The River East Mennonite Brethren congregation in Winnipeg, Manitoba began services in 1962, and formally organized in 1963. It started when Jacob Ens befriended Japanese families and began Sunday School classes for the children because they did not know German -- the language of all the Mennonite Brethren churches in the area. The classes grew and soon the parents requested that worship services be held. Initially services were held in a school and the group was known as the Princess Margaret Fellowship. In 1962, the leadership committee was asked if it was possible to organize a church. Many people in the congregation were part of the North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church. Five couples from the mother church were released to organize this new congregation.

In 1963, the congregation had a chartering service and renamed themselves the Springfield Heights Mennonite Brethren Church. In 1964, Sunday School was held in the school for the last time before moving to their new building. To avoid confusion with the Springfield Heights Mennonite Church, the name changed in 1964 to McLeod Avenue Mennonite Brethren and later that same year to River East Mennonite Brethren.

Bibliography

Additional Information

Address: 755 McLeod Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2K 0B8

Telephone: 204-663-5096

Website: River East Mennonite Brethren Church

Denominational Affiliations:

Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba (1963-present)

Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1963-present)

General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1963-2002)

River East MB Church Ministers

River East MB Church Membership

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