Canadian Mennonite Photo Series

Dates of Creation: 1953-1971

Approximately 10,000 photos and 3,000 negatives

The Canadian Mennonite was a weekly inter-Mennonite newspaper, published by the Canadian Mennonite Publishing Association, Inc. from 1953-1971. It was the first English-language Mennonite newspaper to be distributed nationally. It was printed in Manitoba and marketed primarily to Mennonites of the General Conference, Mennonite Brethren and Old Mennonite denominations. Frank H. Epp was the founding editor (1953-1967). He was succeeded by Larry Kehler (1967-1971). Kehler was associate editor 1963-1965 and 1967- 1968) and managing editor (1965-1967). George C. Friesen was assistant editor (1969-1971). Articles were written by the editorial staff as well as by consulting editors, contributing editors and free-lance writers. The editorial policy of the newspaper was to promote the teachings of the Bible as interpreted and proclaimed by Mennonites. Sources: Epp, Frank H. : The Mennonite Encyclopedia V (p. 270) / Adolf Ens (Scottdale, Pennsylvania : Herald Press, 1990); The Transition from "The Canadian Mennonite" to "Mennonite Reporter" / Lori Kroeker, unpublished term paper, 1983.-; The Canadian Mennonite / Canadian Mennonite Publishing Association (1-1-1; 7-32-2; 7-28-3; 15-3-1; 4-39-2; 7-8-1; 7-8-8; 12-9-3; 11-20-6; 6-12-4; 12-33-3; 13-43-10; 18-34-12; 8-9-7; 10-37-1; 10-37-8; 12-3-1; 12-42-1; 12-50-1; 13-5-1).

When the Canadian Mennonite Publishing Association, Inc. folded in 1971 it assigned trusteeship of its records to the Joint Committee of Manitoba Mennonite and Ontario Mennonite Historical Societies. The Joint Committee accepted this trusteeship on 18 December 1971 and transferred custody to Conrad Grebel College so they would be a resource to the Mennonite Reporter newspaper in Waterloo and to the Joint Committee's Mennonite History project in Waterloo.

It is assumed that writers of articles in The Canadian Mennonite took many of the accompanying photographs. Frank Epp is specifically identified as photographer 49 times, Dave Kroeker 89 times, George Derksen 16 times and Henry Kroeker 89 times. In addition, the names of Mennonite Central Committee staff photographers appear approximately 140 times.

There are no restrictions. Credit required for photo reproduction.

A computerized index is available for the photo series. The Canadian Mennonite newspaper serves as a manual finding aid to the series. See the photograph and slide collections.

Last modified 28-Feb-2007 by Sam Steiner

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