1947–1995.
33 cm of textual records.
Administrative history
Proposals for a school that would provide Biblical and theological training to young people were presented at the 1941 Conference of Mennonites in Canada. A committee was formed, chaired by N.W. Bahnman. The original plans were to add a single teacher to the Rosthern Bible school, in Saskatchewan, however a teacher could not be found. In 1945 Jacob J. Thiessen was elected as chairman of a committee and began preparations for a school open only to high school graduates. In 1947 the Canadian Mennonite Bible College (CMBC) was opened in the basement of the Bethel Mennonite Mission Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The school grew rapidly and exceeded the capacity of the church within a few years. In 1949 the school purchased a large private house at Wellington Crescent. Classes were conducted in this house until 1955, except for a brief period during the 1950 flood when the school relocated to Altona, Manitoba. In 1955 CMBC moved to 600 Shaftesbury Boulevard, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
In 1956 plans for a new residence were announced and construction was completed in 1959. In 1963 a new dining hall was built. An agreement was reached with the University of Manitoba in 1963 allowing students to receive five courses of credit towards a B.A. degree. A self-study was conducted during the school year 1968–1969 in which faculty evaluated the entire CMBC program. CMBC experienced steady growth and continually reached new records of enrollment. In 1972 discussions began on facility expansion as well as beginning a relationship with Mennonite Brethren Bible College (MBBC), also located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
CMBC’s primary goal was to provide training for church leaders. In 1999 Concord College (formerly MBBC), Menno Simmons College, and CMBC joined their institutions to become Canadian Mennonite University (CMU), located at 600 Shaftsbury Boulevard in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Arnold Regier was the first president of CMBC. He was followed by Isaac I. Friesen, Henry Poettcker, George K. Epp, Helmut Harder, John Neufeld, and Gerald Gerbrandt.
Scope and content
The material in this collection consists of yearbooks, course catalogues, academic calendars, and brochures showing faculty members, students, courses offered, and campus life. There are also a few directories, and a 25th anniversary book that gives an outline of the school’s history.
Custodial history
The custodial history of this fonds is unclear.
Notes
- Finding aid consists of a file list.
- No restrictions on access.
- Described by Leslie Wiebe, June 14, 2002.
- Location: Institutional Records – Canadian Mennonite Bible College.
Textual file list
- 1. Brochures. – 1953, 1955, 1959, 1966, 1978–1989.
- 2. Directories. – 1975–1976, 1985–1986.
- 3. A Basic Educational Philosophy. Waldemar Janzen, 1966.
- 4. CMBC 25th Anniversary book.
- 5–42. Catalogues. – 1947–1985.
- 43–45. Calendars. – 1985–1991.
- 46. Calendars. – 1996–1998.
- CMBC Yearbooks. – 1950, 1953, 1955–1961, 1963–1971, 1973–1975, 1994–1995.
