Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches

Cornelius A. DeFehr (1881–1979)

1921–1979.
2 m of textual material, and 28 photographs.

Biographical sketch
Cornelius DeFehr was born in 1881 in Einlage, the Ukraine. His father Abram A. DeFehr, a craftsman, was born in Einlage, and his mother, Helena Peters, was born in Kronswiede. The family moved to Kronswiede where Cornelius DeFehr spent his childhood; later they moved to Petrowka where they owned a farm. The DeFehrs were devout members of the Mennonite Brethren Church. DeFehr married Elizabeth Dyck in 1903. In 1904, the couple moved to Millerowo in the Don district where, together with members of the extended Dyck family, they established a machinery factory. After the outbreak of World War I, the revolution, and the famine that followed, DeFehr was active in helping with relief for the needy.

When DeFehr left the USSR for Canada in 1925 at the age of 44, married, with three sons, a daughter and several grandchildren, he had already made his mark in enterprise and servanthood. Like so many entrepreneurs, the DeFehrs had lost everything in the Russian upheavals. And, like others, they made a fresh start in the country of their adoption. Teamwork in the family, hard work, foresight, and thrift, plus merchandising to meet real needs, led again to prosperity, though not without hard times, especially during the depression. In Canada, as in the Soviet Union, DeFehr freed himself from his business in order to serve, frequently and sacrificially, the interests of the wider Mennonite community.

Almost everywhere DeFehr lent a helping hand. During a lifetime of active involvement in a variety of Mennonite Brethren and wider Mennonite church endeavors, he gave generously both in advice, friendship, and funds to such programs as Bible College education, foreign missions, and publishing. He was a key figure in the development of several schools: the Mennonite Collegiate Institute, the Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute, and the Mennonite Brethren Bible College; he was also treasurer of the Canadian Mennonite Brethren Conference for many years. He served with distinction in the Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization. He was a member of the Canadian Mennonite Publishing Association Incorporated. His greatest love was the inter-Mennonite program in immigration, relief and resettlement, for which he served as treasurer and which led to special assignments in Paraguay in the post-World War II movement of refugees. Later, he helped facilitate the restructuring and relocation of the relief organization, leading directly to the founding of Mennnonite Central Committee (Canada) in 1963. He was named an honorary life member of two Canadian Conference committees because of his long involvement and significant contributions.

In 1963, he wrote an autobiography entitled "Lebenserinnerungen aus meinen Leben." C.A. DeFehr died on February 11, 1979. His wife Elizabeth predeceased him in 1972.

Scope and content
The Cornelius A. DeFehr fonds is rich in information about Mennonite resettlement in South America after World War II. In his capacity as a member of the Board of Colonization and the Western Relief Committee, DeFehr created and received letters, or copies of letters, regarding relief work for Mennonite emigrants from Russia. A large part of his correspondence also relates to educational institutions such as the Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna and the Mennonite Brethren Bible College. As an honorory member of Canadian Mennonite Brethren Conference committees, DeFehr collected reports of these committees and also of the Manitoba Provincial and General Conferences. Also part of this fonds, now located in the CMBS map collection, are maps of the Mennonite Colonies in Paraguay [ca 1940]. Blueprints of the MBBC library building and chapel (1955) and blueprints of a generator for Paraguay (in Russian by Winnipeg engineer) were also included in the DeFehr collection, now in CMBS blueprint collection.

Custodial history
The C.A. DeFehr collection came to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies sometime before 1979. In June 1979, William Schroeder consolidated the materials from three separate filing cabinets and two paper cartons and placed them into three numbered filing cabinet drawers and a box. Schroeder wrote that the files had evidently been deposited in the archives at various times, and the contents of various batches had been filed according to widely varying schemes and classifications which he did not alter substantially. He placed some of the folders at the end of the B.B. Janz file, since they contained correspondence not created by DeFehr and were to or by B.B. Janz. Schroeder’s opinion is that there are still gaps in the DeFehr collection.

Additional C.A. DeFehr original papers were donated to the archives by A.C. DeFehr in 1988. In 1991, A.C. DeFehr donated printed materials, and maps, including blueprints of the MBBC library building and chapel (1955) and the Christian Press Building (1950) as well as correspondence. In 1992, A.C. DeFehr donated three oversize photographs. A picture of the 1930 MB Conference held at Hepburn, Saskatchewan, a picture of 1954 MB Conference at Virgil Ontario, and a picture of a Paraguayan reunion in Ontario in 1960.

Notes

Volumes 923–925, 927–929.

Title based on contents of fonds.

Accession numbers are 1988–44, 1991–37, 1991–38, 1992–38.

Finding aid for maps: NMC-4S-20, NMC-4S-21, and NMC-4S-22.

Series description

Cornelius A. DeFehr correspondence. 1950–1953.
30 cm of textual material.

This series contains letters regarding relief to Mennonite immigrants in South America, filed chronologically. Correspondence is with members of the Canadian Western Relief Committee.
Title based on contents of series.
Finding aid: C.A. DeFehr list 1–45.

Cornelius A. DeFehr correspondence. – 1937–1979.
65 cm of textual material.

This series contains correspondence, filed by name. The files under DeFehr’s name consist of letters created by him or received by him. The files under the names of various Mennonite Brethren leaders are mostly not by or to DeFehr; he probably received copies of them. Many of these letters have to do with relief boards or Mennonite Central Committee. This series also contains some autobiographical material and correspondence regarding the Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna.

Title based on contents of series.
Finding aid: C.A. DeFehr list 46–122.

Cornelius A. DeFehr correspondence regarding mission stations in South America. – 1921–1969.
20 cm of textual material.

These letters and reports are generally not related to the Board of Missions and Services but to the Board of Welfare and inter-Mennonite organizations. The letters have to do with individual churches and colonies in South America. Some of DeFehr’s correspondence with leaders of churches in South America is quite personal; he shows a keen interest in their lives. This series is organized by names of South American colonies.

Title based on contents of series.
Finding aid: C.A. DeFehr list 123–141.

Cornelius A. DeFehr Mennonite Brethren Bible College records. – 1955–1973.
20 cm. of textual materials, 9 photographs.

This series consists of minutes of committees such as the Building Committee, the Board of Higher Education, and the Mennonite Brethren Bible College Executive Board as well as correspondence regarding the College. College catalogues and a faculty handbook written in the 1970s are also included. This series is organized chronologically. The photographs are of college boards and special events.

Title based on contents of series.
Finding aid: C.A. DeFehr list 142–156.
Finding aid for photographs: NP 111–1.

Cornelius A. DeFehr Mennonite Brethren conference records. – 1962–1971.
25 cm of textual material.

This series includes minutes and reports of the Canadian Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Church, the Manitoba Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, and the General Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Church. Included also are some Board of Higher Education, Council of Boards, and Board of Management minutes and reports. This series is organized chronologically.

Title based on contents of series.
Finding aid: C.A. DeFehr list 157–170.

Cornelius A. DeFehr miscellaneous records. – 1957–1976.
17 cm of textual material.

This series contains reports and correspondence with such organizations as Christian Press, Gospel Light, and Bethesda Home for the Mentally Ill. Of special interest is correspondence with Frank H. Epp regarding the publication of Mennonite Exodus in 1962. There are also files on the Mennonite World Conferences in 1962 and 1967 and DeFehr’s world tour in connection with foreign missions. This series is organized by names of organizations.

Title based on contents of the series.
Finding aid: C.A. DeFehr list 171–186.

Cornelius A. DeFehr South American correspondence. – 1943–1977
17 cm textual material, 15 photographs.

This series, donated in 1991, was processed later and consists predominantly of correspondence about South America created in the 1950s to 1970s. An exception is one file of correspondence between C.A. DeFehr and J.B. Toews. The series consists both of official and personal correspondence. Some minutes and reports are included. The photographs are of the leper colony in Friesland and schools in Paraguay.

Title based on contents of the series.
Finding aid: C.A. DeFehr list 187–210.
Finding aid for photographs: NP111–1.

File list

Volumes 923–925, 927–929
Series I: Cornelius A. DeFehr correspondence regarding relief for South America.

1. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – January, 1950.
2. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – February, 1950.
3. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – March, 1950.
4. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – April, 1950.
5. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – May, 1950.
6. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – June, 1950.
7. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – July, 1950.
8. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – August, 1950.
9. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – September, 1950.
10. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – October, 1950.
11. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – November, 1950.
12. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – December, 1950.
13. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – January, 1951.
14. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – February, 1951.
15. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – March, 1951.
16. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – April, 1951.
17. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – May, 1951.
18. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – June, 1951.
19. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – July, 1951.
20. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – August, 1951.
21. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – September, 1951.
22. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – October, 1951.
23. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – November, 1951.
24. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – December, 1951.
25. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – January, 1952.
26. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – February, 1952.
27. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – March, 1952.
28. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – April, 1952.
29. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – May, 1952.
30. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – June, 1952.
31. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – July, 1952.
32. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – August to October, 1952.
33. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – November, 1952.
34. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – December, 1952.
35. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – January, 1953.
36. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – March, 1953.
37. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – April, 1953.
38. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – May, 1953.
39. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – June, 1953.
40. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – July, 1953.
41. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – August, 1953.
42. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – September, 1953.
43. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – October, 1953.
44. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – November, 1953.
45. Relief for Mennonite immigrants to South America correspondence. – December, 1953.

Series II: Cornelius A. DeFehr correspondence with Mennonite Brethren leaders and organizations.

46. Correspondence received or sent by DeFehr. – 1944–1955.
47. Correspondence received by DeFehr with MCC personnel, mainly the Peter Klassen family, a family from Paraguay studying in Switzerland. – 1953–1955.
48. Correspondence sent by C.A. DeFehr. – 1956.
49. Miscellaneous correspondence. – 1946.
50. Letter to H.S. Voth. – 1946.
51. Correspondence sent by C.A. DeFehr. – 1957–1958.
52. Correspondence sent by C.A. DeFehr. – 1959–1965.
53. Correspondence regarding the Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna. – 1937–1950, predominantly 1944.
54. Correspondence regarding the Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna. – 1945–1952.
55. List of people who received letters from Mrs. C.A. DeFehr. – 1949–1951.
56. B.B. Janz correspondence. – 1951–1958.
57. John W. Warkentin correspondence. – 1950.
58. J.J. Thiessen correspondence. – 1950–1965.
59. Report of Mennonite Aid, Chicago. – 1948.
60. Bernard Wall correspondence. – 1953.
61. G.D. Pries correspondence. – 1944–1954.
62. Gerhard Janz correspondence. – 1956.
63. Cornelius C. Peters correspondence. – 1950–1954.
64. Cornelius C. Peters correspondence. – 1955–1956.
65. Cornelius C. Peters correspondence. – 1957.
66. Cornelius C. Peters correspondence. – 1958–1965.
67. Arthur A. Voth correspondence. – 1956.
68. Marvin A. Kroeker correspondence regarding Board of General Welfare and Public Relations. – 1951–1956.
69. Marvin A. Kroeker correspondence. – 1957.
70. Marvin A. Kroeker correspondence. – 1958.
71. Marvin A. Kroeker correspondence. – 1959–1962.
72. Marvin A. Kroeker correspondence. – 1963–1965.
73. Cornelius F. Klassen correspondence. – 1949–1952.
74. Cornelius F. Klassen correspondence. – 1950.
75. Gerhard Balzer correspondence. – 1953–1957.
76. H.K. Klassen correspondence. – 1957–1958.
77. Wilhelm Schroeder correspondence. – 1955–1959.
78. George W. Peters correspondence. – 1959–1960.
79. G.J. Derksen correspondence regarding the Provincial Mennonite Relief Committee in British Columbia. – 1945–1961.
80. H.P. Loewen correspondence. – 1960–1961.
81. John Wall correspondence. – 1957–1961.
82. A.A. Wiens correspondence regarding the Mennonite Relief and Immigration Committee, British Columbia. – 1945–1962.
83. William T. Snyder correspondence regarding Mennonite Central Committee. – 1948–1961.
84. Peter Isaac correspondence. – 1961.
85. Henry H. Janzen correspondence. – 1953–1971.
86. Abraham Dueck correspondence. – 1962.
87. H.B. Friesen correspondence. – 1960–1962.
88. P.C. Hiebert correspondence regarding the Board of Welfare and Public Relations. – 1949–1958.
89. Marion W. Kliewer correspondence regarding the Board of General Welfare and Public Relations. – 1956–1962.
90. Frank C. Peters correspondence. – 1951–1962.
91. Frank C. Peters correspondence. – 1959–1964.
92. J.H. Unruh correspondence. – 1953–1962.
93. A.J. Klassen correspondence. – 1963.
94. Hans Kasdorf correspondence. – 1956–1963.
95. H. Werner Janzen correspondence. – 1956, 1962–1963.
96. Gerhard Fast correspondence. – 1957–1963.
97. Clarence Labun correspondence. – 1961–1963.
98. Henry W. Dueck correspondence. – 1956, 1959–1964.
99. Waldo D. Hiebert correspondence. – 1957–1964.
100. Frank Wiens correspondence. – 1950–1964.
101. Henry C. Born correspondence. – 1954–1964.
102. David B. Wiens correspondence. – 1957–1968.
103. Cornelius J. Rempel correspondence. – 1955–1964.
104. Jacob P. Neufeld correspondence. – 1961–1964.
105. Henry P. Neufeld correspondence. – 1963–1964.
106. Dwight Wiebe correspondence. – 1962–1964.
107. Hans Wiens correspondence. – 1962–1964.
108. K.D. Klassen correspondence. – 1962–1964.
109. Gerhard H. Sukkau correspondence. – 1952–1956.
110. Gerhard H. Sukkau correspondence. – 1957–1965.
111. Peter Wiens correspondence. – 1964.
112. Esther Krueger correspondence. – 1961–1962.
113. Willy Janz correspondence. – 1958–1964.
114. David J. Klassen correspondence. – 1962–1964.
115. J.H. Franz correspondence. – 1961–1964.
116. Clarence Hiebert correspondence. – 1958–1964.
117. "Erinnerungen aus meinen Leben." A copy of DeFehr’s autobiography in the Mennonitische Rundschau May 1875 to March 1976.
118. "Lebenserinnerungen aus meinen Leben." DeFehr’s autobiography written in 1963 and typed in the German language.
119. Collected biographical material about C.A. DeFehr taken from articles in periodicals. Includes his obituary. – 1972–1979.
120. Reports on Mennonite refugees in Paraguay, report on court case of Mennonite conscientious objectors in Russia, report of a trip to South America. – 1947–1952.
121. Correspondence regarding mission work in Argentina. – 1953–1955.
122. Personal correspondence received or sent by C.A. DeFehr. – 1947–1966.

Series III: Cornelius A. DeFehr correspondence regarding mission stations in South America.

123. Correspondence and minutes of mission work in Uruguay. Mission station: Brabancia. – 1952–1953.
124. Correspondence and minutes of mission work in Uruguay. Mission station: Casa Courado. – 1955–1957.
125. Correspondence and minutes of mission work in Uruguay. Mission station: El Ombu. – 1949–1963.
126. Correspondence and minutes of mission work in Uruguay. Mission station: Gartental. – 1952–1963.
127. Correspondence and minutes of mission work in Uruguay. Mission station: Montevideo and general. – 1951–1967.
128. Correspondence and minutes of mission work in Uruguay. Mission station: Sarandi. – 1963–1966.
129. Correspondence of mission work in Paraguay. – 1947–1963.
130. Reports of mission work in Paraguay. – 1921–1962.
131. Undated material on mission work in Paraguay. Some charts and maps.
132. Correspondence and minutes of mission work in Asuncion, Paraguay. – 1948–1964.
133. Correspondence and minutes of mission work in Fernheim, Paraguay. – 1949–1964.
134. Correspondence and minutes of mission work in Friesland, Paraguay. – 1948–1964.
135. Correspondence and minutes of mission work in Neuland, Paraguay. – 1948–1964.
136. Correspondence and minutes of mission work in Philadelphia, Paraguay. – 1948–1964.
137. Correspondence and minutes of mission work in Volendam, Paraguay. – 1948–1963.
138. Clippings, reports, and correspondence regarding relief in Russia. – 1930–1964.
139. Correspondence of the Board of General Welfare with persons in South America. – 1950–1968.
140. Information regarding flight from Russia and the Vollendam. Includes some pictures. – 1947.
141. Reports and correspondence of the Bage Bible School, Brazil. – 1960–1962.

Series IV: Cornelius A. DeFehr Mennonite Brethren Bible College records.

142. Canadian Mennonite Bible College yearbook. – 1955.
143. Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Mennonite Brethren Bible College. – 1965.
144. Mennonite Brethren Bible College building plans. – 1965–1969.
145. Mennonite Brethren Bible College catalogues. – [194-] to 1971.
146. Minutes of the Mennonite Brethren Bible College Executive and Administrative Committees. – 1964–1965.
147. Minutes of Mennonite Brethren Bible College committees. – 1966–1967.
148. Minutes and correspondence regarding Mennonite Brethren Bible College. – 1968.
149. Minutes and correspondence regarding Mennonite Brethren Bible College. – 1969.
150. Minutes and correspondence regarding Mennonite Brethren Bible College. – 1970.
151. Minutes and correspondence regarding Mennonite Brethren Bible College. – January to July 1971.
152. Minutes and correspondence regarding Mennonite Brethren Bible College. – July to December 1971.
153. Mennonite Brethren Bible College faculty handbook. – [197-].
154. Minutes and correspondence regarding Mennonite Brethren Bible College. – January to April 1972.
155. Minutes and correspondence regarding Mennonite Brethren Bible College. – May to December 1972.
156. Minutes and correspondence regarding Mennonite Brethren Bible College. – 1973.

Series V: Cornelius A. DeFehr Mennonite Brethren conference records.

157. Minutes and reports of the Canadian Mennonite Brethren Conference held in Clearbrook, British Columbia. – 1962.
158. Minutes and reports of the Canadian Mennonite Brethren Conference held in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario. – 1966.
159. Minutes and reports of the Canadian Mennonite Brethren Conference held in Clearbrook, British Columbia. – 1968. Correspondence regarding the Canadian Conference. – 1968–1969.
160. Papers and reports regarding the Board of Higher Education. – 1968–1969.
161. Papers and reports regarding the Manitoba Mennonite Brethren Provincial Conference. – 1969.
162. Reports of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches held in Vancouver, British Columbia. – 1969.
163. Reports of the Canadian Mennonite Brethren Conference held in Winnipeg, Manitoba. – 1969.
164. Minutes of Council of Boards, Canadian Mennonite Brethren Conference. – 1970.
165. Reports of the Provincial Mennonite Brethren Conference of Manitoba. – 1971.
166. Reports of Canadian Conference Boards. – 1969.
167. Manitoba Mennonite Brethren Treasurer’s Correspondence. – 1956–1961.
168. Reports, budgets, and correspondence of the Manitoba Conference. – 1963–1968.
169. Treasurer J.J. Riediger’s report to Board of Management, General Conference. – 1971.
170. Reports of the Provincial Mennonite Brethren Conference of Manitoba. – 1971.

Series VI: Cornelius A. DeFehr miscellaneous records.

171. Christian Press reports and correspondence. – 1964–1966.
172. Christian Press reports and correspondence. – 1967.
173. Christian Press reports and correspondence. – 1968.
174. Christian Press reports and correspondence. – 1969.
175. Christian Press reports and correspondence. – 1969–1973.
176. Correspondence regarding Bibles for Russia. – 1945–1969.
177. Copies of correspondence with the Bethesda Home for the Mentally Ill. – 1960–1961.
178. Collection of Gospel Light papers. – 1958–1971.
179. Correspondence of Canadian Mennonite Relief and Immigration Council. Information about Frank H. Epp’s publication, Mennonite Exodus. – 1962–1964.
180. Correspondence and reports of the Canadian Mennonite Publishing Association Incorporated. – 1964–1970.
181. Correspondence with the Board of Missions. – 1965–1967.
182. World Conferences. – 1962, 1967.
183. World tour for Foreign Missions. – 1957–1958.
184. Delegates to Russia. – 1959–1964.
185. Planned trip to Africa. – 1959.
186. Personal correspondence with J.J. Thiessen and relatives. – 1970–1976.

Series VII: Cornelius A. DeFehr South American correspondence.

187. "Erinnerungen an die Flucht der Mennoniten aus Russland und ihre Ansiedlung in Suedamerika" by C.A. DeFehr. – 1972.
188. Gas Generator for Paraguay Proposal. – 1951.
189. Mennonites in Paraguay statistics. – 1947–1960.
190. Correspondence about oil press in Paraguay. – 1943.
191. Correspondence with Fernheim, Paraguay. – 1959–1973.
192. Correspondence with Neuland, Paraguay. – 1965–1973.
193. Correspondence with Leper Mission in Friesland. Four photographs, now in CMBS photograph collection. – 1956–1966.
194. Correspondence with Volendam, Paraguay. Includes article: "Abfahrt des dritten Emigrantenschiffes `Charlton Monarch’ nach Suedamerika" by Heinz Wiebe. – 1971–1973.
195. Correspondence with Paraguay. Includes J.M. Klassen’s diary of a trip to South America in 1965. – 1965–1971.
196. Paraguay – Private. Regarding financial matters in South America. – 1975–1977.
197. Correspondence about Paraguay. – 1948, 1973–1976.
198. Correspondence about Uruguay. – 1962–1972.
199. Correspondence with people in Brazil. – 1958–1960.
200. Correspondence with Hans Wiens, Asuncion. Fifteen photographs now in CMBS photograph collection. – 1968–1974.
201. Personal correspondence with people in Paraguay and India. – 1958. Includes a report of DeFehr’s visit to Paraguay in 1958.
202. Personal correspondence with South America. – 1955–1956.
203. Personal correspondence with B.B. Janz and others about Paraguay. – 1957, 1973, 1977.
204. Correspondence about Orie O. Miller’s 75th birthday and other correspondence. – 1959, 1968–1973.
205. Correspondence with Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite Central Relief Committee of Canada regarding relief for Mennonites in South America. (B.B. Janz, J.J. Thiessen, C.J. Rempel and others). – 1958–1959.
206. Correspondence and reports about the work of Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite Central Relief Committee in South America. Lists of donors, financial reports. – 1948–1953.
207. Correspondence and reports about Canadian Mennoite Relief and Immigration Council. – 1959, predominantly 1964.
208. Correspondence and minutes regarding Canadian Mennonite Relief and Immigration Council. – 1964–1973.
209. Personal correspondence. – 1959.
210. Correspondence with J.B. Toews, personal and conference related. – 1956–1972.

NP111 C.A. DeFehr Photograph Collection

NP111–1 – 1 In the office of MBBC President Quiring. – 1961. – 10 x 7 cm.This photo shows MBBC president J.H. Quiring writing at his desk with four men standing behind him. l-r: H. Regehr, B.B. Fast, C.A. DeFehr and J.A. Toews.

NP111–1 – 2 MBBC Board. – [ca. 1963]. – 12 x 9 cm.This picture shows the MB Bible College board sitting at a table in the chapel posing for the camera: Back row: (l-r): ? , Alex Neumann, Rudy Bartel, David Neumann, ?, Front row: Henry Regehr?, J.A. Quiring (President), C.A. DeFehr, Henry W. Redekopp (chairman), William Neufeld and J. Block.

NP111–1 – 3 College Board. – 1962. – 9 x 9 cm.Board members around the table are: B.B. Fast, Henry Regehr, J.H. Quiring, J.A. Toews, C.A. DeFehr, Ed Lautermilch, Alex Neumann, David Neumann, Jacob H. Epp, Henry Voth, P.R. Toews and William Neufeld.

NP111–1 – 4 College Board. – 1948. – 15 x 9.5 cm.Formal picture of College Board. Board members are: Front Row: J.M. Neufeld, A.H. Unruh, J.P. Braun, H.P. Toews, J.B. Toews. Back Row: Heinrich Thielman, B.B. Fast, Jakob Epp, H.H.Janzen, A.G. Martens.

NP111–1 – 5 MBBC Ministers’ Course. – [before 1955]. – 17.5 X 12 cm.Group picture. Identified are: Henry Kornelson, John A, Toews, Jacob H. Quiring, Cornelius Wall, Henry H. Janzen, Abraham H. Unruh, H.P. Toews, Arnold Fisher, David K. Duerksen, Sam Ratzlaff, Gerhard Epp, P.J. Doerksen, David Dick, Frank Friesen and Peter Dyck.

NP111–1 – 6 MBBC Campus. – [after 1955]. – 17 x 12 cm.This picture shows the exterior of the Library Building taken from the corner of Riverton & Henderson.

NP111–1 – 7 H.H. Janzen preaching. – [ca. 1955]. – 8 x 8 cm.This picture shows Rev. Heinrich H. Janzen preaching behind the MBBC pulpit.

NP111–1 – 8 MBBC sod turning ceremony. – [ca. 1964]. – 25 x 20 cm.Sod turning ceremony for Riverton Hall with faculty, board members and building committee in background. See 1965 MBBC yearbook. Included in picture are Henry H. Voth, John A. Toews, J.J. Toews, J.H. Quiring, Peter Klassen.

NP111–1 – 9 MBBC & CMBC joint Christmas Oratorio performance. – 1965. – 25 x 20 cm.George Wiebe conducting the Oratorio choir at Winnipeg Civic Auditorium performing Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with soloists David Falk, Viola Falk, Ingrid Sawatzky and Victor Martens.

NP111–1–10 Photograph of a patient at a leper colony in Friesland. In DeFehr personal collection, see file 193, letter from Arndt Funk, 16 September 1961.

NP111–1–11 Photograph of a patient with a foot infected by leprosy. See file 193, letter from Arndt Funk, 16 September 1961.

NP111–1–12 Photograph of a house built for lepers and their caregivers. See file 193, letter from Arndt Funk, 16 September 1961.

NP111–1–13 Photograph of the home of a fatherless family. See file 193, letter from Arndt Funk, 16 September 1961.

NP111–1–14 Photograph of the Asuncion National University, four blocks from the Mennonite Bible School. See file 200, letter from Hans Wiens to DeFehr, 22 June 1970.

NP111–1–15 Photograph of the Asuncion National University, seen from the yard. See file 200, letter from Hans Wiens to DeFehr, 22 June 1970.

NP111–1–16 Photograph of Asuncion high-rises one block from the Mennonite Bible School. See file 200, letter from Hans Wiens to DeFehr, 22 June 1970.

NP111–1–17 Side view of Asuncion high-rises. See file 200, letter from Hans Wiens to DeFehr, 22 June 1970.

NP111–1–18 Our school, a factory, that is to be remodeled. See file 200, letter from Hans Wiens to DeFehr, 22 June 1970.

NP111–1–19 Our school, seen from the yard. A second story is to be added. See file 200, letter from Hans Wiens to DeFehr, 22 June 1970.

NP111–1–20 An assembly of students of the Asuncion Bible School. – 1970. See file 200, letter from Hans Wiens to DeFehr, 22 July 1970.

NP111–1–21 The secretary in her small office. There is no room for a printing press. See file 200, letter from Hans Wiens to DeFehr, 22 July 1970.

NP111–1–22 The youngest class at the national school in Asuncion. See file 200, letter from Hans Wiens to DeFehr, 22 July 1970.

NP111–1–23 A celebrative event at the Asuncion Bible School. See file 200, letter from Hans Wiens to DeFehr, 22 July 1970.

NP111–1–24 An evening chapel at the Asuncion Bible School. See file 200, letter from Hans Wiens to DeFehr, 22 July 1979.