A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

ement. Rather than treating the economic and social problems of the immigrants, the primary emphasis will be on the contribution of the newly arrived Russlaender (Russian countrymen) to the growth and expansion of the M. B. Church earlier established by the Kanaedier (Canadians). 28 Manitoba Mennonite Brethren who came to Manitoba in the 1920's received hospitality and material assistance from the Mennonites who had come to Canada fifty years earlier and established themselves in the East Reserve and West Reserve. Others stayed in the city of Winnipeg and were assisted by C. N. Hiebert, city missionary, in finding housing and employment. To many immigrants it appeared providential that numerous farms ( Wirtschaften) were available in the villages of southern Manitoba as a result of the mass exodus of Old Colony and Sommerfelder Mennonites to Mexico in the early twenties. The Winkler M. B. Church and its affiliates were strengthened by the addition of many new members. "Not only did the congregations increase in membership . . ." writes Lohrenz, "but they also received from among them many gifted and devoted ministers, leaders, teachers and men qualified in practical affairs. "** Former staff members of the Tschongraw Bible School in the Crimea, A. H. Unruh, J. G. Wiens and G. Reimer took up residence in Winkler and founded a Bible school in 1925 under Unruh's leadership. The preaching and teaching ministry of these brethren enriched and strengthened not only the local congregation, but also that of other M. B. churches that sprang up throughout the province. The East Reserve and West Reserve could not absorb the large number of newcomers, however, and consequently a number of new settlements originated in central and western Manitoba. The number of organized M. B. churches in Manitoba jumped from two to fourteen between 1924 and 1930. 30 East of the Red River, congregations were established at Arnaud (1925), Steinbach (1927), and 162 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH Niverville (1933). 31 Except for a few members in Steinbach, the membership of these churches was composed exclusively of immigrants. In the West Reserve congregations were organized at Gnadental (1925) and at Morden (1930). West of Morden churches were established at Manitou (1927), Lena-Holmfield, now located at Killarney (1928), and at Boissevain (1928). Also belonging to the "Western District" were the churches established at Griswold (1926) now located at Alexander, and at Justice (1930), both in the Brandon area. Southwest of Winnipeg congregations were organized at Newton Siding (1928), Elm Creek (1929) and Domain, formerly Lasalle, (1926). Some years later an M.B. church was also founded at Springstein (1938) which is now extinct. Some forty miles west of Winnipeg a church was also organized at Marquette (1925), but because of its small size this group has become an affiliate of the North-End (now Elmwood) M