Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches

Helen Loewen Warkentin (1887–1975)

1883-1989, predominantly 1920–1975.
45 cm textual and printed material, artifacts, and 233 photographs.

Biographical sketch

Helen Loewen Warkentin was born November 25, 1887 at Hoffnungsfeld (near Winkler, Manitoba), to Rev. John Warkentin and Sarah Loewen Warkentin. She was a sister to Susanna Warkentin, who later married Rev. H.S. Voth. She was converted at the age of fifteen and was baptized and accepted into the Winkler Mennonite Brethren Church on July 17, 1904. Warkentin attended the Normal School at Morden and then taught school in various Manitoba public schools. She spent one year at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.

In 1919, she was ordained as a missionary by Rev. David Dyck. In 1920, she went to Deverakonda, India, where she was a teacher and the principal at a boarding school, as well as dietitian, and superviser of gardening, well digging, and carpentry. She spent four terms in India. In 1957, Miss Warkentin finished her last term and went home to Winkler, where she lived with her youngest sister Tien. Helen L. Warkentin died June 25, 1975, at the age of 87.

Scope and content

The Helen Loewen Warkentin fonds consists of many letters relating to Warkentin’s mission work in India. Her papers are in the Telegu, German, and English languages, with some in the Gothic script. The photographs are of mission work in India. This fonds is a rich resource for a study of single women as missionaries.

Custodial history

Some of Warkentin’s original papers and her diary were donated in 1986 by Bernard and Sara Klippenstein. In 1987, Esther Enns (niece), Winkler, donated photographs and personal papers. Julianna Enns of Winnipeg donated books, personal papers, scrapbooks, and a photo album in 1995.

Notes

Volumes 1112–1114.
Title based on contents of the fonds.
Accession numbers are 1986–52, 1986–53, 1987–5, 1995–43.
Finding aid for photographs: NP18–1, NP18–2.

File list

Volumes 1112–1114

Index and obituaries. – 1975.
- “But This the Best of All,” a narrative by Ida H. Toews, based on Helen L. Warkentin’s diary and letters. – 1989.
Letters to Warkentin from passport officers. – May 9, 1919, December 17, 1919.
- Six letters from Warkentin to her family, written while en route to India. – June 3-July 25, 1920.
- Welcome address from the Deverakonda church to Warkentin. – 1920.
- Letter from H.W. Lohrenz, on behalf of the Board of Foreign Missions, to Warkentin. – 1926.
- Letters from Warkentin to her family. – 1921.
- Letters from India to Warkentin during her furlough. – 1927.
- Letters between friends and family in North America and Warkentin (including some financial arrangements). – 1929–1932, 1937.
- Letters from H.W. Lohrenz, on behalf of the Board of Foreign Missions, to Warkentin. – 1938.
- Letter from Anna Hanneman (India) to Helen’s sister Tiena. – 1939.
- Letters from H.W. Lohrenz, on behalf of the Board of Foreign Missions, to Warkentin. – 1939, 1940.
- Letters and airgraphs from Warkentin to her family. – 1939–1947.
- Letters from A.E. Janzen, on behalf of the Board of Foreign Missions, to Warkentin regarding furlough and financial arrangements. – 1948–1949.
- Letters from Warkentin’s friends fellow missionaries to her sister Tien. – 1950.
- Letters from Warkentin to her family. – 1950.
Letters from Warkentin to her family. – 1951–1957.
- Letter to Warkentin from High Commissioner for Canada in New Delhi, India concerning passport renewal. – 1954.
- Letters from A.E. Janzen, on behalf of the Board of Foreign Missions, to Warkentin. – 1957, 1958.
- Farewell address to Warkentin from the people at the boarding school. – 1957.
- Letter and questionaire from Esther Horch to prepare for an interview with Warkentin on CFAM, with Warkentin’s answers to the questionnaire. – 1958.
- Letters from friends in India to Warkentin while she was in North America. – 1958, 1965, 1966.
- Letters from fellow missionaries in India to Warkentin. – 1968, 1971, 1974.
Letters from Indian friends, twenty-two are written in English, eight are written in an Indian language, three are a combination. – 1937, 1959–1966.
- Letter from Anne Ediger, missionary in India. – 1971.
Passport. – 1949.
- “Sign Board Evangelism” paper, printed in India. – Undated.
- Christmas card from “Sign Board Evangelism.” – 1960.
- Letter from MB Field Association with regards to dedication of the Gonakole MB Church. – 1976.
- Architect’s drawings and appeal for funds, for Hermon MB Church, at Sivannaguda, village Deverakonda. – Undated.
- Prayer bulletins of MB radio office and Plain Truth Bible Correspondence School in India. – 1968.
- Invitations to weddings in India. – 1932, 1934.
- “Sign Board Evangelism” reprint from magazine. – 1960.
- Christmas cards. – 1960.
- Poster advertising an Indian artist. – Undated.
- Poetry book by Margaret P. Anderson. – Undated.
- Seat check and gate pass for Pan American World Airways. – Undated.
- Postcard of ship. – Undated.
- M.R.C Board for the Examination of Missionaries report of Warkentin. – 1923.
- Memorandum about the Suggestive Unified School Program for schools of the MB Church of India. – 1958.
- Missionary credential from Board of Foreign Missions for Warkentin. (2 copies). – 1949.
- Farewell verses written for Warkentin by an Indian. – 1927.
- Notes: Addresses and expenses. – 1927, 1937.
- A menu from the Oriental S.S. Co. – 1920.
- International Certificate of Vaccinations issued by the Government of India. – Undated.
- Receipt for transit visa in Calcutta. – 1957.
- Indian income tax exemption . – 1957.
- Various notes. – 1912, 1948, undated.
- Notes by Johann Warkentin. – Undated.
- Menus from the Donaldson Atlantic Line and Anchor Line. – 1937.
- Homeletics notes. – Undated.
- Harmony of the Gospels notes. – 1929.
- Notes for presentations in Winkler and Carman. – After 1957.
- Newspaper clipping about Mission Festival at Winkler. – Undated.
- Notice about opening of Leena Orphanage in India. – 1975.
- Poem. – Undated.
- Constitution of the Governing Counsel of the Conference of the MB Church of India. – 1957.
- Program of Warkentin’s 84th birthday celebration in India. – 1972.
- Poem. – Undated.
- Welcome poem. – Undated.
- Travel document. – 1938.
- Wedding invitation. – 1969.
- Ship passage contract. – 1938.
- Passage contract. – 1938.
- Letter from H.W. Lohrenz on behalf of the Board of Foreign Missions. – 1938.
- Ship passenger list. – 1920.
- Missionary poem. – Undated.
- Farewell address to M.C. Wall. – Undated.
- Canadian citizenship papers of John Warkentin. – 1883.
Mission album of the Mennonite Brethren of North America by N.N. Hiebert. – 1914.
- Foreign Mission Booklet by Henry W. Lohrenz. – 1946.
- Story of Paulina Foote’s escape from imprisonment in China. – After 1941.
- Three clippings from the Mennonitische Rundschau. – 1959, 1962, 1967.
- Two clippings from the Christian Leader. – 1958.
- Four clippings from the Mennonite Observer. – 1958, 1959, 1960.
- Clipping of the A.J. Esau family and the Henry Derksen family. – Undated.
- Christmas card from Warkentin’s brother John. – 1912.
- Japanese book of pictures. – Undated.
- Two Indian hymn books. – 1951, undated.
- John Warkentin’s German New Testament. – 1910.
- Artifacts: Indian bracelet, handkerchief, brooch.
A presentation on the blessings of discipleship in the Gothic script. – Undated.
- Lecture on the Crusades in the Gothic script. – Undated.
- A presentation on the worth of the Bible for children, in the Gothic script. – Undated.
- A presentation on the first New Testament Pentecost in the Gothic script. – Undated.
- A presentation on the beginnings and continuation of the Mission of our people on the island of Java and Sumatra in the Gothic script. – Undated.
- A lecture on Ignatius in the Gothic script. – Undated.
- A presentation on the wonderful reward after faithful pilgrimage in the Gothic script. – Before 1920.
- A presentation on the first female missionary in the Gothic script. – Undated.
- Biblical time line. – 1919.
- Poem in an Indian language by G.D. Rao. Benjamin. – 1946.
- Poem in an Indian language by K.R. Ernest. – 1946.
- Letter from Anne Ediger. – 1957.
- Two letters in an Indian language. – 1957.
- Two copies of a presentation in the Indian language. – 1957.
- Letter from M.C. Samuel. – 1959.
- Letter from G. Daniel David. – 1968.
- Letter in an Indian language. – 1968.
- Letter from G. David. – 1972.
- Letter about the Diamond Jubilee (75 years) Celebration of Indian Mission – 1974.
- Letter. – 1975.
- Letter from India. – 1975.
- Letter from M.C. Emmanuel. – 1975.
- Letter from A.S. Davidson. – Undated.
- Letter in an Indian language. – Undated.
- Letters, poems, or songs. – Undated.
American Express envelope. – Undated.
- Teluga farewell address. – 1937.
- Notebook of income and expenditures and list of letters received and answered. – 1914–1920.
- Furlough notebook of rough outlines for reports, recipes, addresses, monies received, agricultural notes, and lists of purchases. – Undated.
- Study Paper “The Mennonite Brethren Church Program in India” by J.H. Lohrenz. – 1960.
- Program for Church Dedication in Gonakole Village. – 1976.
- Christmas card. – Undated.
- Wedding Invitations. – 1935, 1963, 1970, 1971.
- Thank-you card, birthday cards. – Undated.
- Two copies of an invitation to the 84th birthday celebrations of Miss. Helen Leana Warkentin. – 1972.
- Program for the 84th birthday celebrations of Miss. Helen Leana Warkentin. – 1972.
- Newspaper clipping from the Deccan Chronicle describing Helen Warkentin’s birthday. – 1972.
- Newspaper clipping from the Christian Leader of the Missionary Counsel in India. – 1958.
- Newspaper clipping of the MB Highschool in India. – Undated.
- Newspaper clipping of H.L. Warkentin and M.C. Wall receiving farewells from the Indians. – 1958.
- Newspaper clipping of Margaret Willems and Helen Dueck with helpers. – Undated.
- Newspaper clipping of the MB Missionary Conference in India. – 1958.
- Newspaper clipping of a Young Men’s Camp held in India. – 1957.
- Newspaper clipping of Mr. and Mrs. Henry G. Krahn and family, missionaries to India. – Undated.
- Newspaper clipping of a farewell service in India for Mr. & Mrs. J.H. Lohrenz. – Undated.
- Newspaper clipping of an MB Missionary Conference in India. – Undated.
- Newspaper clipping from the Deccan Chronicle about Helen Warkentin. – 1972.
- Newspaper clipping of a poem. – Undated.
- Funeral card and obituary for Mary C. Wall. – 1968.
- Funeral card for Helen L. Warkentin. – 1975.
- Two copies of booklet: “Foreign Missions India” by J.H. Lohrenz. – 1948.
Manitoba teacher’s interim certificate for Warkentin. – 1912.
- Manitoba non-professional certificates for Warkentin. – 1914, 1915.
- Professional Third-Class Teacher’s Certificate – 1914. Letters of character reference from V. Winkler, Minister of Agriculture and Immigration in Winnipeg. – 1916.
- Letters from Ottawa regarding Warkentin’s application for a passport. – 1917.
- Certification of Warkentin’s Canadian citizenship. – 1918.
- Character reference for Warkentin. – 1919.
- Envelopes. – Undated.
- MRC Vernacular Exam. – 1921.
- Letter from J.W. Wiens, on behalf of Board of Foreign Missions, to D.F. Bergthold about Warkentin. – 1927.
- Letter to Warkentin from travel service. – 1927.
- Statement of Warkentin’s salary. – 1927.
- Letter from J.W. Wiens, treasurer of the Board of Foreign Missions, regarding Warkentin’s salary. – 1927.
- Statement of Warkentin’s salary. – Undated.
- Letter from J.W. Wiens regarding Warkentin’s salary. – 1928.
- Letter from N.N. Hiebert. – 1929.
- Letters from J.W. Wiens regarding Warkentin’s salary and travel. – 1929.
- Postcard from N.N. Hiebert. – 1929.
- Missionary certificate for Warkentin signed by N.N. Hiebert and covering letter from Leslie B. Moss, Foreign Missions Conference of North America. – 1929.
- Letter from J.W. Wiens regarding travelling money. – 1929.
- Missionary certificate issued to Warkentin by the Board of Foreign Missions. – 1929.
- Letters from J.W. Wiens. – 1931, 1933.
- Two copies of a letter from Travel Service. – 1937.
- Missionary certificate signed by H.W. Lohrenz. – 1938.
- Doctor’s certificate. – 1938.
- Missionary certificate. – 1938.
- Missionary credential. – 1946.
- Doctor’s certificates. – 1948, 1949.
- Vaccination certificate. – 1949.
- Letter from A.E. Janzen regarding travels. – 1950.
- Vaccination certificate. – 1950.
- Pamphlet for visitors to the United States. – Undated.
- Letter from J.T. Kliewer regarding end of Warkentin’s service in India. – 1957.
- Bank statement. – 1957.
- Travel schedules. – 1957.
- Letter regarding visas. – 1957.
- Letter regarding cabling money. – 1957.
- Letters from A.E. Janzen. – 1958.
Helen L. Warkentin diary. – 1914–1929.
Hand-written German song book in Ziffern. – Undated.
- Bible presented to Helen Leana Warkentin at the retirement from Mission Middle School, Deverakonda. – 1957.
Autograph book. – 1928.
- Paper on Thackery for a literature course. – Undated.
Cards, documents, and letters. – Undated.
Documents, cards, and letters. – 1916–1938.
Documents, cards, and letters. – 1948–1985.
Travel booklets. – 1970, undated.
Three Telegu songbooks. – 1931, 1956, undated.
Black binder containing sermon outlines. – Undated.
Booklet: “Mother Helen Leena Warkentin of Devarakonda” by A.S. Joshua. – 1975.
Scrapbook of pictures clipped from newspapers about the work in India. – 1920, 1952–1958, 1971, undated.
Booklet: “A New Vision for the Church Today,” written by Mennonite Brethren Missions and Services for the 50th Jubilee of the India Mennonite Brethren Church. – 1968.
German songbook: “Die Kleine Palme No. 2.” – Undated.
A book of poetry by Annie Johnson Flint. – Undated.
Booklet: “Der Mithelfer” Heft 2. – Undated.
Booklet for the Centennial Celebration of the Mennonite Brethren Church in North America. – 1960.
Booklet: “Harvest Field.” – March/April 1938.
Telegu wall motto.