922 Notre Dame Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0M9. (204) 772-2419. Minister Franz Wiebe, Herman Dueck and Mark Von Kampen served in 2001 as congregational leaders. In 1965 there were 1367 members; in 1975, 1211; in 1985, 1450; in 1995, 1331; in 2000, 1280. The congregation has been affiliated with Mennonite Church Manitoba (1967-), Conference of Mennonites in Canada / Mennonite Church Canada (1926-), and General Conference Mennonite Church (1929-1999). The language of worship is English and German; the transition from German began in the 1960s.

First Mennonite Church in the early 1950s. Click on picture for 15 kb JPG image.
Canadian Mennonite photo.

The congregation began services and formally organized in 1926. The first building was occupied in 1949 and 1950. Bishop Johann P. Klassen is considered the founding leader of the group. The congregation originated through immigration from the Soviet Union.

Joined with Starbuck Mennonite in 1926 and became known as Schoenwiese. The congregation became known as First Mennonite in 1951.

Sometimes First Mennonite is considered the mother church of the Schoenwiese, although this is not really accurate. The Schoenwiese Gemeinde was a collection of churches with no parent congregation.

Bibliography

Additional Information

First Mennonite Church (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)

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