Homecoming: 150 Years of Chortitz – Mennonite Heritage Archives

Tales from the Mennonite Heritage Archives: Episode 35

Mrs. Abram Beuckert coming home from Chortitz Church in a photo dated 1957 from the Victor Peters Collection. MHA 759-18.
A sketch by Marta Goertzen-Armin from her childhood attending church in Chortitz. MHA 6491-23-11.
The present day interior of Chortitz Church in its location at the Menonite Heritage Village. www.destinationsdetoursanddreams.com. accessed 25 June, 2025.
Another sketch from Marta Goertzen-Armin, documenting daily life in 1933 Chortitz. MHA 6491-20-2.

Chortitz is a village in Southern Manitoba that traces its beginnings back 150 years to the arrival of Mennonites on the ‘East Reserve’ in 1874. Host Dan Dyck sits down with local Abe Penner, whose family has roots there going back to 1903, and Jason Janzen, anniversary organizer, to discuss the Mennonite presence in the area and how they plan to celebrate their 150th anniversary.

View a map of 1920’s/1930’s Chortitz from Marta Goertzen-Armin here – Marta documented her childhood in Chortitz in her later years. The Mennonite Heritage Archives holds 55 of her drawings in its collection, which can be viewed here.

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Podcast Series: Tales from the Mennonite Heritage Archives
Episode 35: Homecoming: 150 Years of Chortitz
Date: June 29, 2025
Host: Dan Dyck
Special guests: Abe Penner & Jason Janzen
Published by The Mennonite Heritage Archives

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