© Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Last updated 26 October 2010)

  • Klassen, Jacob J., 1868-1947

    • Retrieval numbers: Volume 5199

    Title: Jacob J. Klassen fonds
    Dates: 1873-1947
    Extent: 38 cm of textual records
    Repository: Mennonite Heritage Centre Archives

    Historical note

    Jacob J. Klassen was born on January 19, 1868 to Jacob Klassen (1839-1916) and Elizabeth Ens (1841-1896) in the Mennonite village of Schöndorf, Borozenko colony, South Russia where he received his early formal education. He served in the forestry service as an alternative to military service from 1890-1894. On June 25, 1894 he married Margaretha Ens and lived on a rented farm in the Nepluyevka colony until 1897 when the family moved to the village of Gnadental, Baratov colony.
    In 1900 Jacob Klassen was elected into the ministry in the Neuchortitzer Mennonite Church in Nepluyevka and ordained in the Baratov colony. Klassen was instrumental in organizing the Mennonite emigration from the Batatov and Schlachtin colonies to Canada. In 1923 Jacob and Elizabeth Klassen along with their six children moved to Blumenort, Manitoba near present day Gretna. In Canada he helped organized the scattered immigrants and helped found the Blumenorter Mennonite Church and served as its leading minister 1925-1928 which he did in addition to his work on his farm. After 1928 John P. Bueckert became the leading minister and Klassen continued as a lay minister almost until his death on September 9, 1947. He preached a total of 1672 times (609 in Canada), performed 70 weddings, 75 engagements and 165 funerals.

    Scope and content note

    This fonds consists of sermons written or copied by Klassen that span both the Russian and Canadian experience. They are written long hand in Gothic German script. Most of the sermons are dated to the time of authorship and date and location delivered. Also included is a family history written by Klassen and a devotional book by Karl Gerok.

    Index terms

    Creators

  • Klassen, Jacob J., 1868-1947

    Adjunct descriptive data

    Finding aids

    Inventory file list

    Notes

    Custodial history

    These sermons were donated to the archives by Klassen's granddaughter Margaret Schmidt and grandson Ben Sawatzky both of Winnipeg in 2003. One transcribed sermon was donated by another granddaughter, Betty Klassen, in 2010.

    Language

    German Gothic handwritten script

    Restrictions on access

    none

    Related Materials
            See the CMU library for the self published book by Michelle Klassen, "Great Grandpa Gerhard." It is a children's book about Gerhard Klassen 1914-1950, a son of Jacob J. Klassen.  

    Other notes

    Described by Conrad Stoesz February 16, 2007. Updated by Alf Redekopp October 26, 2010 and Conrad Stoesz February 28, 2019.

    • VOLUME 5199
    Jacob J. Klassen fonds inventory file list
    1. Jacob J. Klassen biographical sketch and obituary. -- [ca. 1964]
    2. Jacob J. Klassen sermon. -- 1873.
    3. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1889-1895.
    4. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1900.
    5. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1901.
    6. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1902.
    7. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1903.
    8. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1904.
    9. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1905. . Includes transcript by Betty Klassen of this sermon entitled "Der durststillende Heiland"  (Acc. No. 2010-070). 
    10. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1906.
    11. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1907.
    12. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1908.
    13. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1909.
    14. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1910-1911.
    15. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1912.
    16. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1913.
    17. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1914-1917.
    18. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1918-1922.
    19. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1925-1931.
    20. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1932-1935.
    21. Jacob J. Klassen sermons. -- 1937-1942.
    22. Jacob J. Klassen sermons, hymns, and prayer fragments. -- 1890-[193-?].
    23. Jacob J. Klassen undated sermons. -- [1890-1930?].
    24. Correspondence to Jacob J. Klassen. -- 1924-1947.
    25. Aus der Familien Chronik der Klassen familie, geschreiben von Jacob J. Klassen. -- [194-?]
    26. "Aus Ernster Zeit: Neue Evangelien - Predigten" von Karl Gerok, Vierte Auflage, Stuttgart, 1901. This item was used in the Klassen home for devotional purposes.