The Vauxhall Mennonite Brethren congregation near Vauxhall, Alberta began services in 1933, and formally organized in 1934 with a membership of 44. The first building was occupied in 1937, with subsequent building programs in 1949 and 1984. Peter Langemann is considered the founding leader of the group. The congregation originated through colonization from Saskatchewan and elsewhere in Alberta.

The Vauxhall area was attractive to settlers because it offered opportunities for irrigation and there were numerous farms available to rent and later buy.

On 17 June 1940 the church building was destroyed by fire by arsonists as an expression of anti-German feeling occasionally directed at the Mennonites during World War II. The Vauxhall Mennonite Church (GCM) was burned the same night. The basement for a new church was completed in 1941 and used for services. The building was completed in 1949.

In 1965 there were 83 members; in 1985, 152; in 1995, 102; in 2000, 112. The congregation has been affiliated with the Alberta Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1934-), the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1934-) and the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1934-2002). The language of worship is English; the transition from German occurred in the 1960s.

The church conducted its own Bible school 1937-43. Vauxhall Mennonite Brethren planted a daughter church in the community of Hays in April 1987.

The congregation's address is Box 75, Vauxhall, AB, T0K 2K0. (403) 654-4282. The church is located 7 km north, 2 km east of Vauxhall. Pastor Bill Glasspell served in 2000 as a congregational leader.

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 799. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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