Hagerman Mennonite Church (Markham, ON)

Classification scheme:

III-34

Title: Hagerman Mennonite Church fonds

Dates of creation: 1936-
Note: Further accruals are expected.

Physical description: 60 cm of textual materials

Administrative history: The Mennonite Mission Board of Ontario began services in the Hagerman community in 1932 in the homes of William and Alice Wright and Floyd and Lillian Schmucker. In 1934 the meetings moved to the Hagerman Schoolhouse. The congregation formally organized in 1937 and Floyd Schmucker was ordained as a minister. The basement of the present building was constructed in 1944, the new church was built in in 1956 and an annex added in 1968. It is located at 4581 14th Ave., east of Kennedy Road, in Markham, Ontario.

The congregation affiliated as an independent congregation of the Mennonite Conference of Eastern Canada in 1988 and the Conference of Mennonites in Canada in 1995. In 1990, the Toronto Chinese Mennonite Church began sharing space to do local outreach,resulting in the formation of the Markham Chinese Mennonite Church in 1993. Shifting demographics and real estate development affected the congregation in the 1990s, many purchased homes in the Stouffville area. Consequently, Community Mennonite Church of Stouffville was established as an emerging congregation in 1996. A Tamil group, the Markham Christian Worship Centre, began sharing space with Hagerman in 2005. Hagerman was a member of the Markham Mennonite Council.

Pastoral leaders since 1932 have included Floyd Smucker (1932-1965), Emerson McDowell (1965-1975), Don Wenger, David T. Martin (1982-1991), No Pastor (1991-1993), Gordon Alton (1993- ). In 1950 there were 19 members; in 1965, 45; in 1975, 54; in 1985, 45; in 1995, 70.

Custodial history: The congregation has made periodic donations to the Mennonite Archives of Ontario.

Scope and content: There are four series: Formal records, Informal records, Church bulletins and Newsletters.

Note: Original description created December 1999 by Sam Steiner.

Series 1: Formal records

Church Council minutes
1959-1976
1981, 1984, 1987, 1993, 1994 1997 (incomplete)
Annual reports and congregational meeting minutes
1976, 1980-1982, 1984, 1986-1987, 1989-1990, 1995-1996
SALT Program materials, 1978, 1981-1982, Sept 1985 ("Our new SALT unit")
Renovation documents, 1987
Global Neighbours program, 1986-1988
Minutes, records re: founding of Community Mennonite, 1995-1996
Pastoral care team minutes, 1990-1995
Congregational directory, ca. 1974, 1981, 1984, 1997
Record book with notes about Sunday school attendance, early meetings & list of early members, 1935-1937
Sunday school record book, 1934-1960
Sunday school secretary record book, 1958-1960, 1975-1978
Summer bible school records, 1967-1968
Junior Church "Logg" book, 1973-1975
Church offering register, 1950-1957
Boys Club records, 1967-1969
Girls Club records, 1970-1975
Women's Sewing Circle minute book and financial records, 1936-1954, 1958-1964, 1978-1986
Faith, Hope & Charity Circle, 1959-1972
WMSC financial records, 1958-1966
Relations to Markham Chinese Mennonite Church, 1990-1991

Series 2: Informal records

Correspondence, 1977-1993 (Misc.)
Misc. programs, 1957-1998 (includes weddings, funerals, dedication, installation and ordination services)
Misc. newsclippings, 1935-1991
Building campaign brochure, 1955
Refugee relief committee info, 1979
Women's group programs, coffee hour, etc., 1965-1991
Fortieth anniversary materials, including time line, 1977
Faith biography by Lil Grove, 1996
Misc. handouts, documents and lists, 1977-
Congregational history
Note: Contains scrapbook of congregational history by Lil Grove, 1932-1998; Hagerman church history, [1982?]; scrapbook of church events kept by Elsie McDowell, 1983-1986
Sermon entitled "The absence of God" given 4 Mar 1984, probably by David Martin
Brochure for community outreach
75th anniversary materials, 2012.
Note: Includes historical notes, a poster, a program, and a commemorative CD.