Preservings 11 (1997) - Plett Foundation

Introduction.
We are told that on June 19, 1897 the
Church at Chortitz was filled to overflowing
by people who came from all directions.
The reason being the dedication of a new
Church building. 100 years later, on June
29, 1997 something similar happened.
People again came from all directions, and
filled the church to overflowing. This time
it was for the celebration of the 100th anniversary
of the dedication which took place
in 1897. The weather was mild, lightly overcast
with a slight breeze and we were able
to accommodate many quests inside and out.
The congregation at Chortitz is grateful that
so many people came. Many came as visitors
while for others it was a homecoming.
For some Chortitz was the former place
of their worship, Sunday school or baptism.
One such individual was Mrs. Tina (Henry)
Harder of Grunthal. She was baptized here
in 1920 when she was 20 years old. She is
only three years younger then the Church
building and probably has experienced almost
as much in her lifetime as may have
occurred during the 100 years that the building
has stood. We wish her, in her senior
years, as well as all other guests, health and
gladness and thank you for coming.
Anniversary Celebrations.
The celebration was held during the afternoon
of Sunday, June 29, 1997 Aeltester
(Bishop) Bill Hildebrandt served us with devotions
based on the text taken from Psalm
l00 and also from that used in 1897—Psalm
116:12-14.
Deacon Jacob Klassen hosted the celebration.
After opening with a welcome to all
guests and a reading from Psalm 103 he
spoke on the history of the Church building
and other highlights. He also read a small
portion of the sermon and a prayer used by
Aeltester David Stoesz at the original building
dedication. Rev. Cornelius Peters of the
Silberfeld Church and Orlando Hiebert of
the Steinbach Hanover Historical Society
Inc. conveyed their greetings. Flowers and
a written greeting was also received from
Reeve Aron Friesen of the R.M. of Hanover.
Songs number 549, 345, 603, 725, and
the last verse of 390, “Song before the
meal”, out of the Gesangbuch, were sung.
After the program a picnic-style Faspa was
served.
Significant Events.
100 years have now passed since the
Church at Chortitz was replaced with the
present building and during this time much
of major importance has happened in our
Church community. Some of those that stand
Preservings
Feature Article
Chor Chortitz Chor titz Church Church Centennial
Centennial
By Jacob K. Doerksen, Box 154, Ile des Chenes, Manitoba, R0A 2A0.
out maybe the most are World War One and
all the issues that our people faced over going
to war.
Secondly, the school issue when our
Church lost control of our schools and the
move to Paraguay in the 1920s.
Thirdly, World War Two when the issues
first addressed during the first World War
became much more acute and with the final
result being a second move to Paraguay in
1948. Than came the years of expansion.
More churches were built. First in Niverville
and then in Weidenfeld, Silberfeld,
Rosengard, Steinbach, Winnipeg, Mitchell,
and this was followed by expansion West
and East—Prespatou, Osler, Thedford,
Listowel, and again back to Manitoba with
Zion joining us.
It may be added that the Church at
Grunthal was built in 1886 to serve as a
southern centre for the Church and already
existed when the new Church was built in
Chortitz. The Lord has been good to us and
8
we are thankful for it.
Ministerial Elections.
The worship building at Chortitz served
as focal point for almost all of the issues
facing our Church until well into the expansion
era. Rev. Johann H. Schroeder
Photos show the “centennial” events at the Chortitzer church, Chortitz, Manitoba, on June 29, 1997. Photos
and story courtesy of The Chronicle, No. 17, No. 7, July/August 1997, cover page.
chronicled the days and more days when
meetings were held in Chortitz and Grunthal
regarding the school issue and the move to
Paraguay. During the 1920s it was decided
that many of the Chortitzer people would
move to Paraguay.
At first it seemed that only two Ministers
were going to remain in Manitoba so
on December 6, 1926 it was decided that
more Ministers must be elected and ordained,
from those staying. Fifteen days later
three Ministers and one Deacon were
elected, among them was Aeltester Peter S.
Wiebe as Minister. On August 21, 1927 at
2:30 in the afternoon Aeltester Martin C.
Friesen had his farewell address in Chortitz