The Laird Mennonite Brethren Church in Laird, Saskatchewan, started in 1898 with approximately 60 members. It was under the leadership of Jacob B. Wiens. Apparently it was the first organized Mennonite Brethren church in Saskatchewan. The meetinghouse was first built in the country in 1899 and later moved into town. Men who served as ministers and leaders of the church during its first six decades were Jacob B. Wiens, Elder David Dyck, P. A. Penner, D. D. P. Epp, Jacob Wieler, J. B. Fischer, and Henry Speiser. The 1954 membership was 47.

The congregation dissolved in 1973. It had been affiliated with the Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1946-1973), Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1910-1973) and General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1903-1973). The language of worship was English; the transition from German occurred in 1950-55.

Ebenfeld was also known as Laird Mennonite Brethren; the church was moved to Laird in 1911.

Ebenfeld joined Waldheim Mennonite Brethren in 1973. A cairn has been erected on the site of the former church in Laird. The original cemetery still exists at Ebenfeld four miles east of Laird.

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, pp. 268-269. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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