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Kitchener, Ont.
Kitchener MB Church marks 75 years

Sketch of Kitchener MB Church.

During October, Kitchener (Ont.) Mennonite Brethren Church held a series of celebrations commemorating God’s goodness to the church over the past 75 years. The Anniversary Committee, consisting of Ed Boldt, Elvira Froese, Laurie Galpin, John Wall and pastor Grant Gordon, placed a “symbolic road” around the walls of the sanctuary. It was divided into yearly sections, pastors’ names were placed above the dates showing when they served at the church

Henry H. Dick of California rides in an antique car during Kitchener MB Church’s 75th anniversary celebrations.

and church members placed memorable photos at various intervals along the “road”.

On the first Sunday in the month, the guest speaker was Henry H. Dick of California. He was a native of Kitchener and was ordained at this church. His message focused on “Thanksgiving”, but also had a sub-theme, “Celebrating the Places” where God had met with this congregation.

Themes at subsequent services included “Salvation’s stories”, which highlighted growth; “Membership growth through migration and immigration”; “Our ministries”, which focused on both past and present church ministries from Christian education to prayer groups; and “Missions” celebration, which highlighted local women’s missionary groups to youth mission trips.

During these special services, which included a dessert evening, special music and testimonies interspersed the activities.

Kitchener MB Church had its beginnings May 25, 1925 when 18 people met in the home of Jacob Wiens. Shortly thereafter, the congregation met in Bethany Mennonite Church. In 1926, the congregation rented a facility in Kitchener. A building was purchased September 30, 1935. Henry H. Janzen, pastor of the church at that the time, emphasized mission and evangelism. Frank C. Peters served as pastor of the congregation in the 1950s. In 1953, the church was re-located to a larger facility on Ottawa Street. In 1960, the church began a Sunday school mission in Waterloo, Ont., which developed into Waterloo MB Church. In 1988, Glencairn MB Church, another daughter church of Kitchener MB Church, was begun in a new subdivision of Kitchener.

 – Ed Boldt

Current sanctuary of Kitchener MB Church.

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Last modified December 11, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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