©Mennonite Heritage Centre 2002
Last updated 20 March 2013

Mennonite Heritage Centre Archives
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Title: Burrows Bethel Church fonds
Dates: 1960-1998
Extent: 1.61 m of textual records
Extent: 12 photographs

Historical note

In early 1960 several members of the Bethel Mennonite Church in Winnipeg formed a temporary board of trustees with the goal of establishing an "outpost" church of the parent Bethel congregation. On April 23, 1961 the 51 members of the newly formed Elmwood Bethel Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, held a dedication service commemorating the establishment of their new church home on the corner of Talbot and Allen in Elmwood. Serving as leaders during these early years were Peter Schmidt, 1961-1962, as the church's interim lay minister and Henry P. Friesen, 1962-1970, as the church's first full time minister. In 1973, with a membership of over 150 and limited space, the congregation decided to purchase the former St. Giles United Church building at the corner of Burrows and Charles, thus becoming known as Burrows Bethel Church. Bob Peters led the congregation during this transition, serving from 1970-1974. Other pastors serving at Burrows Bethel Church were: Walter Braun, 1975-1977, Ken Heppner 1978-1988 and Ken Poysti, 1989-1995. By early 1996 attendance had dropped to approximately 70 and the congregation decided upon another move, this time sharing accommodations with Gordon King Memorial United Church on Coburg St.. Twenty five families moved to this new location, and then called themselves Bethel Community Church (Mennonite). However, on June 23, 1997 the congregation decided that Bethel Community Church (Mennonite) should be dissolved. A final service of closure was held on August 24, 1997. Serving as pastors during this period were Dr. Bernie Wiebe on an interim basis from 1996-1997 and Carol Olafson for several months until the church's closure.

Scope and content note

This fonds consist of church bulletins, annual reports, newsletters, minutes of church council and congregational meetings, financial records, constitutions, policies, legal records, worship, evangelism & mission activities, records of growth and expansion and photographs.

Finding aids

Finding aid consists of a series description with an inventory file list.

Notes

Custodial history

The majority of the material in this fonds were deposited by the church through Garry Dyck, the last congregational chairperson of Burrows Community Church (Mennonite) in October 1997.

Arrangement

Arranged and described by Myron Dyck in May and June 2000.

Restrictions on access

none

Other notes

Accession No. 97-151

SERIES DESCRIPTION

1) Church Bulletins. -- 1961-1997. -- 42 cm of textual records.

This series consists of bulletins which outline the order of the worship service and contain other notices and announcements. They were produced by the church for weekly Sunday morning services and special event services.

Files are arranged chronologically.

Location: Volumes 45, 1427, 1613, 2788, 3260.

2) Annual Reports. -- 1962-1996. -- 10 cm of textual records.

This series consists of annual report booklets published by the church in preparation for annual congregational meetings. Included in these booklets are reports from the various church committees and a proposed budget for the following year.

Location: Volumes 4024, 4848.

3) Keep in Touch and Burrows Bethel Church Newsletters. -- 1975-1995. -- 30 cm of textual records.

This series contains the monthly church newsletter. The Keep in Touch newsletter included various announcements, notices and activities. Beginning in May 1975, the "Keep in Touch" newsletter published 226 issues and continued until June 1994. In March 1995 the Burrows Bethel Church newsletter began, publishing 20 issues to December 1996.

Location: Volume 4848.

4) Church Council and Congregational Meeting Minutes. -- 1960-1997. – 16 cm of textual records.

The material in this series consists of minutes and reports from church council and congregational meetings. Also included are the minutes of several temporary committee meetings which initiated the beginnings of Elmwood Bethel Mennonite Church.

Location: Volume 4849.

5) Financial Material. -- 1961-1994. -- 5 cm of textual records.

This series contains minutes of the finance committee as well as statements and other applicable data relating to the financial operations of the church.

Location: Volume 4849.

6) Insurance and Legal Records. -- 1961-1963, 1970-1987, 1996. -- 5 cm of textual records.

This series consists of the insurance records of the church, the various business and legal transactions completed by the church, including the church's two legal name changes.

Location. Volume 4849.

7) Missions and Evangelism. -- 1963-1994. -- 8 cm of textual records.

The material in this series primarily contains minutes and reports from committees related to missions and evangelism. Also included in this series are prayer calendars, material from the Time and Talent Auction and the church's participation in the "Living in Faithful Evangelism" (LIFE) process.

Location: Volume 4849.

8) Church Constitution, Guidelines and Policies. -- 1960-1994. -- 3 cm of textual records.

The material in this series consists of the church's constitution as well as guidelines, descriptions and responsibilities of various church functions and positions. This series also contains material regarding the church's relationship with the General Conference and the Canadian Mennonite Bible College.

Location: 4850.

9) Christian Education. -- 1961-1994. -- 32 cm of textual records.

This series consists of minutes and reports of committees related to Christian education such as the Christian Education and Sunday School committees as well as Pioneer Clubs and College and Careers. This series also contains Sunday School attendance and offering records. Other non-administrative material included are Awana Youth and Christian Service Brigade material, films viewed at the church and cell group and home fellowship material.

Location: Volume 4850, 4851.

10) Building and Future Growth. -- 1962-1997. -- 3 cm of textual records.

The material in this series consists primarily of minutes, reports of various committees pertaining to the growth of the congregation and maintenance and expansion of church facilities. Other material included are church rentals, inventory records and blueprints.

Location: Volume 4851.

11) Church Records and Statistics. -- 1964-1997. -- 55 cm of textual records.

This series consists of various records and statistics regarding church membership, baptism, transfers and attendance. Also included in this series are the church's guest books and marriage register.

Location: Volume 4851, 4852.

12) Worship and Congregational Life. -- various dates 1962-1997. -- 11 cm of textual records.

The material in this series consists of minutes and reports of the Worship Personnel, Congregational Life Committees and Deacon's meetings. This series also includes material applicable to the congregational life of the church such and other material documenting special services and programs.

Location: Volume 4852.

13) Photographs. -- 19--, 1972, 1990. -- (10 b&w; 2 colour)

Eleven of the twelve photos in this series display various shots of the Burrows Bethel Church interior, including the church organ, pews and sanctuary. One photo is of the Elmwood Bethel Mennonite Church exterior.

Location: Photo Collection No. 507.

Burrows Bethel Church fonds inventory file list :

Volume 45

  1. Church Bulletins, 1961-1964.
  2. Church Bulletins, 1965.
  3. Church Bulletins, 1966.
  4. Church Bulletins, 1967.
  5. Church Bulletins, 1968.
  6. Church Bulletins, 1969.
  7. Church Bulletins, 1970.

Volume 1427

  1. Church Bulletins, 1971-1973.
  2. Church Bulletins, 1974.
  3. Church Bulletins, 1975
  4. Church Bulletins, 1976
  5. Church Bulletins, 1977.

Volume 1613

  1. Church Bulletins, 1978.
  2. Church Bulletins, 1979.
  3. Church Bulletins, 1980.
  4. Church Bulletins, 1981.
  5. Church Bulletins, 1982.
  6. Church Bulletins, 1983.

Volume 2788

  1. Church Bulletins, 1984.
  2. Church Bulletins, 1985.
  3. Church Bulletins, 1986.
  4. Church Bulletins, 1987.
  5. Church Bulletins, 1988.

Volume 3260

  1. Church Bulletins, 1989, Directory (1989?).
  2. Church Bulletins, 1990.
  3. Church Bulletins, 1991
  4. Church Bulletins, 1992
  5. Church Bulletins, 1993, directory (1993)
  6. Church Bulletins, 1994-1997.

Volume 4024

  1. Annual Reports, 1962-1969.
  2. Annual Reports, 1970-1976.
  3. Annual Reports, 1977-1981.

Volume 4848

  1. Annual Reports, 1982-1987.
  2. Annual Reports, 1988-1996.
  3. Keep in Touch Newsletter, 1975-1976.
  4. Keep in Touch Newsletter, 1977.
  5. Keep in Touch Newsletter, 1978.
  6. Keep in Touch Newsletter, 1979.
  7. Keep in Touch Newsletter, 1980.
  8. Keep in Touch Newsletter, 1981.
  9. Keep in Touch Newsletter, 1982.
  10. Keep in Touch Newsletter, 1983.
  11. Keep in Touch Newsletter, 1984.
  12. Keep in Touch Newsletter, 1985.
  13. Keep in Touch Newsletter, 1986.
  14. Keep in Touch Newsletter, 1987.
  15. Keep in Touch Newsletter, 1988.
  16. Keep in Touch Newsletter, 1989.
  17. Keep in Touch Newsletter, 1990.
  18. Keep in Touch Newsletter, 1991.
  19. Keep in Touch Newsletter, 1992
  20. Keep in Touch Newsletter, 1993-1994.
  21. Burrows Bethel Church Newsletter, 1995.

Volume 4849

  1. Church Council Minutes, 1961-1963.
  2. Church Council Minutes, 1964-1967.
  3. Church Council Minutes, 1968-1972.
  4. Church Council Minutes, 1973-1977.
  5. Church Council Minutes, 1978-1985.
  6. Church Council Minutes, 1986-1989.
  7. Church Council Minutes, 1990-1997.
  8. Congregational Meeting Minutes, 1959-1970.
  9. Congregational Meeting Minutes, 1971-1998.

    10. 9b. Task Force re. property search. -- 1982.

    Financial Material

  10. Finance Committee Minutes. -- 1978-1989.
  11. Finance Committee Minutes. -- 1990-1994.
  12. Financial Statements. -- 1961-1963.
  13. Financial Statements. -- 1963-1970.
  14. Financial Statements. -- 1981-1993.
  15. Summary of Finances. -- 1994.
  16. Financial Data. -- 1961-1994.

    17. Insurance and Legal

  17. Insurance Records. -- 1970-1987.
  18. Legal Transactions. -- 1961-1963.
  19. Legal Transactions. -- 1972, 1977, 1985.
  20. Sale of the Church. -- 1973.
  21. Church Loan. -- 1973.
  22. Church Name Change. -- 1973.
  23. Church Name Change. -- 1996.
  24. Organ Repairs. -- 1975.

    25. Missions and Evangelism

  25. Missions Committee Minutes. -- 1963-1983.
  26. Missions Committee Minutes. -- 1984-1988.
  27. Missions Committee Minutes. -- 1989-1994.
  28. Missions and Evangelism Minutes. -- 1985.
  29. Evangelism Committee Report. -- 1986.
  30. Prayer and Missions Calendars. -- 1997.
  31. Public Relations Committee Minutes. -- 1961.
  32. Time and Talent Auction Meeting Minutes and Material. -- 1993.
  33. Pastor's Evangelical Fellowship. -- 1976-1977, 1987.
  34. Union Gospel Mission. -- 1987.
  35. Living In Faithful Evangelism (LIFE). -- 1990

    36. Constitution and Policies

  36. Church Constitution. -- 1960, 1964, 1988.
  37. Statement of Purpose. -- n.d.
  38. Worship Service Guidelines. -- 1994.
  39. Church Policies. -- 1973-1982, 1987.
  40. Principles and Policies for Church use. -- 1994.
  41. Committee Responsibilities. -- n.d.
  42. Job Descriptions. -- various dates.
  43. Women's Missionary Society Constitution. -- n.d.
  44. Conference Relationship Study. -- 1978, 1979.
  45. Questionnaire for Canadian Mennonite Bible College students. -- 1973-1974.

Volume 4850

Christian Education
  1. Christian Education Committee Minutes. -- 1973-1985.
  2. Christian Education Committee Minutes. -- 1986-1994.
  3. Sunday School Committee. -- 1961.
  4. Sunday School Committee Minutes and other material. -- 1962-1990.
  5. Sunday School Committee Minutes. -- various dates 1970-1984.
  6. Sunday School Attendance Records. -- 1977-1987.
  7. Sunday School Attendance and Offering Records. -- 1975-1989.
  8. Sunday School Student Records. -- 1973.
  9. Sunday School Class and Teacher Lists. -- 1981-1990
  10. Sunday School Offering Contributions. -- 1987.
  11. Sunday School Records. -- 1964-1966.
  12. Sunday School Records. -- 1966-1968.
  13. Sunday School Records. -- 1968-1969, 1972-1973.
  14. Sunday School Records. -- 1973-1974, 1978-1979.
  15. Sunday School Records. -- 1979-1982.
  16. Sunday School Records. -- 1982-1984, 1985-1986.
  17. Sunday School Records. -- 1986-1988, 1989-1990.
  18. Library Committee Minutes. -- 1961, 1962.
  19. Pioneer Clubs Committee Minutes. -- 1984-1991.
  20. Pioneer Girls. -- 1971-1982.
  21. College and Career Executive Minutes. -- 1982.
  22. Youth. -- 1980, 1990.
  23. Junior Church. -- 1990-1991.
  24. Christian Service Brigade. -- 1983-1984.

Volume 4851

  1. Awana Youth Clubs. -- 1983.
  2. Cell Group Ministry. -- n.d.
  3. Congregational Goals Study Material. -- 1980.
  4. Films shown at Burrows Bethel. -- 1973-1987.
  5. Home Fellowships. -- 1987.

    6. Building and Future Growth

  6. Building Committee Minutes. -- 1962-1963.
  7. Building Committee Minutes. -- various dates 1968-1980.
  8. Future Growth Committee. -- 1971-1973.
  9. Church Growth Committee. -- 1984-1985.
  10. Ways and Means Committee Minutes. -- 1973-1974.
  11. Facilities Committee Minutes. -- 1995.
  12. Church Rentals. -- 1973.
  13. Church Inventory. -- 1980, 1997.
  14. Church Blueprints. -- 1968.
  15. Architectural Sketches of Church. -- 1967-1968.

    16. Church Records and Statistics

  16. General Growth Information. -- 1983-1993.
  17. Church Statistics for General Conference. -- 1964-1995.
  18. Member and Attendance Statistics. -- 1964-1991.
  19. Attendance Records. -- 1985?, 1995-1997.
  20. Attendance Records. -- 1980, 1984-1994.
  21. Church Guest Book. -- 1964-1969.
  22. Church Guest Book. -- 1969-1971.
  23. Church Guest Book. -- 1971-1973.
  24. Church Guest Book. -- 1973-1979.
  25. Church Guest Book. -- 1979-1986.
  26. Membership and Phone Lists. -- various dates 1964-1997.
  27. Membership Records Cards. -- various dates 1960s-1970s.
  28. Membership Records Cards. -- updated to 1996.

Volume 4852

1-120 Membership Records Folders. -- updated to 1996.

  1. Baptism Records. -- various dates 1963-1972.
  2. Transfer Records. -- various dates 1973-1995.
  3. Register of Marriages. -- various dates 1963-1994. (stored separately)

    4. Worship and Congregational Life

  4. Worship Committee Minutes. -- 1978-1988.
  5. Worship Committee Minutes. -- 1989-1995.
  6. Personnel Committee Minutes. -- 1986-1988.
  7. Congregational Life Minutes. -- 1994.
  8. Deacon's Meeting Minutes. -- 1962, 1994, 1995.
  9. Program Committee. -- 1974, 1979.
  10. Worship Calendars. -- 1986, 1996-1997.
  11. Correspondence. -- 1962.
  12. Correspondence. -- 1974, 1995-1997.
  13. Congregational Letters. -- 1988, 1991, 1994.
  14. Covenant between Burrows Bethel and Gordon-King United Church. -- 1996.
  15. Pastoral Installation Service. -- 1975.
  16. Church Dedication Service. -- 1963, 1973.
  17. Child Dedication. -- 1977.
  18. 25th Anniversary Material. -- 1986.
  19. Church Pamphlets, Questionnaires, and Announcements. -- various dates.
  20. Birthdays and Anniversaries. -- 1990, 1995, 1997.
  21. Letter to St. Giles. -- 1973.
  22. Prayer Chain. -- 1985, 1986.
  23. Church Ministries Leadership. -- 1994-1997.
  24. Nominating Committee Members. -- 1973-1992, 1994.
  25. Morning Out for Mothers (MOMS) Program. -- 1991-1992.
  26. Pay and Hours of Interim Pastor. -- 1988-1989.
  27. Ministry Renewal. -- 1969.
  28. Office Reference File. -- n.d.
  29. Ushering Schedules. -- 1970, 1981.
  30. Pastoral Search Committee Minutes and other Material. -- 1978, 1988, 1995-1996.
  31. Food Distribution Record. -- 1992.
  32. Burrows Bethel Church Register. -- n.d.

Photograph Collection 507 Inventory:

507:1 Elmwood Bethel Mennonite Church.. - [19--]. - 12x18 [b&w]. This photograph is of the Elmwood Bethel Mennonite Church building exterior.

507:2 Pulpit, Pews and Pipe Organ, Burrows Bethel Church.. - [1972]. - 8x8 [colour]. This photo is of the front sanctuary of the Burrows Bethel Church, displaying the pulpit, pews and pipe organ.

507:3 View from the Pulpit.. - [1972]. - 8x8 [colour]. The subject of this photo is the lower and upper church sanctuary, as viewed from the front pulpit.

507:4 Pipes of the Burrows Bethel Organ.. - [1990]. - 12x17 [b&w]. This photo displays the pipes of the Burrows Bethel organ.

507:5 Burrows Bethel Church Sanctuary.. - [1990]. - 12x17 [b&w]. This photo, taken from the back of the church, is of the front of the church sanctuary, including the pipes of the organ, choir loft, pulpit and pews.

507:6 View from the Balcony #1.. - [1990]. - 8x12 [b&w]. This photo is taken from the church balcony at Burrows Bethel and it highlights the U-shaped format of the church pews, the choir loft and pipe organ and the front pulpit.

507:7 View from the Balcony #2.. - [1990]. - 12x8 [b&w]. This photo, also taken from the church balcony, highlights the front of the church sanctuary, including the U-shaped format of the pews, the choir loft and pipe organ and the pulpit.

507:8 Pipe Organ Console #1.. - [1990]. - 9x14 [b&w]. This photo displays the console of the Burrows Bethel Church organ, highlighting the keyboard and stops.

507:9 Pipe Organ Console #2.. - [1990]. - 8x12 [b&w]. This photo is also of the pipe organ console, highlighting the keyboard and stops.

507:10 Church Pews #1.. - 1990. - 12x8 [b&w]. This photo is of the church pews of the main sanctuary, highlighting their U-shaped format in the sanctuary.

507:11 Church Pews #2. - [1990]. - 8x12 [b&w]. This photograph is also of the church pews, highlighting their U-shaped format in the sanctuary.

507:12 Church Pews-Balcony.. - 1990. - 8x12 [b&w]. This photograph is of the church pews located in the balcony. Highlighted here, along with the rounded rows, is the downward gradation of the pews.