Springstein Mennonite Church (Springstein, Manitoba, Canada)
The Springstein Mennonite congregation at Springstein, MB began services in 1924, and was formally organized on 17 October 1938 by 17 families of the Schoewieser congregation living in Springstein. Initially these immigrants met to worship in rented facilities. In 1938 they also completed a meeting place. They became part of the Schönwieser group of churches until they became independent in 1941 and elected and ordained their own bishop. William H. Enns is considered the founding leader of the group. The congregation originated through immigration from the Soviet Union.
The group worshipped together with the Mennonite Brethren in the early years until each built its own meetingplace. The group was originally part of Schoenwiese group in Winnipeg.
In 1950 there were 156 members; in 1965, 202; in 1975, 159; in 1985, 194; in 1995, 185; in 2000, 129. The congregation has been affiliated with the Conference of Mennonites in Manitoba, Conference of Mennonites in Canada (1939-) and General Conference Mennonite Church (1947-). The language of worship is English and German; the transition from German occurred in the 1960s.
The congregation founded Assiniboine Mennonite Mission Camp in 1949 near Headingly. They were also a part of the group which founded the Canadian Mennonite Bible College in the 1940s.
The congregation's pastoral leaders included 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-), Steve Plenert (2005-).
The congregation's address is Box 38, Springstein, MB, R0G 2N0. (204) 735-2758. The church is located at Lot 26, Queen St.
Bibliography
Canadian Mennonite (22 August 1958): 8.
Dyck, J. P. Das 25-Jaehrige Jubilaeum der Springsteiner Mennoniten-Gemeinde, 1938-1963. Springstein: Springstein Mennonite Church, 1963, 60 pp.
Deininger, Margot. "The Historical Development of the Springstein Mennonite Church." Research paper, Canadian Mennonite Bible College, 1985, 15 pp. Mennonite Heritage Centre.
Additional Information
©1996-2008 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.
To cite this page:
MLA style: Enns, William H. and Marlene Epp. "Springstein Mennonite Church (Springstein, Manitoba, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. September 1986. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 08 September 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/S6925ME.html>
APA style: Enns, William H. and Marlene Epp. (September 1986). "Springstein Mennonite Church (Springstein, Manitoba, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 08 September 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/S6925ME.html>
