This fonds consists mainly of the following series: -1) Correspondence -2) Topical files -3) Sermon notes - -4) Photographs Several discrete items or objects not part of these series are: a map of Gnadenfeld and some memorabilia picked up in his travels (Vol. 3298; Map #817)
The files are from Gerhard Lohrenz's filing cabinet and his 13 binders of correspondence and photographs. Some personal and financial items were removed by the family before the collection was delivered.
The files are arranged alphabetically according to topics ranging from Alcoholism to Billy Graham, to Dancing, to World Council of Churches. Also included are travel diaries from the many trips he lead and took overseas. At the end of the topical section, a new section begins that includes a few periodicals, awards, and Eduard Reimer correspondence and manuscript.
This series consists of mainly 3"x5" file cards that contain some 800 sermon notes. Most are arranged by Biblical text used, others are in no particular order.
This series consists of 12 photograph collections. Some were taken by Lohrenz, but the majority were collected by Lohrenz and others. The largest set of photos are the ones used for the publication of Heritage Remembered: A Pictorial Survey of Mennonites in Prussia and Russia, Revised and Enlarged Edition, (Winnipeg, MB: CMBC Publications, 1977) (Collection 44 and 45). Collections 79 and 81 contain negatives; Collection 98, 186 and 187 contains slides. Collection 299 contains photo from a Europe tour plus many other collected photo; Collection 504 are all photos pertaining to the Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists of USSR
Photographs collected from hundreds of refugees and immigrants by Rev. Gerhard Lohrenz (1899-1986) and used for publication in the book entitled "Heritage Remembered" (first edition, December 1974; second edition, September 1977) are contained in this collection. Lohrenz chose the collecting and publishing of this pictorial tour of the former Mennonite communities of Prussia and Russia as a Canadian Mennonite Centennial Project. The photographs show various Mennonite settlements and portray Mennonite life as they depict villages, mills, factories, homes, farms, churches, schools and much more.
This is a photo of David Johann Claassen, plenipotentiary of the Mennonites of Russia in matters pertaining to the forestry service and chairman of the Molotschna school board. [HR 146]
This is a photo of Peter Neufeld (1824-1909), teacher at the Halbstadt and at the Gnadenfeld Central Schools. Neufeld was the founder of the publishing house, "Raduga". [HR 145]
This is a photo of Heinrich Unruh (1845-1927), elder of the Halbstadt congregation from 1896 to 1927. A solid leader in our brotherhood. He, as well as his wife, were physically mistreated during the Revolution. [HR 145]
This is a photo of Philip Wiebe, son-in-law to Johann Cornies. A noble character and progressive mind distinguished him. He continued to build on the foundation laid by Johann Cornies. During the time of the struggle between the land owners and the landless, he became the counselor and advisor of the landless. Although well-to-do, even rich, he defended the poor and sided with them. [HR 147]
