Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1910-2009 (Creation)
Level of description
Collection
Extent and medium
6.90 Linear Feet; 7 archives boxes, 2 half archives boxes, and 1 oversize folder
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
John A. Friesen was born in 1915 in Jamgaon, India to Peter and Helena (Hiebert) Friesen, Mennonite missionaries in India. He attended Hesston College and Goshen College, graduating from Goshen College in 1938. He married Genevieve Yoder in 1939, and together they entered missionary service in India. They had five sons, all of whom went on to serve Mennonite agencies abroad.
Friesen performed a number of duties for the Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities during his 41 years of missionary service. A gifted writer and artist, Friesen edited the church paper, photographed mission work, and worked on audiovisuals. Friesen also administered leprosy control and care programs. When the India Mennonite Church reorganized in 1971, Friesen worked as a pastor with the Leprosy Mission of India.
Friesen combined his love of music and church planting work by encouraging the use of indigenous music in Indian churches.
After their retirement in 1981, Friesen and his wife worked in jail ministry, and created artwork for various church programs. Friesen also served as interim pastor for four Mennonite congregations.
Friesen died in 2009.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Personal papers of a Mennonite missionary to India, divided into the following series:
(1) Correspondence and Subject Files, 1940-2005
(2) Music, 1928-1999
(3) Art, 1938-2001
(4) Family Papers, 1910-2009
(5) Sermons, 1943-1993
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
By series
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
These materials are open for public research.
Conditions governing reproduction
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright not owned by the Mennonite Church USA Archives.
Language of material
- English
- Hindi
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
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
2011-06-01
Language(s)
- English