Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)
The Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren congregation began services in 1935, and formally organized organized on 27 December 1935, with 24 members. The first building was occupied in 1940, with a subsequent building program in 1957. George Rempel is considered the founding leader of the group. The congregation originated through immigration from the Soviet Union and colonization from the Canadian prairies. The congregation was known as North Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren prior to 1957.
In 1950 there were 238 members; in 1965, 625; in 1975, 711; in 1985, 594; in 1993, 516; in 2000 408. The congregation has been affiliated with the British Columbia Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Churches, Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches and General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. The language of worship is English and German.
Leaders up to 1957 included George Doerksen, C. C. Peters, and J. J. Doerksen; assistant ministers during that time included George Rempel, D. P. Esau, C. C. Peters, G. P. Warkentin, J. J. Doerksen, J. P. Wiebe, A. A. Toews, A. H. Wieler, and G. Giesbrecht.
The church's address is 2719 Clearbrook Rd., Abbotsford, BC, V2T 2Y9. (604) 850-6607. Pastor Heinz Ratzlaff served in 2002 as a congregational leader.
Bibliography
Mennonite Encyclopedia, "Clearbrook," "North Abbotsford"
Mennonite Brethren Herald (27 May 1988): 23; (22 November 1996): 18-19.
Canadian Mennonite (10 August 1956): 3; (19 April 1957): 1; (26 June 1959): 13; (24 November 1961): 14.
Rattlaff, Erich L., ed., A History of the Clearbrook MB Church, 1936-1986. Clearbrook, B.C., 1986: 112 pp.
Additional Information
©1996-2008 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.
To cite this page:
MLA style: Doerksen, J. J. and Marlene Epp. "Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. January 1989. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 15 May 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/C564.html>
APA style: Doerksen, J. J. and Marlene Epp. (January 1989). "Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 15 May 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/C564.html>
