Fonds PP - Johann J. Klassen fonds

Johann J. Klassen was born on November 20, 1872, in Kronsgarten in the Chortitza Colony in Russia. His parents were Johann and Judith (Klassen) Klassen. He completed the pedagogical course at the Chortitza Zentralschule, and then spent five years studying theology at the Theological Seminary in Basel, Switzerland. He was the first student from Chortitza to study at the seminary and his education was financed by a Mennonite industrialist. Upon completing his studies, Johann returned to Russia where he served as a teacher and preacher in both Chortitza and Ekaterinoslav. He was married to Sara Dyck on May 20, 1900 and they had at least two children: Heinrich and Franz. In 1923, the family immigrated to Canada and Johann began working at the Nordheimer Church in Dundurn, Saskatchewan, in 1925. He was ordained as an elder by David Toews and played an instrumental role in gathering the scattered groups in Saskatchewan into an organized church. Johann was known for his unwavering faith and his calm unbiased judgement and he was often asked to address the conference on difficult topics. He also served on the program committee for the Conference of Mennonites in Canada. In 1940, Johann and Sara moved to Sardis, British Columbia, seeking a better climate for Sara's health. Johann began work at the First Mennonite Church Greendale, but was killed in a car accident on January 29, 1942.