File 6 - Heinrich Hildebrandt sermons

Heinrich Hildebrandt, travelling minister and farmer, was born on August 12, 1866 in Neuenburg, Chortitza Colony, South Russia. He was the second of ten children born to his parents Bernhard and Katherine (nee Doell) Hildebrand. At the age of 12 Hildebrandt's family came to Canada. They arrived in Quebec City on June 30, 1878. He had received his elementary education in Russia and continued his high school studies in Canada. In 1886 he was baptized and became a member of the Bergthal Mennonite Church. That same year he married Helena Dyck. Their marriage produced 12 children. Hildebrandt was ordained on October 20, 1901 and preached his first sermon in Winkler on November 17, 1901. During his 39 years of service to the church Hildebrandt promoted the Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna and spent much of his time travelling from the eight different locations where he preached in Southern Manitoba. In 1919 Hildebrandt was forced to retire due to a rupture which caused him a great deal of pain. Heinrich Hildebrandt died in Greenfarm, Manitoba on July 10, 1940.