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Waldheim, Sask.
Brotherfield MB Church honoured with memorial chapel


A threat of rain did not keep a group of about 100 people from gathering Sunday, June 9 for the dedication of a memorial chapel in honour of a former Mennonite Brethren church near Waldheim, Sask. On this cloudy, windy afternoon, they came to reflect on God’s goodness in the past and to remember Brotherfield MB Church.

A group made up of former members of the Brotherfield congregation helped build the memorial chapel. It was the first time that a group of Mennonite Brethren has ever constructed a chapel as a memorial.

One of the first Mennonite Brethren congregations in Canada, the Brotherfield congregation began in 1900, but was not formally organized until a year later. The congregation consisted of immigrants from Minnesota and South Dakota. Leadership was under Isaac Neufeld. This congregation later helped form Waldheim MB Church. However, over the years the Brotherfield congregation began experiencing a declining attendance. In fall 1988, the Brotherfield congregation held their last service and joined Waldheim MB Church. The building was later sold and moved to Martensville, Sask., where it was renovated into a house.

In July 2001, a group of former Brotherfielders, consisting of Sam Willems, Albert and Adeline Willems, Walter and Beth Willems, Art Thiessen, Vic Willems, and David and Laurena Bergen, gathered to discuss plans to build a memorial chapel on the former site of the church and the cemetery. The purpose of the chapel was to be a place to remember, reflect and be renewed. The group called themselves the Brotherfield Church Historical Society. Waldheim MB Church was told of the idea, and the church gave the group its blessings and said they could have the old pulpit which had the inscriptions Hoeren und Bewahren (Hear and Keep) and Vertraue den Herrn (Trust the Lord). Plans for the chapel were drawn up. Construction was initially estimated at $7,000, but later raised to $10,000 to include commercially made windows, a bell tower and a steeple. Construction began October 1, 2001. Work halted during the winter and was restarted April 18.

Albert Willems, chair of the Brotherfield Church Historical Society, led the dedication service. Walter Willems led the singing. David Bergen gave a report on the background, finances, construction and purpose of the chapel. Comments and dedication prayers were given by Sam Willems and Clarence Peters, pastor of Waldheim MB Church. A time of fellowship followed.

 – pjw, adapted and condensed from a report by David Bergen

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Last modified July 19, 2002.

© 2002 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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