A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

1) has a membership of only sixteen. The only K.M.B. church in Alberta, established in 1918 near Clairmont, became extinct after a brief existence. California About the same time that Mennonite Brethren found their way to the San Joaquin Valley of central California, some Krimmer Mennonite Brethren from South Dakota also made the trek to the Pacific coast. In 1910 nine families arrived and settled on the so-called "Clark and Kennedy Ranch" near Dinuba." John Z. Kleinsasser, the leader of the group, donated a plot of land for the construction of a church building. On February 26, 1911, the new church was dedicated and a few weeks later the Zinn K.M.B. Church was organized under the guidance of Peter A. Wiebe from Kansas. John Z. Kleinsasser served as pastor for the first eight years. A K.M.B. Conference was held at the Zion church for the first time in 1920. Through the years this congregation has produced a number of effective Christian workers for service at home and abroad. za Two congregations established in Oklahoma around the turn of the century have both become extinct. The Bethel K.M.B. Church was organized with twenty members under the guidance of Heinrich and 184 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH Peter A. Wiebe in November, 1897, near Weatherford. The church, never very large, became extinct in 1937 when the remaining members joined the Corn M.B. Church. Another Bethel congregation was established in the Oklahoma panhandle at Hooker in 1907. A year later it numbered sixty-four members. The congregation dissolved early in 1919, "scattered by war clouds and depressing experiences as a result of war." 2 " A brief study of its life and work follows this survey of the geographical expansion of the K.M.B. Church. 4. Conservatism in Christian Life-Style Historical observers of the Krimmer Mennonite Brethren have been impressed with its strong emphasis on a life-style that would conform as closely as possible to the teachings of Scripture. Thus H. S. Bender writes: "Always deeply religious in nature and emphasizing a deep inner experience, regeneration, assurance of salvation, and holy living, the K.M.B. group has stood for an intensely serious and strict manner of life." 1 " This conservatism manifested itself in the nature of their worship services. Men and women of the congregation were segregated in the services. Some children sat with their mother, others with their father, but families did not sit together. The service generally consisted of preaching, praying and the singing of hymns. Part singing was long forbidden, however, and musical instruments were introduced beginning in 1917-18. 31 Sunday schools were held in the afternoons so as to minimize the possibility of desecrating the Day of Rest by any less worthy activities. The conservatism of the Krimmer Mennonite Brethren also expressed itself in church regulations governing the ethical and social practices of me