The congregation began services in July 1944 under the auspices of the Conference of Mennonites in Alberta. The work was taken over by the General Conference in 1945, and the congregation was formally organized in 1946. The first building was occupied in 1945, with a subsequent building program in 1957. John J. Sawatzky is considered the founding leader of the group. The congregation originated through urbanization from rural Alberta.

The congregation was originally known as Scarboro Mennonite Mission when it occupied the building of the former Scarboro United Church, purchased in 1945. In 1948 a girl's home was established in the home of the pastor, which continued to operate until 1955. Also in 1955 the congregation became independent. It became First Mennonite in 1957. The 1950s and 1960s were times of internal power struggles and conflict over the language issue. The older, original residents were interested in making a transition to English whereas recent post-World War II immigrants wanted to retain the German. Consequently First Mennonite lost members to Foothills Mennonite over the language issue. The congregation grew out of the services being held at the Maedchenheim located in Calgary.

The leaders of the congregation have been: J. J. Sawatzky (1944-1958, 1961-1962), Peter Heidebrecht (1958-1960, 1963-1966, 1969), Hans Kroeger (1967-1968), Jacob Wiebe (1970-1992), Herman Walde (1993-1994), George Janzen (1995-1997), Ken Bechtel (September 1997-August 2000), Trevor Ens (2001).

In 1947 there were 28 charter members; in 1950, 37; in 1955, 166; in 1957, 188; in 1965, 206; in 1975, 260; in 1985, 324; in 1986, 339; in 1995, 288; in 2000, 244. The congregation has been affiliated with Mennonite Church Alberta (1950-    ), Conference of Mennonites in Canada / Mennonite Church Canada (1946-    ) and General Conference Mennonite Church (1947-1999). The language of worship is English and German; the transition from German occurred in the 1960s.

Location: 2600 Richmond Rd. SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 4M3. (403) 249-8784. Located in the southwest end of the city, in the community of Glengarry.

Bibliography

Additional Information

First Mennonite Church Calgary

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 437. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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