Shantz Mennonite Church

Classification scheme:

III-21

Title: Shantz Mennonite Church fonds

Dates of Creation: 1882-2012
Note: Further accruals are expected

Physical description: 2 m of textual records

Administrative history: Shantz Mennonite Church probably held its earliest services in a schoolhouse on farmland owned by George Schmitt. That land is across the road and north of the present location of the church, close to Baden, Ontario.

In 1853, the first church building was erected on land donated by David Y. Shantz. According to custom, the name then changed to Shantz Mennonite Meetinghouse, and later, probably in the early 1900s, to Shantz Mennonite Church. The first building was of stone, remodelled in 1900. It was replaced by the present red brick structure in 1929, which included a basement to house Sunday School space and a kitchen. An addition in 1959 provided more Sunday School facilities, an updated kitchen and new washrooms. In 1988, a further addition was built with a new entrance to the east side of the church as well as more Sunday School and office space.

The first minister of Shantz Mennonite Church was George Schmitt, who was ordained on April 12, 1840 (although another source says 1847), and served until his death in 1882. The next minister was Tobias Bowman, who served until 1898. Orphen Wismer, from the Geiger Church, was ordained in 1898, and served until 1937. Leslie Witmer was ordained in 1937 and served until 1969. He was assisted in later years by Harold Shantz (1966-1967). Up to and including Leslie Witmer, ministers and deacons were chosen by lot.

Deacons who served this congregation were John C. Shantz, (1853-1875), John D. Shantz (1875-1911), Ezra Shantz (1911-1940), Eldon Hunsberger (1940-1953), J.C. Fretz (1953-1956). Fretz was the last deacon.

Lester Kehl served as pastor from 1967-1976, and was ordained in 1971. Ed Kauffman served as pastor from from 1976-1984, and was ordained in 1978. Vernon Zehr served from 1984-1990 Vernon co-pastored with Doris Gascho from 1987-1990. Doris served as pastor from 1990-1991, then co-pastored with Jim Loepp Thiessen until 1994.

Custodial history: The Shantz Mennonite Church records have been received over many years by the Archives

Notes:
For photographs related to this congregation search the Mennonite Archival Image Database.

Additional information about this congregation can be found in the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online.

Original archival description created by Sam Steiner; revisions provided in 2018 by Mary Schiedel

File list:

Series 1: Early Formal Records

Copy of membership record, 1897-1987, 1989 (in oversize box)
Collection records, 1882-1903, 1941-1948
Cash book, 1912-1941; Statement of bank account, 1929-1933
Annual meeting minute books, 1894-1976 (in oversize box)
Sunday School records
Record of Prize Books, 1932-1959
Record Books, 1911-1915, 1924, 1927-1932, 1946-1969, 1987-1992
List of Sunday School Officers, 1962, 1969-1986, 1989-1990, 1992-1993
Bible Memory Course cards
Scripture memorization diplomas, 1933, 1936, 1940 (in oversize box)
"The Sunday School: Our Field of Labour" talk to Sunday School workers by Mrs. Irvin Snyder, 1929
Youth
Shantz Young Peoples Bible Meeting, 1929-1958
Mennonite Youth Fellowship minutes and correspondence, 1958-2000
Youth survey, [198?]
Women's groups
Sunshine Circle, 1929-1946
Shantz Charity Circle (Senior Circle) minute book 1935-1942, 1957-1970
Catering committee, 1939-1982
Cheerful Workers Circle, 1944-1971
Thank you cards and letters
Note: Includes substantial correspondence from Ellen Burkholder and Luella Brubacker
Women's Missionary and Service Commission (WMSC) minutes and correspondence, 1971-1997
WMSC Good Cheer committee, 1978-1988
WMSC Home and Special Interests committee, 1975-1988
Note: Includes organization of Neighbour Night
Sunshine Girls' Club, 1963-1967, 1974-1984

Series 2: Formal Records

Annual meeting minutes, reports and financial statements
1965 (financial statement only), 1971-2001, September 2002, February 2003, February 2005
Note: File 1971-1980 is in oversize box
Church Council minutes
1971-2002, May 2003, October 2003
Deeds, etc. (in oversize box)
Transfer/Deed of Land, 1989
Hydro-Electric agreement, 1940
Tender for church building, 1929
Constitutions and policies
Constitutions, [1977?], 1988, 1989
Plan to Protect, 2006
Church profile
1975
Membership lists/directories, 1950, 1983 (photo), 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988 (photo), 1992, 1993 (photo), 1998, 2000, 2003 (photo), 2008, 2014
List of Officers
1972, 1975-1985, 1987-1994
Shantz Adult Fellowship, 1960-1973
Elders, 1989-1996
Shantz Boys' Club, 1976-1979
Summer Bible School, 1951-1994
Worship
Worship Committee, 1987-1996
Prayer Meeting schedules, 1960-1961
Outreach Committee, 1989-1995
Gifts Discernment Committee, 1987-1992
Refugee Committee
Building Committee, 1986-1988
Discussion re changing church name, 1998-1999, 2002
Ad-hoc evaluation committees, 1977, 1983, 1990-1991

Series 3: Informal Records

Marriages, 1977-1984
Cradle Roll, 1944-1993
Deaths, 1977-1984
Journey of Faith: Shantz Mennonite Church 1840-2000 by Mary Schiedel, 2000
Miscellaneous programs
Note: Includes special services, weddings, funerals, ordinations, etc.
Kurzgefasste Kirchen-Geschichte...by Benjamin Eby, Elkhart, IN, 1868 (2 copies from the congregation's collection)
Miscellaneous historical data
Correspondence to and from J. Fretz; 1941-1956
Notes about church history from 1822-1953, anon. Written in 1953 probably by J.C. Fretz
Plays about early days of church
Miscellaneous news clippings
Memorial Cards
Shantz Church calendars, 1957-1961 ("Sacred Art Calendar," Messenger Corporation: Auburn Ind.; located in oversize box), 1988, 2015
Mennonite Aid Union valuation of Shantz Mennonite Church Building
Dec. 1971-"Have a Creative Christmas" WMSC
Car Paper Banner: "Holiness Becometh Thine House O Lord"
Student papers about the history of Shantz Mennonite Church
Publicity materials
Letters from members, 1978-1997
Pastor files, 1898-2003
Note: Includes ordination programs, correspondence, biographical information, etc. of: Orphan Wismer, Leslie Witmer, Lester Kehl, Ed Kaufman, Vernon Zehr, Doris Gascho, Jim Loepp Thiessen