© Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Last updated January 31, 2003)


Schulz, David, 1897-1976

Retrieval numbers: Vol. 2120-1

Title: David Schulz fonds
Dates: ca. 1919-1976
Extent: 16 cm of textual records

Historical note

David Schulz was born on March 11, 1897 in the village of Weidenfeld near Altona, Manitoba. He was the youngest of two surviving children born to David and Helena (nee Martens) Schulz. As a child, Schulz attended school in Schoenthal and then went on to attend the Mennonite Collegiate Institue in Gretna for two years. He also attended Winkler Bible Insitute for a period much later. In 1916 Schulz developed a blood clot in one leg and while recovering from this illness he experienced a conversion. He was baptized the following year on May 27, 1917 by Aeltester Jacob Hoeppner. He married Catherina (Tina) Friesen on June 24, 1919. Their marriage produced nine children including two daughters and seven sons. Although Schulz was trained as a teacher and earned his livelihood from farming, the greatest part of his life's time, energy and talent was given to serve as Aeltester in the Bergthaler Mennonite Church of Manitoba. As a young teacher Schulz began to preach with much success and was soon called to the ministry in 1920. He was ordained in 1921 by Aeltester Michael Klaassen. Aeltester Jacob Hoeppner's health began to fail in 1926 and he chose Schulz to succeed him. At the age of 29 Schulz was ordained by Aeltester Jacob Hoeppner in Altona. For over 40 years Schulz served a growing, multi-congregational church which often placed great demands on him and his family. Over the years he officiated at between 700 and 800 weddings and funerals. During the war he put a great deal of time and energy into helping young Mennonite men receive conscientious objector status. He was an active supporter of the Conference of Mennonites in Manitoba and the Conference of Mennonites in Canada. Schulz helped found Elim Bible School and was also actively involved in establishing the Altona hospital, the Ebenezer Home for the Aged, the Eden Mental Health Center in Winkler and the CFAM radio station im Altona. In 1962 he began to experience serious health problems which forced him to retire. David Schulz died on November 19, 1976.

Scope and content note

This fonds contains approximately 500 sermons, portions of sermons, or sermon notes written for a wide variety of occasions and based on a wide selection of scripture passages.

Index terms

Creators

Schulz, David, 1897-1976

Adjunct descriptive data

Finding aids

File list available.

Notes

Custodial history

Collected by David and Trudy Schellenberg of Winkler for the Christian Heritage Library.

Language

Hand-written Gothic and typed German

Arrangement

Described by Sharon H. H. Brown December, 2002.

Restrictions on access

None

Other notes

Acc. no. 97-150