©Mennonite Heritage Centre 2003
Last updated 28 June 2017
Title: Springstein Mennonite Church fonds
Dates: 1938-2016
Extent: 1.5 m of textual records
Extent: 2 microfilm reels
The Springstein Mennonite Church traces its beginning to the coming of Russian Mennonite immigrants settling in the Springstein, Oak Bluff and surrounding areas in the 1920s. Initially these immigrants met to worship in private homes (mostly in the big house on the communal farm), and then in the local school (1927). Families from two Mennonite traditions (kirchliche and Mennonite Brethren) met together into the 1930s when they each founded their own church. The Springstein Mennonite Church was formally founded in on 17 October 1938, and was independent from that time. That year they also completed a meeting place. Most of the members had previously been part of the Schönwieser Mennonite Church (Gemeinde). Rev. William Enns, Rev. Isaak Penner and Rev. David D. Klassen were early ministers. Rev. Enns was ordained as bishop (Aeltester) in 1941. Members of the congregation were a large part of the society which in 1948 bought the property that established the Assiniboine Mennonite Mission Camp in 1949 near Headingly (later known as Assiniboine Camp). Springstein is listed as a part of the groug that founded the Conference of Mennonites in Manitoba and a congregation that strongly supported Canadian Mennonite Bible College when the Conference of Mennonites in Canada established it in 1947. The leaders of the congregation were: Wilhelm Enns (1930-1940, 1941-1965), Rudy Goerzen (1948-1966), Gerhard Peters (1966-1971), Henry Neufeld (1971-1973), Ervin Siemens (1973-1974), Bruno Epp (1974-1977), Ernest Wiebe (1977-1981), Albert Durksen (1981-1989), Ernie Hildebrand (1990-1993), Elizabeth and Don Plett (1994-1999), Kathy Giesbrecht (1998-2005), Al Rempel (2001), Erwin Kroeker (2002-2007), Steve Plenert (2005-2009), Melissa Miller (2007-2016), Randy Hildebrand (2017 - ).
This fonds consists of bulletins (1961-2002), annual reports (1965-1997), congregational meeting minutes (1929-1998), church Council meeting minutes (1952-1998),education committee meeting minutes (1981-1993), Sunday School teachers' meeting minutes (1977-1985), Sunday School attendance records (1955-1965), congregational directory (1976, 1986, 1989, 1990), congregational newsletters (1975-1989), membership and family register (1938]-1977), marriage register (1939-1981) congregational constitution (1983, 1994), Meridian Interfaith Council meeting minutes (1975-1989), ministerial meeting minutes (1977-1996), music and worship committee meeting minutes ([ca.1980], 1984-1989, 1993), 25th anniversary book and related research notes, etc. (1963), Record of worship service speakers and texts (1950-1973, 1976, 1978), Springstein School minute book (1949-[1969]), Springstein School history (1996), a brief congregational history (1967, 1985), congregational correspondence (1971-1981, 1967-1971), Financial records (1929-1975), Statute of the Springstein Church (1937, 1940, 1951), Correspondence of congregation land purchase (1938), crop reports (1937), Statute of burial fund (1947), membership transfer correspondence (1936-1974), 50th anniversary guest book, correspondence, manuscript, editorial committee meeting minutes (1988-1989), 50th anniversary book (1988), 50th anniversary pictorial directory (1988), mission and service committee meeting minutes (1992-1993).
A detailed inventory list is available.
Much German
No restrictions on access.
The microfilming was done in 1981. The textual records were deposited by the congregation. Described by Bert Friesen, 13 November 2001.
1. Springstein Mennonite Church The 25th Anniversary of the Springstein Mennonite Church 1938-1963 by J.P. Dyck.
2. Springstein Mennonite Church church directory (1976)
3. Springstein Mennonite Church bulletins (1981)
4. Springstein Mennonite Church newsletters (1975-1980)
Volume 2283
1. Springstein Mennonite Church bulletins (1988)
2. Springstein Mennonite Church record of worship service speakers and texts (1950-1973)
3. Springstein Mennonite Church church register pages (1938?-1974?)
4. Springstein Mennonite Church minute book - Springstein School (1949-1969?)
Volume 3526
1. Springstein Mennonite Church bulletins (1991-1994)
2. Springstein Mennonite Church constitution (1994 document only)
3. Springstein Mennonite Church annual report books (1990-1994)
4. Springstein Mennonite Church congregational meeting minutes (1991-1994)
5. Springstein Mennonite Church church council minutes (1991-1994)
6. Springstein Mennonite Church ministerial meeting minutes (1991-1994)
7. Springstein Mennonite Church education committee minutes (1991-1993)
8. Springstein Mennonite Church missions and service meeting minutes (1992-1993)
9. Springstein Mennonite Church music and worship meeting minutes (1993)
Volume 3551
1. Springstein Mennonite Church bulletins (1989)
2. Springstein Mennonite Church bulletins (1986)
3. Springstein Mennonite Church bulletins (1987)
4. Springstein
Mennonite Church bulletins (1988)
Volume 3819
1. Springstein Mennonite Church council minutes (1981-1988)
2. Springstein Mennonite Church ministerial meeting minutes (1981-1988)
3. Springstein Mennonite Church music and worship planning sheets (1984-1988)
4. Springstein Mennonite Church meridian Interfaith Council Records (1975-1988)
5. Springstein Mennonite Church cash receipt books (Jan/65-Sept/75; June/76-Nov/76; Aug/77-Aug/78; Dec./81-Feb/84).
Volume 3820
1. Springstein Mennonite Church annual report books (1980-1987)
2. Springstein Mennonite church congregational meeting minutes (1981-1988)
3. Springstein Mennonite Church S.S. teacher's meetings (1981-1985)
4. Springstein Mennonite Church education committee meeting minutes (1981-1985)
Volume 3821
1. Springstein Mennonite Church 50th Anniversary 1988; planning and programs, registration and guest lists, guest book
2. Springstein Mennonite Church pictorial directory (1988)
3. Springstein Mennonite Church Springstein Mennonite Church Memories 1938-1988 book, original manuscripts
4. Springstein Mennonite Church 25th anniversary material (1963)
5. Springstein Mennonite Church 50th Anniversary of Springstein and surrounding area (1974)
6. Springstein Mennonite Church Wilhelm Loewen appreciation program
7. Springstein Mennonite Church The 25th Anniversary of the Springstein Mennonite Church 1938-1963 by J.P. Dyck, translation by Helga Wiebe
8. Springstein Mennonite Church The History and Development of the Springstein Mennonite Church pager for Mennonite Studies, CMBC by Margot Deininger (1985)
9. Springstein Mennonite Church Remembering with Gratitude. Springstein School 1926-1953) by Helen Isaak (1966).
10. History of the Springstein School paper by Frank Froese (1956).
11. Mixed Blessings - 50th Anniversary Cookbook of the Springstein Mennonite Church
Volume 3880
1. Springstein Mennonite Church newsletters (1982-1985)
2. Springstein Mennonite Church family register pages - undated
3. Springstein Mennonite Church family register - bound
Volume 4453
1. Springstein Mennonite Church constitution review document (1983)
2. Springstein Mennonite Church council, ministerial, education & Mission and service minutes (1990)
3. Springstein Mennonite Church bulletins (1985)
4. Springstein Mennonite Church bulletins (1990)
5. Springstein Mennonite Church annual report book (1989)
6. Springstein Mennonite church church directory (1990)
7. Springstein Mennonite Church Finance & Maintenance 1983-1989 (pastoral)
8. Springstein Mennonite Church Finance & Maintenance 1990-1994
9. Springstein Mennonite Church Finance & Maintenance 1995-1997
10. Springstein Mennonite Church Finance & Maintenance 1998-1999
11. Springstein Mennonite Church Finance & Maintenance 2000-2002
Volume 4457
1. Springstein Mennonite Church bulletins (1996-1999)
2. Springstein Mennonite church annual report books (1995-1997
3. Springstein Mennonite Church congregational meeting minutes (1996-1998)
4. Springstein Mennonite Church church council meeting minutes (1995-1998)
5. Springstein Mennonite Church ministerial meeting minutes (1995, 1996)
Volume 4944
1. Springstein Mennonite Church Senior Verein Records - 1932-1990
2. Springstein Mennonite Church Willing Workers' account book - 1961-1970
3. Springstein Mennonite Church Willing Workers' Sunshine Fund 1975-1980
4. Springstein Mennonite Church Abendglocken Verein - 1953-1959; 1959-1963
5. Springstein Mennonite Church Abendglocken Verein/Willing Workers - 1963-1971
6. Springstein Mennonite Church Willing Workers' 1971-1983; 1979-1985
7. Springstein Mennonite Church German library 1948-1980
8. Springstein Mennonite Church Church Mission sales - 1953-1967
Volume 4945
1. Springstein Mennonite Church Sunday School; Teacher and student lists - 1938-1993; CMC questionaries - 1955-1968; teachers' meetins - 1975-1976, 1964-1968; parent/teacher programs - 1957-1977; account book - 1952-1978; evaluation - 1960
2. Springstein Mennonite Church Programs - Sunday School Christmas 1953-1973; Saturday German School 1952-1953; Choir (Christmas) 1977-1991
3. Springstein Mennonite Church Education Committee - Summer Bible School - 1970-1979, 1983-1984; 1987; Boys' and Girls' Clubs - 1975-1980; 1981-1982, 1983-1988
Volume 4946
1. Springstein Mennonite Church bulletins 1989
2. Springstein Mennonite Church newsletters 1981, 1986-1990 (final)
3. Springstein Mennonite Church membership directories 1961, 1964, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1981, 1986, 1988, 1997, 1999
4. Springstein Mennonite Church pictorial directories 1983, 1938-1988 (50th anniversary), 1995
Volume 4947
1. Springstein Mennonite Church annual report - 1988
2. Springstein Mennonite Church congregational meeting minutes 1989
3. Springstein Mennonite Church congregational meeting minutes 1995
4. Springstein Mennonite Church speakers' lists 1966-1973
5. Springstein Mennonite Church constitution review and document - 1964
6. Springstein Mennonite Church constitution review and document - 1975
7. Springstein Mennonite Church church council meeting minutes - 1979-1980, 1989, 1994
8. Springstein Mennonite Church correspondence 1982-1990
9. Springstein Mennonite Church correspondence with community prior to 2000
10. Springstein Mennonite Church education committee minutes 1975-1980, 1989
11. Springstein Mennonite Church music committee 1977-1978
12. Springstein Mennonite Church youth 1959-1977
Volume 4948
1. Springstein Mennonite Church ministerial minutes 1989
2. Springstein Mennonite Church church expansion project - 1981 by John and Shirley Dyck (including relevant council minutes).
3. Springstein Mennonite Church renovations - 1991 (plans and quotes)
4. Springstein Mennonite Church annual report book - 1998
5. Springstein Mennonite church congregagional meeting minutes - 1999
6. Springstein Mennonite church annual report book - 1999
7. Springstein Mennonite Church congregational meeting minutes - 2000
8. Springstein Mennonite Church annual report book - 2000
9. Springstein Mennonite church congregational meeting minutes - 2001
10. Springstein Mennonite Church church council minutes - 1999-2001
11. Springstein Mennonite Church education meeting minutes - 1994-95, 1997
12. Springstein Mennonite Church Mission and Service Committee minutes - 1990-91, 1976-82, 1992, 1994, 1995-96
2. Springstein Mennonite Church membership directory - 1975
3. Springstein Mennonite Church Ministerial Minutes - 1990, 1997, 1998
4. Springstein Mennonite church Women's Fellowship Minutes - 1993
5. Springstein Mennonite Church Pastoral Support Committee Guidelines, etc. prior to 2000
6. Springstein Mennonite Church Pastoral Reports - 1993-2001
Volume 4803
1. Springstein Mennonite Church Music & Worship - 2000, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1995-97, 2002
2. Springstein Mennonite Church Annual Report Book - 2001, Congregational Meeting - 2002
3. Springstein Mennonite Church Church Council 2002
4. Springstein Mennonite Church Missions & Service 2002
5. Springstein Mennonite Church Pastoral 1990-1992
6. Springstein Mennonite Church Ministerial 1999-2000, 2001-2002
7. Springstein Mennonite Church membership directory 2002
8. Springstein Mennonite Church Ministry Opportunity Exploration (MOE) 2000-01
Volume 2764
1. Springstein Mennonite Church Education, Ministerial/Pastoral, Missions & Service and Music & Worship meeting minutes (2004).
2. Springstein Mennonite Church Education, Ministerial/Pastoral, Missions & Service and Music & Worship meeting minutes (2005).
3. Springstein Mennonite Church Meridian Interchurch Council meeting minutes (2004-05).
4. Springstein Mennonite Church Parsonage Sale, Rental and Rezoning (2000-2003).
5. Springstein Mennonite Church annual reports (2003), congregational meeting minutes (2004), church council meeting minutes (2004), membership directory (2004).
6. Springstein Mennonite Church annual reports (2004), congregational meeting minutes (2005), church council meeting minutes (2005), membership directory (2005).1. Springstein Mennonite Church Legal Documents - Church Property; church charter (1942), certificate of title (1951), purchase of first parsonage (1967), purchase of land for second parsonage (1974)
2. Springstein Mennonite Church Willing Workers/Women's Fellowship (1985-1999)
3. Springstein Mennonite Church miscellaneous records (1951-1973), marriage register (1951-1973)
4. Springstein Mennonite Church finance & maintenance (2004-2007)
5. Springstein Mennonite Church education (2007), ministerial/pastoral (2007), missions & service (2007), music & worship (2007)
6. Springstein Mennonite Church annual reports (2007), congregational meeting minutes (2008), church council minutes (2008), church membership (2008)
7. Springstein Mennonite Church membership (2008), pictorial directoryVolume 5850
1. Springstein
Mennonite Church bulletins (2010); annual congregation meeting minutes
(2010); church council meeting minutes (2010); annual congregational
meeting minutes (2010); list of elected committee members (2010);
church council meeting minutes (2010); list of attendees & members
(2010); Christian Education meeting minutes (2010); Ministerial Meeting
minutes (2010); memorials (2010; pastor/congregation relations
committee (2010); Mission & Service Committee minutes (2010); Music
& Worship Committee minutes (2010); Youth report (2010); Attendance
record 1988-2009
2. Springstein Mennonite Church Youth 1949-1964 (including some Manitoba Mennonite Youth Organization materials)
3. Springstein Mennonite Church Men's Breakfast 1992-2000.
4. Springstein Mennonite Church Canadian Food Grains Project 2008-2012.
5. Springtstein Mennonite Church 70th Anniversary of the Church (September 14, 2008)
6. Springstein Mennonite Church Finance & Maintenance 2008-2009.
7. Springstein Mennonite Church Education (including Sunday School), Ministerial/Pastoral (2011); Missions & Service (2011); Music & Worship (2011); Youth (2011)
8. Springstein Mennonite Church congregational meeting minutes (2011); church council meeting minutes (2011); membership (2011)
9. Springstein Mennonite Church bulletins (2011)
Volume 5851
1. Springstein Mennonite Church bulletins (January - June 2012)
2. Springstein Mennonite Church bulletins (July - December 2012)
3. Springstein Mennonite Church Meridian Interchurch Council (2010-2012)
4. Springstein Mennonite Church Finance & Maintenance 2010-2012
5. Springstein Mennonite Church annual reports 2011, congregational meeting minutes (2012), church council meetings minutes (2012); membership list (2012)
6. Springstein Mennonite Church Education (including Sunday School) 2012; ministerial/pastoral (2012); missions & service (2012); music & worship (2012); youth (2012)
Education (including Sunday School) (2012); Ministerial/Pastoral
7. Springstein Mennonite Church, COOL (Communities Offering Others Life), Canadian Foodgrains Bank Project (2008-2011)
8. Springstein Mennonite Church (2013); bulletins (2013); annual report book (2012); Music and Worship meeting minutes (2013); SMC church council meeting minutes (2013)
9. Springstein Mennonite Church (2014); bulletins (2014); congregational meeting minutes (2014); music & worship committee minutes (2014); church council meetings minutes (2014); mission & service committee meeting (2014)
Volume 6302
1. Springstein Mennonite church (2015); bulletins (2015), pastor reports, church council reports; congregational meeting minutes; communion proposal
2. Springstein Mennonite Church (2016); bulletins
Microfilm No. 276 (MHC Project No. 91)
Microfilm No. 277 (MHC Project No. 91)
Microfilm No. 346 (MHC Project No. 91)