THE MENNONITE BROTHERHOOD IN RUSSIA (1789 - 1910), P. M. Friesen, 1911

there lived a certain number of Mennonite "model farmers.” Since 1888 an affiliate of the M.B. Church of Friedensfeld has existed here. Leadership (about 1905): Ministers, Franz Wieler (graduate of the Chortitza Secondary School, formerly the Association School, a brother of Gerhard and Johann Wieler); Komelius Funk. Deacons: (?). The congregation meets alternately in the homes of the brethren, and when possible in the Mennonite schools. 3) Steinfeld (on “Baratovsland” and “Schlachting”) Province of Ekaterinoslav. Postal Address: Veseleie Temu, Province of Ekaterinoslav. This was a group of five colonies of Chortitza Mennonites residing on purchased property. This M.B. Church affiliate has existed here since 1888. Leadership in 1905: Ministers, Franz Krause, Abram Neustaedter. Deacon, Peter Krause. The congregation has its own meeting house. 4) Miloradovka and Schitlovo. Province of Ekaterinoslav, District of Verchnednieprovsk. Postal Address: Sorokopanovka. For Schitlovo: Boiedarovka, Province of Ekaterinoslav. This division of the Friedensfeld M.B. Church, existing since 1895, consists of Chortitza Mennonites who are land-owners (Miloradovka) and larger farms rented by Molotschna Mennonites. Leadership: Ministers, Abram Wall (see above), who was an itinerant minister, and Kornelius Janzen. Deacon, Br. Bergen. The congregation has a church building. V. The Mennonite Brethren Church of Tiege (i.e., " Sagradovka ”) Volost of Ohrloff, District of Kherson, from 1885 to 1910 (see above, #235, 2) (Postal Address: Tiege, Province of Kherson) 1. The most significant external event for this congregation during the period being considered here is that the government closed the doors of the church in Tiege. The history of that event follows. When the Altenau Church building referred to in the foregoing section proved too small, it was decided to erect a new structure, and that in Tiege. At the same time the Mennonite Church (now “Nikolaifeld”) had decided to erect a church building in the village of Nikolaifeld. Simultaneously, the §250 548 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH long-time area administrator of this volost, Reimer, undertook to seek permission from the government officials in Kherson for the erection of both buildings. The governor at that time, Erdeli, a very liberal and friendly man, and very favorably inclined towards Reimer and the volost, received him warmly. He immediately approved both building plans in principle, and assured Reimer that the formal documents would be prepared forthwith, and that the groups concerned should set about immediately to purchase materials and begin the building. What could be more natural than that both congregations joyfully went to work. The buddings were completed, dedicated and diligently used for their intended purpose. The formalities to approve the buildings were delayed, however. Erdeli relinquished his post, since the government no longer