Classification scheme: 
VIII-3

Title: Orthodox Mennonite Church fonds

Dates of creation: 1917-1998

Physical description: 12 cm  of textual records

Administrative history:  The Orthodox Mennonite Church has its origins in a division from the David Martin Mennonites. When minister Elam S. Martin was excommunicated from the David Martin group, he gathered with other excommunicants in 1957 to form their own denomination. In 1962, the group was registered as the Orthodox Mennonite Church of Wellesley Township. A 1974 division weakened the group, and in 1978 they began to move from the Hawkesville to the Gorrie area. Their numbers have been strengthened by the return of some from the 1974 division and the addition of some Old Order Mennonites. Mennonites affiliated with the Orthodox have also settled in Kinloss Township and the Algoma District near Sault Ste. Marie.

The Orthodox Mennonites are more conservative in their approach to technology than the Old Order or David Martin groups. Their clothing and houses are very plain. However, their services are open to outsiders, and English services were added in the 1990s. The Orthodox run their own schools.

Custodial history: This collection began with photocopies of materials loaned by Bishop Anson Hoover to Frank H. Epp in 1976. Further custodial notes are included in the file list, below.

Scope and content: See file list, below.

Notes:
Further materials related to this group may be found by searching the Archives.
An encyclopedia entry for this group may be found in GAMEO.
For a more detailed description, see: The Mennonites of St. Jacobs and Elmira : understanding the variety / by Barb Draper. - Kitchener : Pandora Press, 2010.
Original archival description created 2012 by Laureen Harder-Gissing.
 

File list:

  1. Scrapbook, 1975 (microfiche)
  2. Constitution and correspondence, 1975-1976
  3. "The social system in comparison with the church" / Anson Hoover
  4. "The origins of the Orthodox Mennonite Church at Wallenstein"  / Mrs. Emmanuel Sherk and Mrs. Anson Hoover, [1974?]
    Note: Includes obituary for Elam S. Martin, 1987      
  5. General records of the Orthodox Mennonite Church, 1917-1985
    Custodial history: Borrowed for photocopying from Sidney B. Bowman
  6. "An autobiography of the Hoover clan as heard and seen by Menno Hoover formerly of Haldimand County, later of Waterloo County" / Menno Hoover, 1959
  7. Settlement maps
    Gorrie area, 1987, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2012
    Kinloss area, 1998, 2007, 2012
    North Huron, 2010
    Algoma District, 2007, 2012
    Snyder County, Pennsylvania, 2012
    Trigg County, Kentucky, 2012
    Fairview, Kentucky, 2012
    Gladstone, Manitoba, ca. 2009
  8. Constitution of the Orthodox Mennonite Church parochial schools, 1992
  9. "A confession and explanation of the primary reason why I am in unity with the Orthodox Mennonite Church and why I am not in unity with the other churches." / David E. M. Martin, 20 Jan 2013.
    Note: Martin is part of a group that broke away from the Orthodox Mennonite Church, considering itself the "pure church." Additional details and custodial history correspondence are included in the file.
  10. Three short sermon summaries by Alvin Weber, a minister with the Orthodox Mennonite community in Manitoba, February, 2014.
    Note: Donor correspondence included.
  11. Canada Pension Plan exemption, [196-]-1976
    Custodial history: Documents created and collected by Anson Hoover and Cleason M. Hoover during Anson Hoover's involvement with the appeal to the federal government from some Mennonite and Amish communities to gain an exemption from the Canada Pension Plan. Donated to the Archives by Cleason Hoover and received from Tobias Hoover in 2021.
    1. Correspondence and minutes, Anson Hoover, [196-]-1971
    Note: Includes a copy of the brief "The Amish and Their Schools: The Issue as Seen by Renowned Educators and Church Leaders."
    2. Correspondence, David Wagler and Anson Hoover, 1966
    3. Correspondence, Edward Bauman and Anson Hoover, 1967-1968
    4. Correspondence, Doug Snyder (Mennonite Central Committee Ontario) and Anson Hoover, 1968, 1971
    5. Correspondence, Cleason M. Hoover and Perrin Beatty, 1967, 1971-1976
    6. Correspondence, Joseph N. Jantzi and Anson Hoover, 1970
    7. Clippings, Canadian Pension Plan issue, 1966-1974
    8. Clippings, Amish school issue (United States)

Hours

Generally 8:30-4:30 Monday to Friday. An appointment in advance is recommended.

Contact

Mennonite Archives of Ontario
Conrad Grebel University College
140 Westmount Road North
Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6

Phone: 519-885-0220 x24238