutes 1933–64 and 1965–79 (files 4–5) are also available on microfilm.
- Finding aid for microfilm: Bridgeway Community Church R45, pp. 1713–2124.
- Finding aid: Bridgeway Community Church fonds file list 4–14.
Bridgeway Community Church annual reports.
1979–1998.
4 cm of textual records.
This series consists of annual reports detailing church programs, ministries and committee activities.
- Finding aid: Bridgeway Community Church fonds file list 15–16.
Bridgeway Community Church correspondence.
1964–1966, 1992.
1 cm of textual records.
This series consists of correspondence to and from Bridgeway Community Church.
- Finding aid: Bridgeway Community Church fonds file list 17.
Bridgeway Community Church financial records.
1968–1985.
0.5 cm of textual records.
This series consists of a purchase order and brief analyses of personal donations.
- Finding aid: Bridgeway Community Church fonds file list 18.
Bridgeway Community Church programs.
1984–1988.
1 cm of textual records.
This series consists of information produced by intra-church groups and programs.
- Finding aid: Bridgeway Community Church fonds file list 19–22.
Bridgeway Community Church Christian education.
1980–1988, 1994.
5 cm of textual records.
This series consists of minutes from the Board of Christian Education as well as miscellaneous brochures, pamphlets, and mailings for Christian education programs.
- Finding aid: Bridgeway Community Church fonds file list 23–25.
Bridgeway Community Church bulletins.
1994–2010.
17 cm of textual records.
This series consists of Bridgeway Community Church bulletins.
- Finding aid: Bridgeway Community Church fonds file list 26–31.
Bridgeway Community Church guest books.
1961–1984.
11 cm of textual records.
This series consists of guest books from Bridgeway Community Church, including the 50th Anniversary guest book.
- Finding aid: Bridgeway Community Church fonds file list 32–36.
Bridgeway Community Church membership records.
1934–1994.
7 cm of textual records.
This series consists of membership records, including a comprehensive list of members 1934–84, pictorial directories, and copies of the Family Diary, and in-church publication. Family and Membership Register Book I is available on microfilm.
- Finding aid for microfilm: Bridgeway Community Church R45, pp. 2125–2202.
- Finding aid: Bridgeway Community Church fonds file list 37–40.
Bridgeway Community Church pictures.
198-.
11 cm of pictorial records.
This series consists of c.160 pictures, fewer negatives, and c.60 slides.
- Finding aid: Bridgeway Community Church fonds file list 41–42.
Textual file list
Volumes 629–633, 1341.
Series I: Historical notes
1. Historical sketch. – 1977.
2. Bridgeway 50th Anniversary VHS Videotape. – 1984.
3. Bridgeway 50th Anniversary Booklet. – 1984.
Series II: Minutes
4. Congregational Minutes. – 1933–1964.
5. Congregational Minutes. – 1965–1979.
6. Annual Business Meeting Minutes. – 1980–1991.
7. Annual Meeting Minutes. – 1992.
8. Sunday School Meeting Minutes. – 1963–1968.
9. Church Council Notes. – 1965–1970.
10. Sr. Ladies Aid Minutes. – 1965–1980.
11. Sr. Ladies Aid Minutes. – 1981–1991.
12. Board of Trustees Minutes. – 1963–1974.
13. Board of Elders Minutes. – 1992.
14. Board of Elders Minutes. – 1993.
Series III: Annual reports
15. Annual Reports. – 1979–1984.
16. Annual Reports. – 1985–1986, 1988–1989, 1996, 1998.
Series IV: Correspondence
17. Correspondence. – 1964–1966, 1992.
Series V: Financial records
18. Financial Records. – 1968–1985.
Series VI: Church programs
19. Bridgeway Ladies Bible Studies. – 1984.
20. Singles Outreach. – 1984.
21. Ladies Fellowship. – 1987–1988.
22. Joyful Noise. – 1988.
Series VII: Christian Education
23. Christian Education Minutes. – 1980–1984
24. Christian Education Minutes. – 1985–1988, 1994.
25. Christian Education Miscellaneous. – 1980–1986.
Series VIII: Church bulletins
26. Church Bulletins. – 1994.
27. Church Bulletins. – 1995.
28. Church Bulletins. – 1996.
29. Church Bulletins. – 1997.
30. Church Bulletins. – 1998.
31. Church Bulletins. – 1999.
Series IX: Guest books
32. Our Guests. – 1961–1977.
33. Guest book. – 1977.
34. Our Church Guests. – 1977–1979.
35 Guests of our Church. – 1979–1982.
Volume 632
36. Bridgeway 50th Anniversary Guest book. – 1984.
Series X: Membership records
37. Membership Records. – 1934–1999.
38. Membership Book. – 1979–.
39. Pictorial and Address Directories. – ca. 1981-2006.
40. Family Diary. – 1987–1993.
Series XI: Pictures
41. Pictures. – 198-.
42. Pictures and Slides. – 198-.
Volume 633
43. Bulletins. -- 2000.
44. Bulletins. -- 2001.
45. Bulletins. -- 2002.
46. Bulletins. -- 2003-2004.
47. Bulletins. -- 2005.
48. Bulletins. -- 2006.
49. Bulletins. -- 2007.
50. Bulletins. -- 2008.
Volume 1341
1. Bulletins. -- 2009.
2. Bulletins. -- 2010.
Microfilm file list
Reel 45
- Family and Membership Register (Book I). – ca.1933–1978. – p.2125–2202.
- Congregational Meeting Minutes. – Nov.1933–Dec.1964. – p.1713–1917.
- Congregational Meeting Minutes. – Jan.1965–June 1978. – p.1918–2124.
