Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Church (Watrous, Saskatchewan, Canada)
The Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren congregation in Watrous, SK began services and formally organized in 1927. Services were held in an old school building beginning in 1927. In 1929 twenty-one charter members formed the nucleus of the church. The church was received into the Canadian M.B. Conference in 1936 under the leadership of Peter Janzen. In 1937 the church had a membership of 135. A church building was completed in 1949, and in 1975 a new church was built.
Philadelphia was previously known as Watrous Mennonite Brethren. It affiliated with Evangelical Mennonite Brethren until 1932. Early members had been part of the Allianz Gemeinde in Russia.
In 1965 there were 72 members; in 1975, 120; in 1985, 120; in 1994, 99; in 2000, 101. The congregation has been affiliated with the Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1932-), the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1932-) and the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1932-). The language of worship is English; the transition from German occurred in the 1960s.
Pastoral leaders have included Peter Janzen (1937-1942, 1954), Franz Wiens (1943), Jacob D. Dick (1944-1950, 1952-1953), Paul Rogalsky (1951), J.J. Wiens (1955-1956), Dan Klassen (1957), H.H. Thiessen (1959-1963), A.H. Dueck (1964-1967), H.M. Toews (1975), Victor Nickel (1969-), Henry Warkentin (1976-1981, 1985-1989), Dick Hill (1981-1982), P.R. Toews (1983-1984), Peter Laurie (1990-1993), no pastor (1994) and Ernie Bergen (1995-2000), Darren Holland (1999- )
The congregation meets at 102 - 5th Ave. W., Watrous, SK, S0K 4T0. (306) 946-3785. It is located 16 km northeast of Watrous.
Bibliography
Mennonite Encyclopedia, "Watrous."
Mennonite Brethren Herald (27 May 1988): 67.
Toews, John A. A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church: Pilgrims and Pioneers. Fresno, CA, 1975: 163.
Additional Information
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To cite this page:
MLA style: Epp, Marlene. "Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Church (Watrous, Saskatchewan, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. February 1989. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 24 July 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/P51.html>
APA style: Epp, Marlene. (February 1989). "Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Church (Watrous, Saskatchewan, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 24 July 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/P51.html>
