Mennonite Mission Board of Ontario

Classification scheme:

II-3

Title: Mennonite Mission Board of Ontario fonds

Dates of creation: 1909-1988

Physical description: 3.4 m of textual records

Administrative history: The Mennonite Mission Board of Ontario (MMBO) was organized on September 11, 1929 and chartered the same year. It was given jurisdiction over "the rural and city mission work, sewing circles, junior investments, finance board and the support of home and foreign fields" of the Mennonite Conference of Ontario. The Board was formed to consolidate the work of the City Mission Board (1907), the Ontario Board of Mennonite Finance (1911) and Mennonite Board of Rural Missions (1915).

In 1935, representatives of the Ontario Amish Mennonite Conference (Western Ontario Mennonite Conference) were added to the Board. Relations between the two groups in the area of missions was strengthened when the executives of the MMBO and Amish Mennonite Mission Board met to discuss mutual interests in London, Ontario. MMBO expanded beyond Ontario when it took over responsibility for the work in Quebec from the Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities in 1963 (mission workers were first sent to Quebec in 1956).

Further inter-conference cooperation was established in 1967 when the Mennonite Mission and Service Board was created. Membership included the Mennonite Conference of Ontario, Conference of the United Mennonite Churches of Ontario, the Western Ontario Mennonite Conference, Mennonite Central Committee Ontario and Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church.

In 1965, MMBO dismantled its standing committees and moved to a system of ad hoc committees appointed by the executive. In 1983, the Board, though retaining its charter, became the Missions Committee of the Mennonite Conference of Ontario and Quebec. In 1987, MMBO merged with the Mennonite Conference of Eastern Canada, and ended its incorporated status.

Custodial history: Acquisitions have been received from time to time from various executive and staff members of the MMBO. Where known, the individual donors of files are indicated in the file list, below.

Scope and content: Contains the minutes, reports, constitutions, policies, correspondence and working files of MMBO and its antecedent organizations, the City Mission Board, Ontario Board of Mennonite Finance and Mennonite Board of Rural Missions. MMBO minutes and reports were also printed in the Calendar of appointments of the Mennonite Church in Ontario and it's subsequent publications, located in the Milton Good Library.
Related photographs can be located through the Mennonite Archival Image Database.

Notes: The MMBO fonds was re-appraised and re-organized in 2012-2013. Duplicate items were removed and a more detailed file list created. The original file list is as follows:

Printed reports, programs, etc.
Executive Committee and Secretary's Records
Treasurer's reports (These records were re-appraised in 2009. II-3-2.2 Boxes II and III "Journal Entries" were withdrawn.)
Chairperson's records
Field Man's records
Mission Committee Consultants
Secretary of Literature Evangelism
Rural Committee
City Committee

Description created by Laureen Harder-Gissing in 2013.

File list:

Series 1: City Mission Board/ Mennonite Mission Board of Ontario City Committee

Administrative history: The City Mission Board was formed by the Mennonite Conference of Ontario in 1907 to administer the Toronto Mennonite Mission. In 1965, the City Committee was discontinued, replaced by a system of ad hoc committees to concentrate on certain areas of development.

Toronto Mennonite Mission meeting minutes, 1909-1910, 1909-1927
City Committee meeting minutes, 1945-1965 (incomplete)
City Committee correspondence, 1950s
Mennonite Gospel Mission (Danforth)
Ellesmere Mennonite Mission (Scarborough)
Warden Park 1951-1959
Morningside Mennonite Church (Toronto)
Jewish mission work in Toronto
Harbour Rescue Mission (Hamilton)
Sudbury
Sudbury - Rockhaven
Early Quebec work, 1957-1958 (J.B. Martin file)
Quebec correspondence, 1961-1962

Series 2: Ontario Board of Mennonite Finance/ Mennonite Mission Board of Ontario Finance Committee

Administrative history: Incorporated in 1911, the Board was formed to legally receive and dispose of property donated or willed to the Mennonite Conference of Ontario. After 1929, it became the Finance Committee of the MMBO. In 1970 "since the Mennonite Mission Board of Ontario no longer has its own finance committee" the executive requested that the Mennonite Conference of Ontario Stewardship and Finance Committee be "the advisory committee for the investment portfolio" of the MMBO.

Letters patent, 23 Nov 1911, 17 Aug 1929
Solicitor's book kept by Samuel S. Bowman, 1912-1913
Financial records, 1911-1929 (2 volumes), 1929-1938 (in oversize box)
Minutes, 1911-1930, 1944-1946, 1948-1954, 19 Dec 1960, 5 Feb 1968. See also II-3.5/1 and II-3.5/2.
Christian stewardship : wills or trust settlements / Kitchener : Finance Committee, 1938, 1951
Statement or Return of Affairs, 1925 (in oversize box)

Series 3: Mennonite Board of Rural Missions of Ontario/Mennonite Mission Board of Ontario Rural Committee

Administrative history: The Mennonite Board of Rural Missions of Ontario was formed in 1915 in response to rural congregations in need of ministerial assistance. The board's objectives were to "systematize and extend the work of evangelisation," to "establish and supervise Sunday Schools and congregations in needy places," and to "encourage and aid weak congregations." It received and distributed donations for these purposes. The board was responsible to the Mennonite Conference of Ontario. In 1929, this board became the "Rural Committee" of the newly formed Mennonite Mission Board of Ontario. In 1965, the rural committee was discontinued, replaced by a system of ad hoc committees to concentrate on certain areas of development.

Constitution and bylaws of the Mennonite Board of Rural Missions of Ontario
Annual meeting programs, 1917-1919, 1924-1929
Minutes and reports, 1914-1929 (in oversize box)
Financial records, 1917-1929
Historical notes
Note: Includes a paper entitled "The record of rural missions in Ontario," [1939?], and a list of rural Mennonite missions.
Rural Committee minutes, 1945, 1946, 1949-1961-1963 (incomplete). See also II-3.5/1.
Rural Committee miscellaneous correspondence and records, 1947-1959
Rural Committee mission files:
Quebec
Glen Allen
Copper Cliff
Minden
Virginiatown
Monetville
Markstay
McArthur's Mills and Fort Stewart

Series 4: Mennonite Mission Board of Ontario Reports and Programs

Administrative history: Beginning in 1970, the MMBO annual meetings were incorporated into the annual meeting of the Mennonite Conference of Ontario. Meeting minutes are printed in the Mennonite Conference of Ontario annual reports.

Programs and Brochures, 1930-1969, 1970, 1971
Annual reports and/or minutes, 1932, 1934, 1942, 1944, 1946?], 1947, 1949-1952, 1955-1969, 1980 (notes only)
Constitutions and policies
Scope and content: Includes constitutions and policy statements, many are undated. A statement of philosophy (1978) and several chronologies are also included.

Series 5: Mennonite Mission Board of Ontario Executive Committee and Secretary's Records

Administrative history: The officers of the executive committee were elected from nominees by the Personnel Committee of the Mennonite Conference of Ontario. The executive committee appointed ad hoc committees as desired.

Executive minutes, 1929-1939
Note: Bound book also includes Annual Meeting minutes, Rural Committee minutes (1929-1939), Finance Committee minutes (1930-1939).
Executive minutes, 1939-1946 (in oversize box)
Note: Also contains minutes of the Finance, City and Rural committees.
Executive minutes, 1945-1960
Executive minutes, 1961-1963
Executive minutes, 1964-1969
Executive minutes, 1970-1975
Executive minutes, 1976-1980
Executive minutes, 1981-1987
Joint Committee minutes, 1945-1958
Mission Board Council minutes, 1954-1959
Executive correspondence, [19--], 1916, 1919, 1920-1924, 1926-1927, 1929-1936, 1939-1978, 1980-1986
Joint Meeting of Mennonite Mission Boards, 1964-1967
Note: Includes discussions of joint projects in Sudbury and northern Ontario missions.
Warden Woods and the Executive Committee, 1964-1969
Note: Includes minutes of the Operations, Building, and Programme Development committees.
Warden Woods Administrative Council, 1970-1977, 1983-1985
Warden Woods Administrative Council, 1984-1985 (restricted file)
Questionnaire to be filled out by all workers under the Board, 1953
Doctrinal examination for prospective missionaries
Promotional bulletin covers, 1978-1980
Promotion and Ownership Committee, 1981-1984
Long term planning, 1981, 1985-1986
Note: Includes records of MBBO's goal setting activities in 1981, along with minutes, reports and news clippings related to the Ten-Year Goals for the Mennonite Church, 1985-1986.
Bookrack evangelism, 1967-1968, 1970-1971
Questionnaire to congregations re use of booklet "Evangelism through small groups"
Voluntary Service Units Committee
Spiritual Life and Outreach Committee
Mission Board Executive Philosophy Session, 1968
Danforth Mennonite Church and O'Connor Community, 1970-1975
Mission Rally, 1976, 1978
Flyers, etc. from Mennonite Board of Missions
Warden Woods Capital Fund Drive, 1968
Willowgrove/Glenbrook
Arnold Gingrich Memorial Fund
Discussion on new church in Kitchener-Waterloo, 1977-1978
Grand Bend Coffee House
15 Tobermory (Jane Finch)
Missions Festival, 1985
Committee on Christian Vocation, Canadian Council of Churches
10 Days for World Development materials
Meeting the needs of older persons in Ontario, draft report, 1981
Partnering Congregations, 1982
Mission Week materials, 1965, 1967, 1969
Miscellaneous items, [19--]
Montreal - House of Friendship

Board minutes, 1973-1979
Newton Gingrich correspondence, 1974-1979
Administrative committee minutes, 1975-1976
Miscellaneous papers and reports
Mile End West projects, Montreal

43. Mennonite Mission and Service Board
Administrative history: The board was created in 1967 to co-ordinate inter-Mennonite mission efforts in Ontario.
Note: File removed. See XXVIII-3.1 for MMSB records.

44. Ad hoc committee to study incorporation of MMBO with the Mennonite Conference of Ontario, 1980-1982

Series 6: Treasurer's Records

Note: Most monthly statements and routine correspondence were withdrawn.

Financial statements, 1929-1961, 1963-1969, 1971-1973, 1975-1982, 1984
Junior investment and savings returns, 1932-1941
Mission savings banks, 1949-1954
Correspondence and miscellaneous, 1929-1955, 1961-1968
Companies Information Act returns, 1943, 1947-1953, 1955-1956, 1959 (in oversize box)
Financial reports from the Toronto City Mission, 1929-1946 (in oversize box)
Account books, 1932-1938, 1934-1940 (in oversize box)
Mennonite Broadcasts, Inc., 1967-1968
Investment program, 1967
Soloman S. Gehman estate

Series 7: Field Man records

Administrative history: In 1956, the position of field man was created. The role was held by Simon Martin (1957- ), City Mission Superintendent Emerson McDowell, Rural Mission Superintendent Newton Gingerich (1959-1963), Rural Mission Superintendent Osiah Horst (1962-1963) Field Man/Field Secretary Arnold Gingrich (1963-1969). In 1968/1969, a new administrative model was implemented. The field man was replaced with district overseers who were to visit the workers together with their Mission Board appointee. However, the term "field man" persisted.

Custodial history: The following files were identified as created by Arnold Gingrich: 2, 3, 5-8, 30-34. File 28 was created by Rufus Jutzi.

Field Man reports, 1963-1969
Minden, 1959-1970
Hagerman, 1964-1970
Warden Park/Warden Woods, 1963-1968
Bothwell, 1960-1966
Exeter, 1960-1964
Moosonee, 1961-1965
Markstay, 1960-1962
Sudbury, 1962-1965
Missions Week material, 1956, 1957, 1968
Missions Week material, 1969
Field Man, 1968
Strategy in mission, 1964-1967
Mission Board support schedules, 1964-1969
Field Man, 1969-1970
Morningside, 1968-1969
Hanover, 1965-1970
Quebec, 1964
Quebec, 1966-1968
Quebec, 1968-1969
Montreal, 1969-1970
Montreal publications
Scope and content: This folder contains the following publications: Family Service Association of Montreal Annual Report, 1967; An ecological study of social pathology in Montreal / Raymond Prince. --Montreal: Urban Social Redevelopment Project, 1966; Planning for services to families and children in greater Montreal / National Study Service New York. --[Montreal] : Montreal Council of Social Agencies, 1967; Expropriation '67 : a teaching record for training students of community organization / Bryan M. Knight, --Montreal: McGill University School of Social Work, 1968
Montreal work camp, 1968
Quebec radio, 1964-1966
Joliette, 1963-1969
French Canada, papers and notes, 1965
Quebec addresses, 1970
Quebec field man
1. Correspondence, 1973-1974
2. Montreal Service Program Board, 1973
3. Duluth Street Project, 1967-1973
4. Quebec field man reports, 1966-1973
5. Finances, 1971-1973
6. French literature, 1973
7. Joliette, 1961-1973
8. Miscellaneous, 1969-1970
9. Montreal North, 1964-1973
10. Sken-nen camp, 1971-1973
11. Montreal North voluntary service, 1963-1969
Field Man, miscellaneous
Note: Includes "Mennonite census of non-resident members," November 1964
McArthur's Mills, 1960-1969, 1970, 1972
Monetville, 1959-1965, 1970-1977
Listowel, 1964-1969
Glen Allan, 1961-1963
Ayr (Calvary), 1961-1970
Hunta, 1971

Series 8: Mennonite Mission Board of Ontario Mission Consultants

Administrative history: Hubert and June Schwartzentruber were hired as MMBO staff persons in 1979. June died in 1984. Sue Steiner was interim Mission Consultant from July 1985 to April 1986.

King/Bay Chaplaincy - Toronto
Hunger and food concerns
World Conference on Religion and Peace
Ontario Mission/Service Ministries
Toronto City Mission
Continuing Education (Conrad Grebel)
Mission Leaders seminar, Dec 1983
Mennonite Credit Union, Toronto
Mississippi retreat, Oct 1984
IMPACT (Inter-Mennonite Program for Alternative Careers Training)
Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp and Retreat Centre
Hugh Folkes
Peacemaking
Waymeet Learner's Market
Church planting materials
Church and Ministry class
Canadian mission leaders
Fraser Lake Camp
Emergency shelters (Toronto)
Miscellaneous
Community services (St. Clair O'Connor)
Herald Omnibus Bible Series : Exploring the Jesus Life
Note: Contains correpondence re Hubert and June Schwartzentruber as authors of the Grade 3 section. Published curriculum is located in the Milton Good Library.
Foundation Series
Directors' support group
Council of The Mennonite Centre (Toronto)
Congregations in Suburbia Consultation, 1983
Malawi
Native concerns
Peace activities
Synapses messages.
Note: Copies of this journal are located in the Milton Good Library.
Victim Offender Reconciliation Program
Story book
What does love look like?
Note: Copy of Love is the greatest / by June Schwartzentruber. --Nappanee, IN : Evangel Press, 1979 was withdrawn. A copy is located in the Milton Good Library.
Families for Justice
Discipleship Workshops: Focus on Justice
Peace workshops
Ontario-Quebec Mennonite Leader's Retreat, 1982
Mennonite Mission Board of Ontario Fraser Lake Retreat, 1981
Consultation on Theology and Service, 1984
Consultation on Home Missions, 1980
Consultation on Home Missions, 1981
Consultation on Home Missions, 1985
Congress on Urban Ministry, Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE), 1984
"The small church : between mission and survival" seminar, 1983

44.1. Canadian Council of Churches Inter-Church Committee, 1982-1984
Pastors' workshop, 1985
Family Life Consultation, 1976
Conversations on Faith II, 1985
Assembly on Peace Church Evangelism, 1984
Alive '85: Evangelism and Church Growth in Action, 1985
Seminars. Urban Seminar, 1983; Canadian Urban Training Project for Christian Service
St. Clair O'Connor Community
MCC Ontario Community Service Committee
Mission Board retreat, Camp Emmaus, 1979
Quebec-Ontario retreat, 1983
York County Mennonite Ministerial Association
Youth Transition Retreat, 1984
David Leung
Workshop at Landis Valley Mennonite Church, 1985
Voluntary Service Support Group - St. Clair O'Connor
Staff Evaluation - St Clair O'Connor
Note: Performance evaluation of a specific individual was removed.
Nuclear concerns
Salvation Army
Student Services
Sunbelt Strategy Conference, 1983
Overseas Missions Seminar hosting materials, 1985
Outgoing correspondence, 1979-1980
Work schedules and reports, 1980-1982
Interim Missions Consultant, 1985-1986

Series 9: Secretary of Literature Evangelism

Correspondence
Tracts, publications

Series 10: President's records

Scope and content: These records were gathered by Rufus Jutzi during his time as MMBO president. Most correspondence found in these files has been integrated with II-3.5/11: Executive correspondence.

Rufus Jutzi, 1966-1968
Mennonites and community organization : a possibility, [19--]
Bishop C. F. Derstine Evangelistic Memorial Fund policy
Canadian Inter-Faith Conference, 1965-1967
MCC (Ontario) Peace Section
Miscellaneous
Rufus Jutzi, 1963-1967
Bethel (Bothwell, Ont.), Calvary (Ayr, Ont.), Calvary (Monetville, Ont.), Danforth, Hanover, Listowel, Markstay, McArthur's Mills, Montreal North, Morningside, North Road Chapel (Minden, Ont.)
Correspondence re Quebec Mission, 1962-1965
Personnel materials, 1963-1967
Toronto Project (Warden Woods) Investigation, 1963-1969

Series 11: History

Miscellaneous historical essays and notes

Series 12: Tilman and Janet Martin files

Administrative history: After a short term at Waters in Sudbury, Tilman and Janet Martin moved to Quebec in 1956 where they served 46 years on behalf of the Mennonite Board of Missions, and later the Mennonite Mission Board of Ontario.

Custodial history: The original Martin files were received from the Martin family, photocopied, and then transferred to the care of La Société Mennonite Historique du Québec.

Quebec tour report, 1954
Correspondence with Elkhart office, 1957-1961
Correspondence with Floradale Church, 1958-1962
Correspondence with Secretary for Literature, 1960-1963
Quebec Committee, 1962-1963
Correspondence with Field Man, 1956-1979
Letters of Interest
Correspondence with St. Jacob's Mennonite Church, 1956-1961
Correspondence with J. D. Graber, 1956-1962
Activities reports to Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities, 1958-1962
Correspondence with Nelson Kauffman, 1957-1962
Correspondence with Women's Missionary and Service Commission, 1958-1977
City of Montreal North = Cite de Montreal-Nord property and school taxes, 1960-1963
Abjurations, 1961-1964
Note: File contains renunciations of the Roman Catholic Church
Correspondence re Hidden Rainbow translation, 1963-1966
Correspondence re Paroles de Vie radio program, 1957-1960
Église évangélique mennonite de Montréal-Nord = Mennonite Church of Montreal North, incorporation, 1958-1966
Correspondence with Riverdale Prayer Circle, 1958-1968
Correspondence with Edna Beiler, 1964
Bible Institute of Montreal, 1960-1962
Literature received and sent
Correspondence with Wilson Ewin
Boy's Bible and Craft Club
Home Bible Studies courses
Correspondence re Voluntary Service, 1958-1969
Correspondence with Mennonite Board of Missions, 1956-1962
New Year's letters from Tilman and Janet Martin, 1956-1976
Christian Workers Meetings, Markstay, 1954-1955
Camp Melhurst
Summer Bible School
Support for Martin Children, 1954-1968
Quebec Every Home Crusade, 1960-1965