The Black Creek Mennonite Brethren Church, 11 miles (18 km) north of Courtenay, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, is a member of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. On 30 December 1934, a group of seventeen Christians began plans for the formation of what was to become the Black Creek Mennonite Brethren Church. The decision was formalized 6 January 1935, with 34 members under the leadership of Franz Friesen, who served as the first pastor. After considerable discussion, the name Merville Mennonite Brethren Church was chosen, since, at that time, Merville, British Columbia was the closest post office. However, as of a 1 February 1937 meeting, the official name was changed to Black Creek Mennonite Brethren Church. During this same meeting, members also decided to seek affiliation with the British Columbia and Canadian Conferences of Mennonite Brethren Churches.

Land for a building site was donated by a Mr. Goertzen and Henry Falk, and a five-dollar per member levy also helped cover costs. The building was dedicated December 1937, and with a 150 seating capacity, served the church until 1953. At this time a new structure, seating about 200 people, was built almost entirely with volunteer labour. The new building was dedicated 11 April 1954 with J. F. Redekop and Johannes A. Harder as guest speakers.

In 1960, the congregation hired Johannes A. Harder as its first paid pastor - John A. Goerz had been the first paid minister. Harder served the church for three years, helping it through a difficult transition to English-language services. 

A foyer section with additional Sunday school classes was added in the summer of 1966, and, in 1973, a two storey educational wing was added.

Bibliography

Additional Information

Address: 7898 Island Highway, Black Creek BC  V9J 1G5

Phone: 250-337-5423

Denominational Affiliations:

British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1935-present)

Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1935-present)

General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches of North America (1935-2002)

Black Creek MB Ministers

Minister	Years
Jacob Falk	1940-1942
John A. Goerz	1942-1956
Jacob B. Falk	1956-1960
Jacob Schoenke	1940-1960
Cornelius Thiessen	1956-1960
Bernard Falk	1956-1960
Alvin Philippsen	1956-1960
Abert Wedel	1956-1960
Johannes A. Harder	1960-1963
John E. Klassen	1963-1974
Albert Durksen	1975-1980
John Falk	1981-1985
Alvin Philippsen	1985-1986
Barry Falk	1987-present

Black Creek MB Membership

Year	Membership
1950	52
1965	91
1975	82
1985	75
1995	128
2000	163

 

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 351. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

©1996-2009 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.

MLA style: Goerz, John A. and Hugo Friesen. "Black Creek Mennonite Brethren Church (Black Creek, British Columbia, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 2006. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 21 November 2009 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/B547.html>

APA style: Goerz, John A. and Hugo Friesen. (2006). "Black Creek Mennonite Brethren Church (Black Creek, British Columbia, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 21 November 2009 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/B547.html>