The Carson Mennonite Brethren Church in Cottonwood County, Minnesota, was organized by six families on 11 June 1877, under the leadership of Heinrich Voth. In 1879 the church joined the Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Church of North America. The first meetinghouse was constructed in 1885 near a scenic creek about three miles (five km) north of Bingham Lake. Because members living in and south of Mountain Lake could not attend regularly, another meetinghouse was built about five miles (eight km) south of Mountain Lake. Elder Voth served as pastor of both churches until 1918, when he moved to Canada. In 1893 the church at Bingham Lake, now known as the Carson Church, erected a new building. A. J. Wiebe, who was elected in 1899 and later ordained as a minister, served as pastor of the church from 1918 to 1941. He was succeeded by B. J. Braun, who served until 1945, when Wm. Neufeld became his successor. Others who assisted in the ministry were Johann Wiens, Peter H. Ewert, H. S. Voth, Henry E. Wiens, David Hooge, John H. Wiens, and J. D. Wiens. The work of foreign missions has been stressed throughout the history of the church. In 1896 Henry and Maria Ensz left for Africa. John H. and Maria Voth sailed for India in 1908. In 1927 John A. and Viola Wiebe proceeded to India. Edna Gerdes also went to India in 1946. Other workers labored among the Indian tribes of North America. In 1949 the church moved to a new location in Delft, where a building measuring 84 x 32 ft., with a seating capacity of 350, was dedicated on 13 March. In 1953 the membership of the church was  164. The church closed in 2005.

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 521. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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