Fonds PP - Cornelius C. and Gertrude Neufeld fonds

Identity area

Reference code

CA MHC PP

Title

Cornelius C. and Gertrude Neufeld fonds

Date(s)

  • 1907-1979 , predominant 1930-1979 (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

48 cm of textual material

Context area

Name of creator

(1905-1993)

Biographical history

Name of creator

(1906-1977)

Biographical history

Cornelius Calvin Neufeld was born at Altona, Manitoba, on October 9, 1906. His parents were Elizabeth (Martens) and G. G. Neufeld; his father was a school inspector. Gertrude Hooge was born on January 7, 1905, at Bloomfield, Manitoba, to Johann and Gertrude Hooge. They were married on September 24, 1932, in Plum Coulee, Manitoba. Both C. C. and Gertrude attended the University of Manitoba, and Gertrude also attended Bethel College. Gertrude completed a Bachelor of Arts, and C. C. obtained a Bachelor of Science, a Masters of Science and a Bachelor of Education. C. C. began teaching at the Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna, but withdrew over disagreements about the English language. He then entered the public education system in Winnipeg, where he served as a science teacher and a principal for many years. Gertrude was also involved in education, teaching sewing and cooking classes for girls at Boys and Girls clubs. Both C. C. and Gertrude were charter members of the Bethel Mission, which became Bethel Mennonite Church, and provided important leadership to the congregation throughout the years. C. C. was the secretary of the committee for the First English Interdenominational Mennonite Church, whose activities eventually led to English becoming the dominant language at Bethel. He also served on the Bethel church council, as a deacon, and as Sunday School Superintendent. Gertrude taught Sunday School, worked with the Women in Mission, and provided an important ministry of hospitality. In addition to his work at Bethel, C. C. was also involved in a variety of community organizations, including the Crosstown Credit Union, CFAM, Investors in Education, the Canadian Mennonite Bible College, the Mennonite Historical Society, and the Bible Society, and he served on the finance board for the General Conference Mennonite Church. C. C. died after a brief illness on August 7, 1977. Gertrude died at Bethania Personal Care Home on February 3, 1993.

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

This fonds contains materials concerning Bethel Mennonite Church, the wider church, their work in education, and personal matters. The Bethel Church materials consist primarily of minutes, reports and correspondence relating to various committees and church activities. From the wider church, there are materials from the Bible Society, the General Conference Mennonite Church, and the Mennonite World Conference. The education materials include teaching notes, aids and resources, administration materials, exams, and minutes from the Winnipeg Science Teachers Association and the Teachers' Science Club. Finally, the collection includes a variety of personal items including receipts, publications on home building and renovation, personal notebooks, artwork from their children, materials from the Credit Union and CFAM, travel resources and records, and correspondence.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

Script of material

Language and script notes

English (95%) and German (5%)

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Inventory file list

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Subject access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Rules and/or conventions used

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Described by Jake Peters in "Resources for Canadian Mennonite studies: an inventory guide to archival holdings at the Mennonite Heritage Centre" (1988: 124). Re-described by Joanne Moyer in February 2007.

Language(s)

Script(s)

Sources

Accession area

Related subjects

Related genres

Related places