©Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba. (Last updated May 23, 2007)
Gerhard G. Neufeld fonds. -- 1752-1988 -- 50 cm of textual material.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Gerhard G. Neufeld was born on November 5, 1902 in Lichtenau, South Russia. In 1924 G.G. Neufeld and Helena Warkentin were married in Russia. Several months later, however, due to the conflict in Russia, they emigrated to Canada. In 1925 the Neufeld's settled in Whitewater, Manitoba where they established a small farming operation. Along with his farming responsibilities G.G. Neufeld was also very active in the Whitewater Mennonite Church, which was formed in 1925. On May 26, 1927 G.G. Neufeld was elected to the ministry of the Whitewater Mennonite Church and in 1938 Neufeld was elected to lead the Whitewater congregations. In 1939 the Whitewater Mennonite Church consisted of seven local congregations in Boissevain (Whitewater), Crystal City, Lena, Manitou, Mather, Ninga and Rivers.
In 1947 the Canadian Mennonite Conference requested that G.G. Neufeld represent them as a delegate to examine the state of affairs of the Mennonite settlements in Brazil and Paraguay. Rev. Neufeld accepted this request and in January of 1948 left Canada for South America. The itinerary of Rev. Neufeld took him to Brazil where, in Curitiba, he officiated at the ordination of David Koop, a friend from his youth in Russia. He also visited the Mennonite settlements in Witmarsum, Brazil. While in Paraguay Neufeld traveled to the colonies of Volendam, Neuland and Fernheim where many Mennonite families arriving from Russia were settling. In total Neufeld spent approximately six months in South America.
Upon his return to Canada Neufeld continued with his official duties with the various congregations of the Whitewater Mennonite Church until his retirement in 1965. However, throughout his retirement Neufeld continued to hold the title of Elder, preaching and performing ministerial duties in the Boissevain area. In 1988, Gerhard and Helena moved into an apartment at the Bethania seniors complex in Winnipeg. There, in July of 1989 Gerhard and Helena, together with family and friends, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. In September of the following year, Helena Neufeld passed away. G.G. Neufeld continued to live at the Bethania apartments until 1993 when he moved to the Bethania personal care home. G.G. Neufeld passed away in April of 1997.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
This collection is categorized into four series, reflecting different aspects of Rev. G.G. Neufeld's involvement as a minister at the Whitewater Mennonite church. The four series are: 1) Travel Journals of South America, 1948, 2) Church and Family History, 1752-1982, 3) Sermons and Church Related Material, 1927-1988, 4) Photographs from South America, 1948.
CUSTODIAL HISTORY
Some of this collection was deposited by Bernie Neufeld, Gerhard and Helen's son, in July of 1997. Other materials were collected by David and Trudy Schellenberg of Winkler for the Christian Heritage Library.
NOTES
The majority of the material in this collection is in German.
Arranged and described by Myron Dyck in July 2000. Description updated by Sharon H.H. Brown, December, 2002.
Accession Nos. 97-155, 97-150.
Retrieval Numbers: Vol. 4864-4866; 2115:6; Photograph collection 512.
Finding aid consists of series description with an inventory file list.
SERIES DESCRIPTION
Travel Journals of South America. -- 1948. -- 3 cm of textual records.
This series consists of several notebooks containing a wide variety of information and reflection regarding the Mennonite settlements of Brazil and Paraguay. Included in this series are personal entries, agricultural data and Mennonite colony and village statistics. Also included are comprehensive lists of Mennonite families in the Mennonite villages of the Chaco and East Paraguay. These lists state the head of the household, number of children and, in many cases, information regarding the location of family members still in Russia, including a date of arrest or death. These village lists also contain greetings to and from Mennonites in Paraguay and Canada.
Location: Vol. 4864:1-2
Family and Church History. -- 1752-1989. -- 13 cm of textual material.
This series contains material related to the history of Rev. Neufeld's family and the Whitewater Mennonite Church. Included here is genealogical and family-related material, highlighting family history and special events. Also included are notes, drafts and recollections found in Rev. Neufeld's autobiography What God Has Done (1982), Die Geschichte der Whitewater Mennoniten Gemeinde in Manitoba. 1925-1965 (1967), and The History of the Whitewater Mennonite Church. 1927-1987. (1987). This series also contains other material related to the history of Mennonites and the Whitewater Mennonite Church.
Location: Vol. 4864:3-7; 4865:1-4; 2115:6
Sermons and Church Related Material. -- 1927-1988. -- 34 cm of textual material.
The majority of material in this series consists of topical files containing sermons, related articles and other printed material. Also included in this series are marriage, baptism, funeral, sermon and communion lists detailing names, location, date and message delivered for each occasion.
Location: Vol. 4865:5-7; 4866:1-44;
4) Photographs from Brazil and Paraguay. -- 1948. -- 193 photos : b&w.
The photographs in this collection document the 6 months that Rev. G.G. Neufeld spent examining the situation of Mennonites in Brazil and Paraguay. This series is divided geographically according to the regions and colonies in Brazil and Paraguay where Neufeld traveled. The subjects of this collection include photos of the church leadership in Paraguay and Brazil and of the various church buildings, homesteads and villages. This collection also includes photos of people, friends and families in the colonies as well as other subjects and places unique to the South American landscape.
Location: Photo Collection No. 512.
G.G. Neufeld fonds file list:
Volume 4864
TRAVEL JOURNALS OF SOUTH AMERICA
CHURCH AND FAMILY HISTORY
Volume 4865
SERMONS AND CHURCH RELATED MATERIAL
Volume 4866