Ontario Mennonite History

Conestoga Wagon Gets New Cover by Marion Roes Ontario n 1807 Abraham Weber made the trek which is inside the building.) Ifrom Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Museum staff and regular to the Waterloo area, walking beside his volunteers searched for appropriate Mennonite covered wagon and in company with material and purchased 100 year-old other pioneer families. The wagon, which linen. Then they spent hundreds of hours was built around preparing the material, History 1790, somehow taking measurements, survived life on checking and the farm and in rechecking size and fit 1913 George using prototypes of the THE Musselman covered wagon which donated the old had been constructed NEWSLETTER Weber wagon for just a few dollars. to the Waterloo A design was produced FOR THE Historical and with much Society (WHS) trepidation the first cut The plaque on the wagon has the logo for MENNONITE museum. At that was made. Volunteers Waterloo Historical Society and reads, HISTORICAL time the museum “Donated to the Waterloo Historical from the community was located in the Society by Mr. George Musselman of were invited to sign up SOCIETY OF basement of the near Conestogo, 1913.” to sew a little or a lot. then-Berlin Public August 4 was the last ONTARIO Library. George’s wife Hannah Good day that volunteers from the community was a descendant of Abraham Weber worked on the cover and some stayed and his wife Elizabeth Cressman. (The to see that, indeed, it did fit the wagon! family genealogy can be viewed at www. This exhibit—and others—will be ready generations.regionofwaterloo.ca.) for the opening on November 12 and VOLUME XXIX In 1960, when the WHS donated 13. There will be information about its artifacts collection to the newly- the opening in the media and at www. NUMBER 2 established pioneer village at Doon, waterlooregionmuseum.com. • the wagon was moved to there from Sewing even a few stitches on the basement of the library (through a the antique linen was a once-in-a-lifetime OCTOBER, 2011 window!). In 1995 the climate-controlled opportunity –and a privilege. My own • Waterloo Regional Curatorial Centre, Lichty ancestors would have walked ISSN 1192-5515 close to the pioneer village, became its beside a similar wagon when they moved home. to Canada in 1822, according to Ezra The cover of the wagon did not Eby’s A Biographical History of Waterloo survive. Perhaps it was made into linen Township. bed covers or curtains. However, a cover was needed because the covered wagon would be one of the permanent exhibits planned for the new Waterloo Region Museum. This museum is now the gateway to Doon Heritage Village at 10 Huron Road, Kitchener. (It is at the crossroads of the Huron Road and the Galt to Elmira Line of The completed new linen cover is draped over the Grand Trunk Railway the wagon frame. (Marion Roes photo) Page 2 Mannheim Mennonite Church marks God’s faithfulness for 175 years by Ferne Burkhardt annheim Mennonite Church is to urgent needs; welcoming strangers Loraine area bordering France and Mnot a building; the “church” is the including refugees and people from other Germany came in the early 1820s, settling people. The building where the church faith traditions; lay leadership; innovation; west of Bleams and Road 12. These meets every Sunday for worship and other recycling; working with other churches in sojourners, with both commonalities and activities is located at 1494 Bleams Road, the area; and—big surprise—dissension differences, became neighbours, helping just east of the Bleams and Regional within the congregation, several times one another to create new homesteads. Road 12 intersection. It is not really around pastoral leadership. There have Mennonites developed a reputation a Mannheim community church. The been many “full circles,” sometimes for being hard-working and financially “church” is scattered from New Hamburg narrowing, constricting, threatening to shrewd, “keeping the Sabbath and to Baden, St. Agatha, Waterloo, Kitchener, choke the very life of the congregation. everything else they got their hands on,” Cambridge, Ayr and New Dundee along Then again, the circle widens, pushing as someone once quipped. They were with a few people from Mannheim. out the edges, embracing the new and primarily farmers, but the pioneering For years, Mannheim has tended the creative gifts within the group and Moses Bowman family started a cottage to draw people from outside the experiencing the freedom of new spiritual cheese-making industry. It continued neighbourhood and also to incubate growth. through four generations until great- and nurture people and then send them granddaughter Jessie Milne and her off, often to church and husband Howard Bearinger, institutional leadership now at Nithview Home, positions. In the last few gave it up about 1950. decades, Mannheim church Those early settlers people have gone to B.C., organized a church in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, 1836, 10 years earlier than Quebec, Florida, Indiana, the Mannheim Lutherans. Michigan, Missouri, Several other Mennonite Pennsylvania, Virginia, churches began in the area and currently to a MEDA between 1830 and 1850: (Mennonite Economic Detweiler in Roseville Development Associates) (1830), Blenheim, now assignment in Tanzania. disbanded (1839), Geiger, Membership currently now Wilmot, (sometime is about 100, including before 1842), Weber, now people who maintain some The stone structure, built in 1853, was known as Pioneer Park, (1842) and connection but are not Latschar Mennonite Church. Shantz (1849). People first present. Average Sunday (Mennonite Archives of Ontario photo) met in homes but in 1836, morning attendance is about when Jacob C. Hallman was 55 with a high percentage of seniors, many But when and how did it all begin? ordained Mannheim’s first minister, the of whom can no longer attend regularly, church was officially launched. very few children, and a middle age bulge. Mannheim is in Wilmot Township, Not until three years later was the which was incorporated in 1825 and was first log meetinghouse built, running The church’s history dates back 175 once part of what was designated the parallel to the road, on the lowest level of years. “German Block.” Mennonites first came the current site. It was named “Latschar “A [church’s] history is a curious from Pennsylvania in 1786 to what was Mennonite Church” because the acre of and mysterious mixture of the human then Upper Canada, then to Waterloo land where that building was constructed and the divine... It is the story of God at Township in 1816. As land became scarce was purchased from Isaac Latschar. It was work in the world through God’s people,” there they moved to what was described paid for in British pounds, equalling about says former pastor James Reusser in his as “bush life in the wilderness” of Wilmot $4.20. Several additional land purchases foreword to the church history book, Full to domesticate this land. About the same and “swaps” have occurred over the years. Circles, published as a 150th anniversary time, German Lutherans from Germany The name was changed to “Mannheim project in 1986. The title suggests and Switzerland came to what is now Mennonite Church” in 1969. recurring themes in the story: responding Mannheim, and Amish from the Alsace/ In 1853, a stone structure on the same Page 3 foundation replaced the log building. It took two years of discernment many conversations and even news stories About 25 years ago, the late Mel Shantz, and planning for the church to figure in the local media. a long-time member who lived next to the out that a fancy new building was out of Attaching the old building with its church all his life, dug out a rock from character for Mannheim while recycling worship space to the school building rather the remnants of that first foundation. The what already existed was not. “Recycling” than renovating or replacing both of them stone was donated to Waterloo North and “innovation” were in Mannheim’s at much higher cost proved to be a good Mennonite Church to incorporate into its DNA but when a member of the church decision. The church family did a lot of new building’s wall of stones. The stones first floated the idea of moving the church the physical labour. Even the children came from other church buildings in the building up the hill and attaching it to the were part of a bucket brigade, scooping conference as symbols of solidarity. school structure the notion was considered out the dirt under part of the school Mannheim’s brick building dates creative—but crazy! building to create a full basement. Women back to 1908. A new front entrance and Such a move would be more radical spent a regular quilting day chipping back lobby were added in 1923. By than any recycling or innovating that had mortar off bricks from the demolished the late 1970s, the building no longer yet been attempted. Nevertheless, the parts of the original building so the bricks met the needs of the congregation. In church decided to forge ahead. could be reused. 1968, two years after local schools were In 1980, the front and back additions But the church is not buildings; it is consolidated and Mannheim’s school were demolished and steel girders were people. For the first 100 years, pastors was closed, the church purchased the punched through the basement windows of were called out from the congregation, two-room schoolhouse at the top of the the double-brick church building. Resting often chosen by lot. Since 1946 they hill next to the church building. It worked on the girders, it was jacked up, gradually have come from elsewhere. Mannheim well for Sunday school classes, Vacation turned 90 degrees and literally rolled up has had 16 different pastors, including Bible School, youth gatherings, women’s the hill and attached to the school building three interim pastors. In 1976, both groups, social events and more. However, at the top. That project slowed down the the congregation and Mannheim’s first using two building, separated by a hill that traffic along Bleams Road and caused a seminary trained pastors, Jim and Helen was muddy in spring and icy in winter, great deal of shaking of heads as travellers Reusser who had served city churches was less than ideal. And the old building observed a large brick building, apparently until then, experienced a culture shock! in the hollow was developing structural suspended in the air, moving to a slightly Jim recalled the first annual congregational and moisture problems. What would be a different spot on the hillside with each meeting held about one month after they good solution? passing day. The move was the topic of came. He said, “It was informal, there were few pieces of paper and no votes. It blew my mind!” In 1985, Helen Reusser was ordained at Mannheim, its first woman pastor and only the third woman to be ordained in the conference, another rather radical move. While Helen’s ordination created some dissension in the congregation at the time, the church welcomed women as interim pastors twice since then and currently is being well served by Pastor Ruth Anne Laverty. Mannheim also shares a marginal time youth pastor with three other local congregations. The 1908 building as it appeared in the 1960s. In an earlier era, deacons were also (Mennonite Archives of Ontario photo) called out from the congregation and

Ontario Mennonite History is published semi-annually by the Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario, Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G6, and distributed to all members of the Society. It is distributed free of charge to public libraries and school libraries in Ontario, upon request. Editor: Barb Draper Editorial Committee: Linda Huebert Hecht (Chair), Marion Roes, Bethany Leis Financial assistance from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture is gratefully acknowledged. Inquiries, articles, book notices or news items should be directed to the Editor, Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario c/o Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G6 TEL. 519-885-0220, FAX 519-885-0014 Page 4 ordained. But there have always been, a clarinet and piano, all from the church of Friendship and other agencies in their and continue to be, strong lay leaders. In family, delights the congregation. relief, service and development work 1956, administrative leadership passed to A Christian education hour (or three- continue to be expressions of care. The a Church Council made up of laymen; yes, quarter- hour, since visiting in the foyer church also welcomes strangers who have for the first years it was all men. Within a takes precedence over getting started on moved here. In fact, only about fifteen few years, Jessie Bearinger people who regularly are at joined the council as treasurer a Sunday morning service for many years and several were born and raised and women have since served have spent their entire lives as church chair. A budget as part of the Mannheim system was introduced in church family. Almost as 1965 and elders to assist the many have come from other pastor were first named in faith traditions. 1977. About 140 years after Another theme that it began, the church decided comes around from time to it needed a constitution, time is working with other which was adopted in 1977. churches in the area. It began A key component of the in the early days, working constitution, which has had with Mannheim Lutherans. a couple of updates, had to It happened again in the mid- do with decision-making. In the 1980s Mannheim moved its building 20th century when people Mannheim seldom votes, and attached it to a former school. from both denominations choosing rather to make (Mennonite Archives of Ontario photo) teamed up for Vacation Bible most decisions by a form of School and Thanksgiving consensus. Perhaps more important than time!) has classes for children, youth and services. Current examples are sharing the constitution document itself was the adults. Adult classes in turn may focus on a youth pastor with three other area process that produced it. Process is valued Bible study or explore a specific theme Mennonite churches and participating in at Mannheim, although for some members that relates to Christian faith and life, the New Dundee Ministerial. process tends to be taken to excessive or the class may spend time in guided If by some miracle, Moses S. lengths sometimes. personal reflection on the passage of Bowman, Mannheim’s second pastor and Worship at Mannheim has also scripture that will be the basis for the the progenitor of six generations of people had many changes. Worship services, morning’s sermon. who have been part of the church family, first conducted in German, changed to Fellowship is a strong Mannheim could return some Sunday morning, he English about 1907 and biweekly services characteristic. In fact, in the 1980 would be bewildered. The wild forest he became weekly in 1926. For the past recycling/renovating project, creating knew has gone. So has the stone church thirty or more years, lay people have led a large gathering space adjoining the where he preached. In the sanctuary, worship and preached, not only to fill sanctuary was a deliberate plan. The he would not find women seated on the in for part-time pastors but also because congregation enjoys almost monthly left, men on the right, old people in the the variety of members’ gifts are valued. potlucks, a summer retreat weekend at “Amen” corners and ordained men on Many excellent song leaders have kept Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp and the bench behind the pulpit. Nor would congregational singing important. Singing several small groups meet more or less he find a hook on an overhead rack to is mostly a cappella, one way for everyone regularly. A recent venture is an effort to hang his black hat. A colourful banner to contribute to corporate worship. The build a partnership with a tiny Mennonite on the wall and flowers or candles on sanctuary is acoustically very alive and congregation in London, England. the communion table might distract him, singing is exceptional, something that Among recurring themes is and hearing a woman delivering the surprises and inspires visitors to the responding to urgent needs. Early in the sermon would stop him in his tracks. But small congregation. A piano provides 20th century, Mannheim women sewed if he listened, he would know that God’s accompaniment to learn new songs and for destitute victims of the revolution in word is still being shared, that the circle for some more contemporary music, Russia. For several decades the church of ministry continues, its arc expanding but traditional, unaccompanied hymns donated food and clothing to mission and embracing rather than excluding. predominate. Occasionally there will be workers’ families and it helped resettle Hopefully he would see Mannheim as a a guitar and understated drums or other East Asian refugees—“boat people”—in people fully aware of God’s faithfulness instruments. For some special occasions the 1970s. Responding to victims of and endeavouring faithfully to build God’s an impressive orchestra including four or hurricanes or other losses and supporting kingdom. five violins, a couple of cellos, recorders, Mennonite Central Committee, House Page 5 Quilt art: Encounters along the Grand By Barb Draper

he Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario commissioned shrinks to give it a puckered effect. She also did some stuffing TJudy Gascho-Jutzi to create a quilt art wall-hanging and sewing to make it look authentic. Grandmother moon, in depicting the early Mennonite settlers in the Grand River valley the sky, as well as the clouds are made with dryer lint. The and their relationship to the native people who lived here. branches of the white pine are made of drapery trim. The two- Judy called her fabric art “Encounters Along the Grand” and row wampum belt is made with drapery piping to represent the completed it in time for the Mennonite Church Canada assembly, beading that a real belt would have been made of. held at the University of Waterloo in July, 2011. The quilt art Someone asked Judy why she made it in three sections. Judy was on display in the worship space during the five days of shrugged and said that it just felt right. She had to learn about assembly. native culture to make this piece and she had to let the project Sometime last year, Neill and Edith von Gunten, the speak to her. Neill von Guntun said the three sections make it directors of MC Canada Native Ministries, saw a quilt art piece into a kind of Mennonite wampum belt. A native wampum belt is done by Judy Gascho-Jutzi and dreamed of having such a a symbol of peace because the lines do not cross. piece on display at this summer’s at assembly. They asked the A photo does not to justice to this work of art. It will hang at Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario about commissioning Conrad Grebel in the future, although it may need to wait until the artwork and were delighted when it all came about. the latest building project is completed, so be sure to find time to Judy talked about this project in a seminar. This wall take a closer look someday. hanging is all done with quilted fabric and it took her months to put together. First she needs to think about it and search for fabric for quite a while, she said. She began sewing in January and worked hard to finish it for early July. The right-hand side has a towering black walnut tree trunk in the foreground while the Grand River flows through the background. The black walnut was valued by the early Mennonite pioneers. Other symbols of Mennonite presence are the pioneer tower, a log cabin, and a Conestoga wagon with crops and animals around it. On the bottom left is a traditional log cabin quilt square. Judy was delighted to find fabric that was all over 100 years old to make the quilt square. Native symbols are the large wampum belt on the left-hand side, the medicine wheel beside it, the long-house, the pine tree, and the nine clan animals. The white pine was considered the tree of peace; Judy put it on the turtle because native tradition says that North America is shaped like a turtle. The tree’s roots point in four directions. Corn, beans and squash were called the “three sisters” by the aboriginals and they remained important crops for the Mennonite pioneers. Judy also talked about how she gets a three-dimensional effect in her work. She was delighted to find just the right colour light- weight fabric for the bark of the walnut tree. She sewed it onto cotton waffle cloth that Judy Gascho-Jutzi created this fabric art, Encounters Along the Grand, in 2011. (Photo courtesy of Judy Gascho-Jutzi) Page 6 Letters home give rare glimpse of MCC post-war relief work Alice Snyder’s Letters from Germany. Book review by Ferne Burkhardt Swiss mountains, holidaying in Italy, Lucille Marr with meandering through picturesque villages Dora-Marie Goulet. and countrysides, hiking to a mountain Pandora Press, Kitchener ON, 2009, 262 top for an Easter sunrise service, taking pages. photos, visiting churches and friends and enjoying numerous parties and car and n February 1948, Alice Snyder, a train trips. I29-year-old farm girl, left peaceful Early on Alice wrote, “I guess I just Waterloo County, Ontario to serve with won’t be able to write everything I see.” Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) But from the moment her ship docked in occupied Germany. Two years later, in Amsterdam, she documented her in a letter home, she wrote: “One does activities in meticulous detail in weekly many things here they would never do at letters to her family, to whom she was home.” devoted. One can sense her breathless Service was nothing new for Alice. excitement with words scrambling for She and her mother Ida had operated a space on the page as they pour from her “Cutting Room” in their home, cutting Alice served as matron at MCC pen (later from a typewriter which she and sewing garments and sorting and centres with their surges of visiting blamed for the mistakes). She paid no packing clothing for MCC. When the MCCers, “big shots” from North America heed to political correctness in describing operation moved to downtown Kitchener, and others. She managed household people, work habits, homes or religion Alice took charge. She developed a staff, cleaned, shopped, cooked (15 at nor to proper spelling and grammar. strong connection to MCC’s refugee the table was normal but sometimes The errors, which editors wisely did work but when given an application form there were 70), conducted sewing classes, not correct, add to the charm of these for service in Germany, Alice tossed it distributed food and clothing, visited delightful letters. aside. Then she reconsidered. Soon she homes and refugee camps and learned Alice’s mother had the foresight was sailing to Europe. to speak German. She was “mama” in to preserve the letters which allow From February 1948 to May 1950, three different homes that housed 50 poor, readers to follow a young woman’s during the peak immigrant flood from under-nourished and often sick children growing independence and confidence Russia and Poland into Germany, Alice for three-month periods to nurture them as she shoulders new and unexpected worked in Neustadt in the French Zone back to health. With parents, social responsibilities. They also provide an in southern Germany, in Hamburg in the workers and officials, she determined unusually candid and unsophisticated British Zone in northern Germany, then which children to accept. glimpse of MCC’s relief work in post- back in the south to Kaiserslautern and Despite an unimaginable work load, World War II Germany and on the Bad Dürkheim. Alice found time for fun: skiing down country’s reconstruction and healing. Archives Update Building Project office in Lorna’s honour. Lorna was a long honour of Lorraine are being solicited. The Next Chapter campaign to raise serving volunteer archivist, writer and A fundraising dinner on October 13 will funds to renew and expand the Mennonite active member of the Mennonite Historical be held in Tavistock and Lorraine will be Archives of Ontario and the Library Society of Ontario. present to receive tributes to her work as at Conrad Grebel University College Richard and Shirley Schiedel Archives a historian and genealogist for the Amish is receiving generous support. Many Processing Room - The family of the late and Mennonite communities. The goal is donors have seen this as an opportunity “Dick” Schiedel have donated $100,000 $75,000 for this project. to honour volunteers in our community in honour of their parents’ avid interest Enoch B. and Elizabeth (Brubacher) Martin - who have made a significant contribution in Mennonite history. Dick was an active Descendants of this couple are making to preserving and promoting Mennonite member of the Mennonite Historical donations in their honour for archives history and culture. Society of Ontario and the Pennsylvania equipment. Enoch was the historian for the Lorna Bergey Archivist’s Office - German Folklore Society of Ontario. St. Jacobs Mennonite Church and had an Family and friends have raised over Lorraine Roth Archives Reading Room - $63,000 in order to name the new archivist Gifts to name the reading room in ~ Continued on page 7 ~ Page 7 Commemorating the War of 1812 by Jonathan Seiling n recent months it has become difficult resistance who actually resisted the war, express this legacy to the public in a Ito drive through the Niagara region or it is a rehearsing of battles that remains way that hopefully draws the attention read a local Niagara newspaper without the main focus. Perhaps a remorseful of tourists. The Committee has also noticing the array of preparations for the lamentation on the very existence of war been planning for public events to raise bicentennial celebrations of the War of would hardly be an effective way to boost awareness of the experience of COs 1812. Commemorative events will also tourism. during the War of 1812 with tentative happen throughout the bordering states, The Quakers, Mennonites and plans for the unveiling of the three and other regions of Ontario. Brethren in Christ present in Upper markers. Although these events are explicitly Canada during the War of 1812 suffered One historical marker will be aimed at boosting tourism, they also aim due to their pacifist convictions. They located at the Bertie Church (Brethren to tweak the historical consciousness were pioneer conscientious objectors, in Christ) in Stevensville, near Fort of Canadians and Americans, as we thanks to a provision granted by Erie. The Mennonite marker will be collectively reconcile that we were once Governor Simcoe and the Upper Canada attached to the stone wall surrounding embattled in a mutually destructive war Assembly in 1793. Although granted the Mennonite Bicentennial Monument that benefitted no one. official exemption from militia duty, (1786-1986), adjacent to the cemetery of So, how shall Mennonites remember these historic peace church settlers The First Mennonite Church, Vineland or commemorate the War of 1812? experienced the ravages of war on many (the structure featured on the cover of This question will surely be answered levels. Their stories are largely being this newsletter). The Quaker marker will differently by those of various religious ignored, or simply lost in the discussion appear near the peace garden at Rennie commitments, and especially those of us of the valour of the soldiers. Park in Port Dalhousie. whose ancestors were present in Upper In May 2010 an historical In addition to these historical Canada during those years. commission, called the 1812 Bicentennial markers, I am currently working on a The events aim to attract a cross- Peace Committee, was organized under short history with the title, A Different section of visitors, but battlegrounds and the auspices of Mennonite Central Call of Duty: Quakers, Mennonites, re-enactments seem to have the highest Committee Ontario (MCCO), with Brethren in Christ and the War of 1812 profile. Even the story of Laura Secord members from all three historic peace to be published in the coming year. is only meaningful within the context churches. This group has been preparing There are some speaking of commemorating the victories of the for alternative commemorations to engagements being arranged for 2012 British-Canadian-First Nations armies highlight the experience and raise the related to this theme. One event that may against the invading Americans. profile of conscientious objectors in the be of interest is the Grand River Heritage This focus on the military aspect of War of 1812. Web pages devoted to the Workshop, Friday, Feb. 17 in the South the war is at odds with the fact that the upcoming events are being developed Dumfries Community Centre, St. George official mission of the commemoration to be available by the end of 2011 on (near Brantford), including the topic is to celebrate peace. The stated intent the MCCO website (check back soon at: “Mennonites and the War of 1812.” Also, is generally to appreciate that the http://ontario.mcc.org/) the storyteller, Mary-Eileen McClear, Canada-U.S. border has, for the most Each historic peace church has will be including a story about Elizabeth part, enjoyed two hundred years of non- prepared a text and location for a Bechtel in an upcoming performance. For combatant activity. Yet rather than giving historical marker. These markers will details see: http://www.thestorybarn.ca/. an ear to those pioneers of peace and non- inform their respective constituents and

~ Continued from page 6 ~ Archives Update active interest in Mennonite history. Over New Acquisitions been added to the Archives. We have also $14,000 has been donated. Thanks to the generous offer of time received student help to scan photographs Overall the fundraising campaign has from two student volunteers, several from the early years of Conrad Grebel achieved almost $3.8 million which met important collections are being processed. College. Over 370 of these photographs the minimum goal of $3.7 million target. The Mennonite Central Committee and are now viewable on our website at grebel. The task now is to reduce the budgeted Conference of Historic Peace Churches uwaterloo.ca/mao. Follow the link to the $1 million mortgage prior to construction file lists are now available on our website. “Photographs & Slides” page and search which is slated to begin March 2012. Visit The personal collections of Osiah and for “conrad and grebel” to take a trip down www.grebel.uwaterloo/building for more. Fern Horst and Reuben Detwiler have memory lane. People and Projects

Publication of Lorna Bergey’s writings he J. Winfield Fretz Fund of the Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario has Tprovided $2000 to the Waterloo Chapter of the Pennsylvania German Folklore Society of Ontario for publication of a book of the selected writings of Lorna Bergey. For over 30 years, Bergey prepared and presented research on Mennonites in Waterloo Region, becoming one of the area’s most respected historians. Dr. J. Winfield Fretz was the first president of the Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario.The fund is available to any individual or charitable, church or community-based organization that requires financial support to assist in the publication of research—in book, film, or other form of media—that illuminates the experience of Mennonites in Ontario. Deadlines for submission are the 1st of May and the 1st of October. See www.mhso.org for further details. This plaque recognizes the contribution to local history by Lorna (Shantz) Bergey (1921-2008) who was inducted into the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame (Waterloo Region Museum) on May 15, 2011.

Erb Street anniversary Tribute to Alice Koch celebrations (February 1, 1913 - August 7, 2011) Erb Street Mennonite Church is celebrating 160 he Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario years from when the first meetinghouse was built at has lost another long-time member. Alice the corner of Erb Street West and Fisher-Hallman T (Nahrgang) Koch served on the MHSO board Road, Waterloo in 1851. The congregation started for 27 years from 1973 to the year 2000. meeting at David Eby’s in the mid-1830s. Joanne For eleven of those years (1981-1992) she Bender, Waterloo, was commissioned by Erb served as president. It was during her term as Street’s Worship and the Arts Ministry to compose president that this newsletter was begun. and write a cantata. Along with other instrumental Alice was born to Menno and Amelia pieces and an intergenerational choir, the cantata, (Bergey) Nahrgang in 1913, attending Biehn titled “Cantata 160” will be performed Sunday, Mennonite Church (now Nith Valley). She was November 20 at 7 pm. Everyone is welcome married to Lester Koch and raised ten children to attend. A free will offering will be taken and on a farm near Haysville. Lester died in 1993. refreshments served afterwards in the Fellowship Alice Koch Education was always important to Alice. Hall. Join us at 131 Erb Street West, Waterloo, (David L. Hunsberger/ She graduated from the University of Toronto 519-886-3570. www.erbstchurch.ca Mennonite Archives and taught elementary school for eight years of Ontario photo) before her marriage. Lancaster on Facebook Alice’s mother was the very first Lancaster Historical Society invites everyone to president of the Ontario-wide women’s sewing circle (also known as the join them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ Mennonite Women’s Missionary Society) from 1917 until 1936. Alice lmhs.org to see photos, videos and recent news. followed in her footsteps and also served as president from 1970 until 1974 when it was called the Ontario Women’s Missionary and Service Auxiliary. If you have a Facebook account, you can support Although she was not a charter member, Alice was a staunch supporter the Society by clicking the “Like” button. The of the Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario. She also supported the work 1719 Hans Herr House, Willow Street, PA has a of Mennonite Central Committee Ontario and worked for 25 years as the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hansherr.org. volunteer supervisor of Material Aid at 50 Kent Avenue in Kitchener. She was Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, 2215 very experienced in making durable school kit bags and she sewed hundreds Millstream Road, Lancaster PA 17602, USA, of comforters for MCC. 717-393-9745. Alice was very interested in history. She served as historian for the www.lmhs.org Nith Valley congregation and wrote a history of the congregation as well as www.facebook.com/lmhs.org. an autobiography entitled “A Time for Memories.” She also wrote articles Lancaster Roots published in Mennogesprãch, the forerunner of Ontario Mennonite History. www.lancasterroots.org The church and the Mennonite community benefited greatly from Alice’s many years of service.