The Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba began in the late 1940s through the efforts of the Mission Board of the Conference of Mennonites in Canada to help recent Mennonite refugees from Russia. The first worship service was led by Minister Jacob Toews on 11 September 1949. The congregation was first called the Winnipeg Mennoniten Stadtmission. It was renamed Winnipeg Mennonite Mission church in 1950, and became Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church in 1955.

The Sargent Avenue Mennonite congregation in Winnipeg began services in 1949, and formally organized in 1950. The first building was occupied in 1951, with a subsequent building program in 1960. Jacob Toews is considered the founding leader of the group. The congregation originated through urbanization from rural Manitoba and immigration.

In 1950 there were 45 members; in 1965, 428; in 1975, 437; in 1985, 490; in 1995, 478; in 2000, 439; in 2005, 378. The congregation has been affiliated with the Conference of Mennonites in Manitoba/Mennonite Church Manitoba, the Conference of Mennonites in Canada / Mennonite Church Canada (1950-) and the General Conference Mennonite Church (1956-1999). The language of worship in 2006 was predominantly English. At that time a half-hour German worship service preceded the English service.

Jacob Toews was elected as the Aeltester in 1952 and served as the leading minister until 1958.  The following also served as leading ministers: Gerhard Lohrenz (1958-1971); Jake Harms (1971-1986); Arthur Fast (interim, 1986-1987); Martin Sawatzky (1987-1990); Bernhard Sawatzky (interim, 1990-1992 and 1995-1996); Isaac Block (1992-1995), Jacob F. Pauls (interim, 1996-1997); Victor Kliewer (interim during Sabbatical, 2003-2004) and Edwin Epp (1997-).  The congregation was blessed with lay ministers who served alongside pastoral staff. Marla Langelotz (1999- ) and Ruth Epp (2000- ) served as Assistant Pastors. 

The congregation's address is 926 Garfield St., Winnipeg, MB, R3E 2N6. (204) 786-1006. 

Bibliography

Additional Information

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 422-423. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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