Accession 2013.026
Title and Description
Harry Stauffer fonds. – 1923-2004. – 4 m of textual records
Administrative/Biographical history
Harry Stauffer, the oldest child of Ben and Nora (King) Stauffer, was born on the family farm near Tofield, Alberta, on 5 November 1920. When Harry was three and one half years old his father was killed in a farming accident, which caused him to begin farming at a very young age. Harry attended school at Grand Forks School near Tofield.
Gladys (Reist) Stauffer was born at Youngstown, Alberta on 27 July 1920. She was the oldest child of Abe and Alma Reist. In 1924 the family moved to the Carstairs area where Abe Reist also served as a part-time pastor.
Harry and Gladys first met when attending winter Bible schools and were married on 16 March 1944. After their marriage they moved to the Stauffer home place near Tofield and became members of the Salem Mennonite Church. They participated in many activities of their church and conference.
Harry Stauffer, despite a lack of formal training enjoyed history and actively researched and recorded a great variety of aspects of the history of his home church (Salem Mennonite Church), and of the Northwest Mennonite Conference (formerly the Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite Conference). He served as unofficial historian and collector of historical and archival material pertaining to the histories of both the church and conference. He was a member of the Historical Committee which commissioned Ted Regehr to write the centennial history of the Northwest Mennonite Conference.
Harry Stauffer died in March of 2005, leaving a large collection of historical material which was stored in a special small office of the Salem Mennonite Church. Ted Regehr was invited to review and select for permanent retention material deemed worthy of permanent preservation. The items selected were donated by Joseph Voegtlin on behalf of the Salem Mennonite Church to the Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta archives in 2013.
Scope and Content
The fonds consists of Northwest Mennonite Conference (Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite Conference) annual reports, conference newsletters, congregational profiles and subject files; subject files and church bulletins of member congregations of the Northwest Mennonite Conference and two photograph albums of Over 50s Retreats between 1994 and 2002. The material was received in a somewhat disorganized state and was sorted and arranged by the Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta archivist..
Source of Acquisition
Gift by Joseph Voegtlin on behalf of the Salem Mennonite Church and the Northwest Mennonite Conference.
Related material
Northwest Mennonite Conference fonds, Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta Archives.
T. D. Regehr fonds, Material gathered for the writing of the conference’s centennial history, Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta Archives
T. D. Regehr, Faith, Life and Witness in the Northwest. Centennial History of the Northwest Mennonite Conference, 1903-2003, (Kitchener: Pandora Press, 2003.
Joseph Voegtlin, ed., A Mennonite Mosaic. A Century of God’s Faithfulness at Salem Mennonite Church, Tofield, Alberta, 1910-2010 (Tofield: Centennial Book Committee, Salem Mennonite Church, 2010)
Ezra Stauffer, History of the Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite Conference, 1960.
Notes:
Accession 2013.026
File List:
Series A. Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite Conference/Northwest Mennonite Conference Annual Reports, newsletters, congregational profiles and subject files some with supplemental material. – 1923-2004. – 40 cm of textual records. – Included are reports and documentation pertaining to other special conferences (Missionary, Christian Workers, Sunday School, etc.). Also included are supplementary reports, letters and documents pertaining to conferences which Harry Stauffer attended.
Box 1
1-1 Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite Conference Annual Reports, 1923-1949.
1-2 Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite Conference Annual Reports, 1950-1959.
1-3 Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite Conference, Board and Conference Reports, 1960-1969.
1-4 Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite Conference Reports, 1970-1971.
1-5 Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite Conference Reports and draft conference constitution, 1972-1974.
1-6 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 1875-1978.
1-7 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 1979-1982.
1-8 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 1983-1987.
1-9 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 1988.
1-10 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 1989.
Box 2
2-11 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 1990.
2-12 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 1990-91.
2-13 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 1992.
2-14 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 1993.
2-15 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 1994.
2-16 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 1995.
2-17 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 1996.
2-18 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 1997.
2-19 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 1998.
2-20 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 1999.
2-21 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 2000.
2-22 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 2001.
2-23 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 2002.
2-24 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 2003.
2-25 Northwest Mennonite Conference Reports, 2004.
Box 3
Congregational Profiles and Incomplete set of Conference Newsletters
3-26 Congregational Profiles, 1988. These were one-page profiles of the congregations and used as bulletin inserts.
3-27 Newsletters, 1967-1976.
3-28 Newsletters, 1977-1980.
3-29 Newsletters, 1980-1983.
3-31 Newsletters, 1985-1989.
3-32 Newsletters, 1990-1993.
3-33 Newsletters, 1994-2002.
Special Conference files
3-34 Spying Out The North, 1946, 120 cm x 80 cm poster of photographs with commentary of an exploratory mission trip to Northern Alberta.
3-35 Statements by several ministers regarding conference doctrines, policies and practices.
Series B. Congregational Subject files and Bulletins. – 1937-2004. – 3.6 m of textual records
Salem (Tofield) Mennonite Church subject files and bulletins
The Salem Mennonite Church was started in the spring of 1910 by several families from Nebraska. The initially met in homes but built their first church building, later enlarged, in 1915 on a site 14 Miles south-east of Tofield. The joined the Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite Conference (later renamed the Northwest Mennonite Conference) in 1915. In 1988, with the support of other member congregations of the Northwest Mennonite Conference, the Park Mennonite Church, was established in nearby Sherwood Park.
3-36 Salem Mennonite Church Declaration of Incorporation, 1937.
3-37 Salem Mennonite Church constitution and constitutional amendments.
3-38 Salem Mennonite Church Governance Models.
3-39 Salem Mennonite Church job descriptions and church governance.
3-40 Salem Mennonite Church Blue Print of the Church building.
3-41 Salem Mennonite Church celebrations. Includes program and newspaper clippings of the dedication of the new church building, and programs of the 60th, 70th and 100th anniveresaries
3-42 Salem Mennonite Church Minute book, 1941-1975.
3-43 Salem Mennonite Church, minutes, reports, correspondence, 1997-2004.
3-44 Salem Mennonite Church, minutes, reports, correspondence, 2005-2010.
3-45 Salem Mennonite Church, Membership record book.
3-46 Salem Mennonite Church, Membership Transfer Records, 1967-1984,
3-47 Salem Mennonnite Church, Certificates of Membership, 1962-1982.
Box 4
4-48 Salem Mennonite Church, Directories, 1971, 1990, 2005
4-49 Salem Mennonite Church, Deacons’ Record Book, 1924-1944.
4-50 Salem Mennonite Church, Pastoral letters, 1975-2001.
4-51 Salem Mennonite Church, Policies and Procedures – sexual or physical harassment or abuse.
4-52 Salem Mennonite Church, Youth Fellowship, games, socializers, party games, leadership guidelines. stunts.
4-53 Salem Mennonite Church, Funeral and Cemetery Policy and Register of Burials.
4-54 Salem Mennonite Church, Record of grave diggers, 1932-1971.
4-55 Salem Mennonite Church, Bulletins, 1968-1971.
4-56 Salem Mennonite Church, Bulletins, 1972-1974.
4-57 Salem Mennonite Church, Bulletins, 1975-1977.
Box 5
5-58 Salem Mennonite Church, Bulletins, 1978-1980.
5-59 Salem Mennonite Church, Bulletins, 1981-1983.
5-60 Salem Mennonite Church, Bulletins, 1984-1986.
5-61 Salem Mennonite Church, Bulletins, 1987-1989.
5-62 Salem Mennonite Church, Bulletins, 1990-1992.
5-63 Salem Mennonite Church, Bulletins, 1993-1995.
5-64 Salem Mennonite Church, Bulletins, 1996-1998.
Box 6
6-65 Salem Mennonite Church, Bulletins, 1999-2001.
6-66 Salem Mennonite Church, Bulletins, 2002-2004.
6-67 Salem Mennonite Church, Bulletins, 2005-March 2006.
6-68 Park Mennonite Church, Bulletins, 1988-1989.
6-69 Park Mennonite Church, Bulletins, 1991-1992.
6-70 Park Mennonite Church, Bulletins, 1993-1994.
Box 7
Mount View (High River) Mennonite Church subject files
The Mount View (High River) Mennonite church was one of the three founding member churches when, in 1903, the Alberta Mennonite Conference (later renamed the Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite Conference and then the Northwest Mennonite Conference) was organized. Members lived in quite widely separated areas, and membership remained small. It closed its doors and the church building was sold in 1950. In 1998 Trinity Mennonite Church near Calgary accepted responsibility for the care of the Mount View Mennonite cemetery, More detailed information about the church is available in the records of the Northwest Mennonite Conference available at the archives of the Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta.
7-71 History of the Mennonite Church at High River and Aldersyde and other historical information.
7-72 Mount View Mennonite Church – 50th Anniversary celebration,
7-73 Mount View Mennonite Church – correspondence with Harry Stauffer pertaining to the history of the church.
7-74 Mount View Mennonite Church – cemetery record of burials and report of the arrangement with Trinity Mennonite Church.
West Zion (Carstairs) Mennonite Church Bulletins
The West Zion (Carstairs) Mennonite Church was also one of the three founding members church when, in 1903, the Alberta Mennonite Conference (later renamed the Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite Conference and then the Northwest Mennonite Conference) was organized. It has grown over the years and undergone several church building or additions projects. More detailed informaton about the church is available in the records of the Northwest Mennonite Conference available at the archives of the Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta.
7-75 West Zion Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1976-1977.
7-76 West Zion Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1978.
7-77 West Zion Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1988-1990.
Sharon (Guernsey, Saskatchewan) Mennonite Church subject files.
The Sharon (Guernsey, Saskatchewan) Mennonite Church was organized in 1905 and, in the following year, joined the Alberta Mennonite Conference which was then renamed the Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite Conference. Membership remain relatively small for many years but declined after 2000 and led to the closing of the church. More detailed information about the church is available in the records of the Northwest Mennonite Conference available at the archives of the Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta. A few scattered financial statements and church or council reports and minutes are included in the files consisting almost entirely of church bulletins.
7-78 Short History of the Sharon Mennonite Church by Doreen Snider.
7-79 Sharon Mennonite Church, Constitution and Discipline (no date)
7-80 Sharon Mennonite Church Newsletters, 1960-1966.
7-81 Sharon Mennonite Church Newsletters, 1967-1987.
7-82 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1965-1967.
7-83 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1968-1969.
7-84 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1970-1971.
7-85 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1972-1973.
7-86 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1974.
7-87 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1975.
7-88 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1976.
7-89 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1977.
Box 8
8-90 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1978.
8-91 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1979.
8-92 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1980
8-93 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1981.
8-94 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1982.
8-95 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1983.
8-96 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1984.
8-97 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1985.
8-98 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1986
8-99 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1987.
8-100 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1988.
8-101 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1989.
8-102 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1990.
8-103 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1991.
8-104 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1992.
8-105 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1993.
8-106 Sharon Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1994.
Box 9
Mountain View (Kalispell, Montana) Mennonite Church
The Mountain View Mennonite Church traces its history back to the settlement of some Mennonite people near Kalispell, Montana, in 1903. The church was formally organized under the auspices of the Western Amish Mennonite Conference in 1913 when a new building was erected. In 1915, in consideration of its remoteness from other congregations of the Western Amish Mennonite Conference, the Mountain View congregation joined the Pacific Coast, but in 1923 the church was released from that conference to join the Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite Conference, now the Northwest Mennonite Conference. In the conference reorganizations resulting in the creation of Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church United States, the Mountain View church became a member of one of the United States based Mennonite conferences.
9-107 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1963.
9-108 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1964.
9-109 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1965,
9-110 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1966.
9-111 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1967,
9-112 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1968.
9-113 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins,1969.
9-114 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1970.
9-115 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1971.
9-116 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1972.
9-117 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1973.
Box 10
10-118 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1974.
10-119 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1975.
10-120 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1976.
10-121 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1977,
10-122 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1978.
10-123 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1979.
10-124 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1980.
10-125 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1981.
10-126. Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1982.
10-127 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1983.
10-128 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1984.
10-129 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1985.
10-130 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1986.
10-131 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1987,
Box 11
11-132 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1988.
11-133 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1989
11-134 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1990.
11-135 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1991.
11-136 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1992.
11-137 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1993.
11-138 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1994.
11-139 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1995.
11-140 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1996.
11-141 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1997.
11-142 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1998.
11-143 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 1999.
11-144 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 2000.
11-145 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 2001
11-146 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 2002
Box 12
12-147 Mountain View Mennonite Church Bulletins, 2003
Calgary Mennonite Fellowship/Pineridge Christian Fellowship Bulletins
The Calgary Mennonite Fellowship was formed in 1978, affiliated and supported by both the Northwest Mennonite Conference and the Conference of Mennonites in Alberta (now Mennonite Church Alberta).
12-148 Calgary Mennonite Fellowship Bulletins, 1987.
12-149 Calgary Mennonite Fellowship Bulletins, 1989.
12-150 Pineridge Christian Fellowship Bulletins, 1990-1991.
12-151 Pineridge Christian Fellowship Bulletins, 1992.
Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Living Word Ministries Bulletins.
James Mullet, pastor of the Sharon Mennonite Church at Guernsey, Saskatchewan began outreach services in the larger nearby town of Humboldt in 1976. In 1987 Mullet, accepted pastoral responsibilities with Living Word Ministries ,a small newly organized charismatic group in Humboldt. In 1989 some members of Living Word Ministries joined with another group operating a Christian Centre in Humboldt to for the New Hope Community Church which subsequently joined the Cowboy Christian Church for worship services during the time of the local rodeo. Mullet resigned as pastor of the group in 1993 and the shrinking congregation closed its doors in 2000.
12-152 Humboldt Community Church/Living Word Ministries Church bulletins, 1976, 1988-1989.
Calling Lake Mennonite Fellowship Sunday School records.
A Voluntary Service Union was established at Calling Lake, Alberta, in 1955. The group offered Sunday School and Daily Vacation Bible School instruction for the children as well as worship and fellowship services. The congregation was incorporated in 1968
12-153 Seven small booklets of Calling Lake Sunday School records, 1958-1972.
12-154 Calling Lake file of miscellaneous correspondence, arranged chronologically, 1965-1979.
Eaglesham Mennonite Church subject file
In 1947 Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite Conference mission workers began a summer vacation Bible school at Four Mile Creek near Eaglesham in northern Alberta. Worship services were held together with members of the Evangelical Free Church and in 1965 a church building was erected. In 1990 the congregation ended its membership in the Mennonite Conference and became an Evangelical Free Church, but retained strong links with the Mennonite conference.
12-155 Eaglesham Mennonite Church subject file containing the Dedication Program of the Eaglesham Mennonite Church in 1965, a short history of the church, the constitution of the church, and additional photographs, press clippings and correspondence.
Box 13
Over 50s Retreats – photographs
12.156 Over 50s retreat 1994.
12.157 Over 50s retreat 1996
12.158 Over 50s retreat 1998
12.159 Over 50s retreat 2000