Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church (Winkler, Manitoba, Canada)
The Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite congregation in Winkler, MB began services in 1895. The first building was occupied in 1895, with subsequent building programs in 1947 and 1970. Jacob M. Wiens is considered the founding leader of the group. The congregation originated through imigration from Russia.
Winkler is the largest Bergthaler center; this congregation replaced the first Bergthaler church at Hoffnungsfeld.
In 1965 there were 475 members; in 1975, 685; in 1985, 980; in 1995, 868; in 2000, 813. The congregation has been affiliated with the Conference of Mennonites in Manitoba, Conference of Mennonites in Canada (1903-), and General Conference Mennonite Church (1974-). The language of worship is English and German; the transition from German occurred in the 1970s.
The congregation's address is Box 1207, Winkler, MB, R6W 4B2. (204) 325-9563. The church is located at 252 6th St. Pastor Arnie Neufeld served in 2002 as a congregational leader.
Bibliography
Canadian Mennonite (3 July 1970): 3.
Mennonite Reporter (4 September 1972): 10, (8 July 1996): 10.
Gerbrandt, H. J. Adventure in Faith. Altona, MB: Bergthaler Mennonite Church of Manitoba, 1970, 379 pp.
Friesen, David. Journey of Faith: Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church, 1895-1995. Winkler, MB, 1995.
Brown, Frank. A History of the Town of Winkler, Manitoba. 1973: 165-175.
Elias, Ron. "History of the Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church." Research paper, Canadian Mennonite Bible College, 1979, 13 pp. Mennonite Heritage Centre.
Klassen, John P. "Growth Study of the Winkler Bergthaler Church." Research paper, Canadian Mennonite Bible College, 1980, 79 pp. Mennonite Heritage Centre.
Church records at Mennonite Heritage Centre.
Additional Information
©1996-2012 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.
MLA style: Epp, Marlene. "Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church (Winkler, Manitoba, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. February 1989. Web. 24 May 2012. http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/W565.html.
APA style: Epp, Marlene. (February 1989). Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church (Winkler, Manitoba, Canada). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 24 May 2012, from http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/W565.html.
