©Mennonite Heritage Centre 2002
Last updated April 17, 2002

Mennonite Heritage Centre
Winnipeg, Manitoba


Title: Selkirk Christian Fellowship fonds
Dates: 1955-1993
Extent: 72 cm of textual records
Extent: 169 photographs
Extent: 30 hours of sound records

Historical note

The Selkirk Christian Fellowship traces its origins back to 1966 when it was established in order to accomodate a group of families who had come in contact with the Mennonite Pioneer Mission (later called Native Ministries) in Northern Manitoba. Several of the families had relocated to Selkirk where they asked Mennonite church leaders to work with them in organizing a church that would enable them to continue to participate in the kind of worship service that they had experienced with the Mennonite Pioneer Mission. Orville and Katie Anders coordinated the group's first meetings which were held in the home of Hannes and Winnie Bell. In June 1967, services began to be held in the building at 173 Main Street, which the fellowship rented from the Church of the Nazarene. This property was purchased in November, 1967, and Jake M. Unrau, a former missionary in Loon Straits, Manitoba, became the congregation's first official pastor. Other pastors who served the church were: Jake and Helen Wiebe, 1972-1977, Malcolm and Esther and Wenger, 1978-1985, Jake and Martha Bergman, 1985-1987, and Isaac and Margaret Froese, 1987-1991. Associates included Jim Brown, Dave Maxwell, Paul Schroeder, and Terry Widrick. Until 1982, the congregation was known as "Elim Christian Fellowship." At the time of incorporation, the name was changed to "Selkirk Christian Fellowship" since the former name conflicted with that of a previously registered church. Due to a general decline in attendance and interest, and a desire on the part of many Native and Metis peoples to find "a Christian faith fabric that identified more closely with their historic and traditional roots," the church was dissolved at the end of February, 1993. The church property and other assets were transferred to Native Ministries which had actively supported the church throughout its time of operation.

Scope and content note

This fonds consists of sixteen series: 1) annual reports, 1968-1992 2) Bulletins, 1968-1993 3) Minutes of planning meetings, 1968-1993 4) Correspondence, 1967-1974, 1976, 1977-1993 5) Membership records, 1970-1986 6) Church founding and operation, 1967-1993 7) Christian education, 1976-1988 8) Youth activities, 1978-1990 9) Leadership training, 1973-1991 10) Deacons' records, 1982-1990 11) Ladies' Group, 1959-1993 12) Church schedules, 1980-1992 13) Clippings and events, 1968-1992 14) Selkirk Christian Fellowship related organizations, 1969-1990 15) Photograph collection, 1955-1986 16) Audio recordings of worship services and other church events, 1982-1987.

Finding aids

Finding aid consists of a series description with an inventory file list. Photographs and cassette recordings are described at an item level.

Notes

Custodial history

This collection was obtained by the Mennonite Heritage Centre Archives from Ike Froese in August, 1993.

Arrangement

Arranged and described by Stephanie Heidenreich in June 1997

Restrictions on access

no restrictions on access

Other notes

Accession No. 93-166

Selkirk Christian Fellowship annual reports. - 1968-1992. - 4 cm of textual records.

This series consists of the reports submitted at the annual congregational meeting. The files for 1970 and 1973 contain only the financial records.

Title based on the contents.

Location: Volume 4532: 1-25

Selkirk Christian Fellowship bulletins. - 1968-1993. - 16 cm of textual records.

This series consists of the weekly bulletins which outline the order of worship service and which contain notices and other announcements. The bulletins were distributed on a monthly basis from 1968 to mid-1972 and from mid-1991 to 1993.

Title based on the contents.

Location: Volume 4532: 26-51

Selkirk Christian Fellowship planning meetings. - 1968, 1972-1973, 1977-1993. - 5 cm of textual records.

This series consists of the minutes of the church planning meetings. The pastor's reports presented at the meetings are included in this file.

Title based on the contents.

Location: Volume 4532: 52-71

Selkirk Christian Fellowship correspondence. - 1967-1993. - 5 cm of textual records.

This series consists of correspondence addressed to the congregation and to specific members of the church. It also includes copies of correspondence sent from the church.

Title based on the contents.

Location: Volume 4532: 72-79

Selkirk Christian Fellowship membership records. - 1970-1986. - 6 cm of textual records.

This series consists of the addresses and telephone listings of church members and attendance records for worship services and Sunday school including the guest books signed by visitors. It includes a marriage register, other marriage records, membership transfer records and some burial permits as well as several testimonies given by church members and church member profiles and verbatims recorded by the minister. The membership profiles and verbatims are in a restricted file.

Title based on the contents.

Location: 4532: 81-84

4534 (marriage register)

Selkirk Christian Fellowship church founding and operation. - 1967-1993. - 2 cm of textual records.

This series consists of documents related to the purchase of the church property, its constitution and bylaws, its incorporation, and rental agreements regarding the church facilities. There are also materials pertaining to the dissolution of the Selkirk Christian Fellowship, monographs describing the church and its history, statistical reports prepared for the General Conference of Mennonites in Canada, and records of the agreements between the congregation and its pastor.

Title based on the contents.

Location: Volume 4533: 1-8

Selkirk Christian Fellowship Christian education records. - 1976-1988. - 4 cm of textual records.

This series consists of the reports, correspondence and minutes of meetings of the Christian education committee. There are schedules indicating the person responsible for the different Sunday School classes, as well as attendance records, schedules and minutes of meetings relating to the Summer Bible School. There is also a proposal and outline for a discipleship course.

Title based on the contents.

Location: Volume 4533: 9-12

Selkirk Christian Fellowship youth program records. - 1978-1990. - 2 cm of textual records.

This series consists of materials related to the church's youth group including a survey, correspondence, lists of participating youth, and minutes of the youth planning meetings. There are schedules of the activities undertaken by the youth group and materials related to the Native Minister's Youth Camp (1986).

Title based on the contents.

Location: Volume 4533: 13-15

Selkirk Christian Fellowship Leadership Training program records. - 1973-1991. - 3 cm of textual records.

This series consists of correspondence and reports pertaining to Native leadership training, and the minutes of a meeting that discussed the issue. There are proposals, correspondence, and reports related to an internship program, and documentation of Cara and Terry Widrick's pastoral internship including reports, correspondence, clippings, and articles and sermons written by the Widricks.

Title based on the contents.

Location: Volume 4533: 16-18

Selkirk Christian Fellowship deacon's records. - 1982-1990. - 2 cm of textual records.

This series consists of the minutes and related material for the deacons' work in the church.

Title based on the contents.

Location: Volume 4533: 19-20

Selkirk Christian Fellowship Ladies' Group records. - 1959-1993. - 1 cm of textual records.

This series consists of reports, notes on planning meetings, correspondence, membership lists, and financial records related to the Ladies' Group.

Title based on the contents.

Location: Volume 4533: 21

Selkirk Christian Fellowship church-related schedules. -1980-1992. - 1 cm of textual records.

This series consists of monthly calendars that describe upcoming church events. There are music schedules and lists of volunteers for cleaning the church building.

Title based on the contents.

Location: Volume 4533: 22-23

Clippings and events related to the Selkirk Christian Fellowship. - 1968-1992. - 5 cm of textual records.

This series consists of materials that describe the Selkirk Christian Fellowship's social programs and special events. It includes newspaper clippings, event programs, invoices, correspondence, and brochures. Some of the files pertain to the Selkirk Restitution/Reconciliation Committee, the Selkirk Christian Fellowship Christmas programs, Rev. Jake Wiebe, the Selkirk Christian Fellowship's 20th and 25th anniversary celebrations, the Every Home Plan, a preparation course for marriage and Christian family living, the Selkirk Cooperative on Abuse Against Women, and Alcoholics Victorious. A sampling of artwork rendered by members of the congregation is also included.

Title based on the contents.

Location: Volume 4533: 24-30

Selkirk Christian Fellowship related organizations. - 1969-1990. - 11.5 cm of textual records.

This series consist of the files created in the course of the church's life as it related to the local Christian community as well as the larger church community. Included are files for the Community Ministries Board of Selkirk, Native Ministries of the Conference of Mennonites in Canada, Manitoba Inter-Faith Council, Red River/ Selkirk and District Ministerial, Selkirk Friendship Centre, Mennonite Brethren church planting, and several other organizations.

Title based on the contents.

Location: Volume 4533: 31-46

Selkirk Christian Fellowship worship services and celebrations. - 1982-1987. - 30 hours of sound records.

This series consists of sound recordings of worship sevices, church celebrations, and other events.

Title based on the contents.

Location: Cassette Tape volumes 1812-1831

Selkirk Christian Fellowship photograph collection. - 1955-1968. - 169 photographs.

This series depicts various members of the congregation as well as church-related events including Sunday school, weddings and baptisms, worship services and celebrations, and picnics. There is extensive coverage of the Selkirk Christian Fellowship's 20th Anniversary celebration. Also included are photographs taken in northern Manitoban communities (1955-1973). A series description is located with the collection.

Title based on the contents.

Location: Photograph collection volume 493


Selkirk Christian Fellowship fonds file list:

 

Volume 4532

Annual Reports

  1. Annual report. - 1968.
  2. Annual report. - 1969.
  3. Annual report (financial records only). - 1970.
  4. Annual report. - 1971.
  5. Annual report. - 1972.
  6. Annual report (financial records only). - 1973.
  7. Annual report. - 1974.
  8. Annual report. - 1975.
  9. Annual report. - 1976.
  10. Annual report. - 1977.
  11. Annual report. - 1978.
  12. Annual report. - 1979.
  13. Annual report. - 1980.
  14. Annual report. - 1981.
  15. Annual report. - 1982.
  16. Annual report. - 1983.
  17. Annual report. - 1984.
  18. Annual report. - 1985.
  19. Annual report. - 1986.
  20. Annual report. - 1987.
  21. Annual report. - 1988.
  22. Annual report. - 1989.
  23. Annual report. - 1990.
  24. Annual report. - 1991.
  25. Annual report. - 1992.
  26. Bulletins

  27. Bulletins. - 1968.
  28. Bulletins. - 1969.
  29. Bulletins. - 1970.
  30. Bulletins. - 1971.
  31. Bulletins. - 1972.
  32. Bulletins. - 1973.
  33. Bulletins. - 1974.
  34. Bulletins. - 1975.
  35. Bulletins. - 1976.
  36. Bulletins. - 1977.
  37. Bulletins. - 1978.
  38. Bulletins. - 1979.
  39. Bulletins. - 1980.
  40. Bulletins. - 1981.
  41. Bulletins. - 1982.
  42. Bulletins. - 1983.
  43. Bulletins. - 1984.
  44. Bulletins. - 1985.
  45. Bulletins. - 1986.
  46. Bulletins. - 1987.
  47. Bulletins. - 1988.
  48. Bulletins. - 1989.
  49. Bulletins. - 1990.
  50. Bulletins. - 1991.
  51. Bulletins. - 1992.
  52. Bulletins. - 1993.
  53. Planning Meetings

  54. Planning meetings. - 1973.
  55. Planning meetings. - 1974.
  56. Planning meetings. - 1975.
  57. Planning meetings. - 1976.
  58. Planning meetings. - 1977.
  59. Planning meetings. - 1978.
  60. Planning meetings. - 1979.
  61. Planning meetings. - 1980.
  62. Planning meetings. - 1981.
  63. Planning meetings. - 1982.
  64. Planning meetings. - 1983.
  65. Planning meetings. - 1984.
  66. Planning meetings. - 1985.
  67. Planning meetings. - 1986.
  68. Planning meetings. - 1987.
  69. Planning meetings. - 1988.
  70. Planning meetings. - 1989.
  71. Planning meetings. - 1990.
  72. Planning meetings. - 1991.
  73. Planning meetings. - 1992.
  74. Correspondence

  75. Correspondence. - 1967-1968.
  76. Correspondence. - 1969.
  77. Correspondence. - 1970.
  78. Correspondence. - 1971-1974.
  79. Correspondence. - 1977-1981.
  80. Correspondence. - 1982-1983.
  81. Correspondence. - 1984-1985.
  82. Correspondence. - 1986-1993.
  83. Selkirk Christian Fellowship Membership Records

  84. Address and telephone listings, and worship service and Sunday school attendance records. - 1970-1986.

Volume 4533

  1. Marriage records. - 1969-1985.
  2. Membership transfer records and burial permits. - 1968-1985.
  3. Membership profiles and verbatims. - 1983-1984.
  4. Guest books. - 1963-1991.
  5. Church Founding and Operation

  6. Church property purchase and improvement. - 1968-1982.
  7. Selkirk Christian Fellowship constitution and by-laws. - 1980-1982.
  8. Incorporation of Selkirk Christian Fellowship. - 1980-1984.
  9. Rental agreements regarding Selkirk Christian Fellowship facilities. - 1992-1993.
  10. Dissolution of Selkirk Christian Fellowship. - 1992-1993.
  11. Monographs describing Selkirk Christian Fellowship and its history. - 1967-1985.
  12. Selkirk Christian Fellowship statistical reports. - 1968-1991.
  13. Agreements between Selkirk Christian Fellowship and its pastor. - 1982-1991.
  14. Christian Education

  15. Christian Education Committee. - 1979-1988.
  16. Christian Education Schedules. - 1978-1987.
  17. Summer Bible School. - 1976-1988.
  18. Discipleship course. - 1983.
  19. Youth Organizations and Activities

  20. Youth group materials. - 1978-1990.
  21. Youth group activity schedules. - 1981-1984.
  22. Native Ministers' Teen Camp. - 1986.
  23. Leadership Training Programs

  24. Leadership training documents. - 1983-1985.
  25. Internship program: proposals and reports. - 1973-1989.
  26. Terry and Cara Widrick's pastoral internship. -1989-1991.
  27. Deacons' Meetings and Records

  28. Deacons' meetings and records. - 1982-1986.
  29. Deacons' meetings and records. - 1987-1990.
  30. Ladies' Group records. - 1959-1993.
  31. Church Schedules

  32. Monthly calendars. - 1982-1987.
  33. Music and church cleaning schedules. - 1980-1992.
  34. Clippings and Events Related to Selkirk Christian Fellowship

  35. Newspaper clippings and events. - 1971-1992.
  36. Anniversary celebrations (20th and 25th). - 1986, 1991.
  37. Every Home Plan. - 1978-1992.
  38. Marriage counselling and Christian family living. - 1968-1985.
  39. Selkirk Cooperative on Abuse Against Women. - 1985-1987.
  40. Alcoholics Victorious. - 1983-1985.
  41. Artwork. - 1982-1985.
  42. Selkirk Christian Fellowship Related Organizations

  43. Community Ministries Board of Selkirk. - 1979-1987.
  44. Native Ministries reports. - 1978-1990.
  45. Manitoba Inter-Faith Council. - 1986-1990.
  46. Red River/ Selkirk and District Ministerial. - 1973-1982.
  47. Red River/ Selkirk and District Ministerial. - 1983.
  48. Red River/ Selkirk and District Ministerial. - 1984-1985.
  49. Red River/ Selkirk and District Ministerial. - 1986.
  50. Red River/ Selkirk and District Ministerial. - 1987.
  51. Red River/ Selkirk and District Ministerial. - 1988-1989.
  52. Red River/ Selkirk and District Ministerial. - 1990
  53. Selkirk community organizations. - 1979-1987.
  54. Selkirk Friendship Centre. - 1969-1985.
  55. Mennonite Brethren church planting. - 1982-1986.
  56. Marney Patterson ministries. - 1986.
  57. Tribal Trails Native Gospel T.V. Production. - 1984-1985.
  58. Venture Teams International. - 1986.

Volume 4534

  1. Marriage register. - 1968-1984.

 


Selkirk Mennonite Fellowship Photograph Inventory Description


Selkirk Mennonite Fellowship Audio recordings inventory (cassettes):

    1. History of Elim Fellowship: Sunday Evening Reminiscences. - April 25, 1982.
    2. Celebration of Receipt of Deed to Church Property. - Sunday evening, September 25, 1983.
    3. Selkirk Christian Fellowship celebration of receiving the deed to the property from Native Ministries.
    4. Selkirk Christian Fellowship evening worship service with a slide show presentation on Kotoura by Gail Wiebe.
    5. Selkirk Christian Fellowship 20th Anniversary Afternoon Program. - August 31, 1986.
    6. Selkirk Christian Fellowship 20th Anniversary Celebration. - August 31, 1986 am.
    7. Selkirk Christian Fellowship pre-primary school songs.
    8. Selkirk Christian Fellowship worship services. - A. "Prepare the Way of the Lord," April 8, 1984 - B. "Into All the World," Earl Settee, November 20, 1983.
    9. Selkirk Christian Fellowship worship services. - A. "All Peoples on Earth Will be Blessed Through You," May 26, 1985 - B. "Prepare the Way of the Lord," April 8, 1984.
    10. Selkirk Christian Fellowship worship services. - A. "Forgiveness" sermon and communion service, June 30, 1985 - B. "Waiting for God's Time" evening worship service.
    11. Selkirk Christian Fellowship worship services. - A."No More Excuses" - B. Sermon on the Christian Pilgrimage. - 1986.
    12. Selkirk Christian Fellowship worship services. - A. "The Waiting and Silence Broken," June 7, 1987 - B. "The Parable of the Talents," July 20, 1986.
    13. Selkirk Christian Fellowship worship services. - A. Sermon about modernization and choices, March 16, 1986 - B. "The Family Circle," Martha Bergman, June 15, 1986.
    14. Selkirk Christian Fellowship worship services. - A. "The Absence of Christ," May 31, 1987 - B. "Words Turned Into Deeds," September 1986.
    15. Selkirk Christian Fellowship worship services. - A. "Music in Worship," Martha Bergman, January 18, 1987 - B. Sermon on God's Purpose.
    16. Selkirk Christian Fellowship worship services. - A. "Words of Comfort," March 22, 1987 - B. Sermon on Obedience and God's Covenant.
    17. Selkirk Christian Fellowship worship services. - A. "Mission Accomplished," December 28, 1986 - B. Communion service, April 12, 1987?
    18. Selkirk Christian Fellowship worship services. - A. Sermon on times of plenty and thirst - B. Sermon on trusting in the lord.
    19. Selkirk Christian Fellowship worship services. - A. Sermon on finding God in the world - B. Sermon based on the passage "Seek and Ye shall find."
    20. Selkirk Christian Fellowship worship services. - A. Sermon on overcoming evil with good - B. Sermon on the significance of the Passover feast.