The congregation began services in 1855 as a preaching appointment of the New Mennonite Conference, and formally organized in 1877. The first building was constructed in 1878 on a corner lot of the Wendell and nancy Hallman farm, 1.5 km north and 1.5 km west of New Dundee. The first service was held Christmas Day, 1878. At this time the congregation was of the United Mennonite Conference, the result of a merger of the New Mennonites and Reforming Mennonites. After two other mergers, the conference in 1883 was known as the Mennonite Brethren in Christ.

Initially in the new building worship services were held every other Sunday, with Sunday school every Sunday. In 1921 the congregation decided to move into the town of New Dundee on a lot next to the parsonage on Bridge Street that had been purchased in 1891. The dedication of the new building took place on 6 November 1921.

In 1954 the congregation agreed to plant a new church in Plattsville in a vacant Baptist Church; the renovated church was dedicated in 1956. In 1966 the need for expansion was again felt. Since the present church lot was too small, a new building was erected at the present location on Bridge Street. This was completed in 1968.

In 1900 there were 159 members; in 1925, 204; in 1950, 156; in 1975, 177; in 1985, 187; in 1995, 176. The congregation has been affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren in Christ (1883-1947), the United Missionary Church (1947-1969), The Missionary Church (1969-1993) and the Evangelical Missionary Church (1993-). The language of worship is English; the transition from German occurred in the 1870s. In 2009 the pastor was Graham Burkhart.

Bibliography

Additional Information

Address: 1531 Bridge Street, New Dundee, Ontario

Phone: 519-696-2284

Website: Bethel Evangelical Missionary Church

Denominational Affiliation: Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada

Pastors at Bethel, 1877-1978

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 315. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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