Collection 00/MS.391 - Arnold J. Regier Papers

Identity area

Reference code

US BCMLA 00/MS.391

Title

Arnold J. Regier Papers

Date(s)

  • 1860-1960 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

0.60 Cubic Feet

Context area

Name of creator

(1912-2000)

Biographical history

-first president of Canadian Mennonite Bible College, 1947-1952
-died in Newton (Kansas)

Name of creator

Biographical history

text from funeral bulletin:

Arnold Jacob Regier was born on November 3, 1912, as the eldest son of Anna and Henry R. Regier at Elbing. He enjoyed a carefree childhood with his brother William, attended Elbing Grade School, and graduated from Newton High School in 1930.

Arnold received catechism instruction and was baptized on Pentecost in 1930, becoming a member of Zion Mennonite Church in Elbing.

He farmed together with his father for a few years, and then was called to enter the ministry. He studied at Bethel College, graduating in 1940. In June of that year, he was ordained into the ministry at Zion Mennonite Church.

During his years at Bethel College, Arnold met Helen Elsa Buhr, who became his life-long companion on August 22, 1939.

After graduation from college, Arnold spent some time teaching at Bethel Academy. This was followed by a three-year term of service as pastor of the Portland-Alberta Community Church in Oregon. During this time, he also completed some seminary courses.

In 1947, Arnold graduated from Mennonite Biblical Seminary (then affiliated with Bethany Biblical Seminary in Chicago) with a B. D. That fall, he assumed the presidency of Canadian Mennonite Bible College (CMBC) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for a period of four years.

In 1951, Arnold went to Germany to study for a term at Göttingen University. Helen then joined him, and they served in various capacities for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Germany and Austria with the resettlement of refugees. It was during this time that he and Helen adopted their son, Paul.

In 1957 Arnold began a term of service as chaplain of Bethel Deaconess Hospital in Newton that lasted for a period of six years.

Arnold's interests always lay in the area of peace and social concerns. This led him to become involved with halfway houses in Wichita. At this time, he also served as a chaplain at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita and became involved in the radio and television ministry, where he served as Director of Uni-Comm with Interfaith Ministries until his retirement.

He passed away peacefully on August 6, 2000 leaving behing Helen, his wife of 60 years; Paul and Kathy, his son and daughter-in-law; and his grandchildren, James and Amanda.

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

The papers were in the possession of Esther Bohn Groves (sister of Stan Bohn). Presumably, Regier gave them to her for her to do editorial work related to his writing project. Stan Bohn brought the papers in along with other papers belonging to his sister.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

research materials and drafts for some kind of writing project on Prussian Mennonite history; includes many photos, also a tape of "Flemish choral music"; 2 boxes of reel-to-reel audio tapes

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

2 boxes of reel-to-reel audio tapes from Donald D. Kaufman, 7 May 2015

System of arrangement

unprocessed

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

open for research

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

  • English
  • German

Script of material

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Description control area

Description identifier

ArchonInternalCollectionID:1489

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