Non-Resistant Relief Organization

Corporate body

Non-Resistant Relief Organization

• Nonresistant Relief Organization; NRRO

1917-1964

The Non-Resistant Relief Organization (NRRO) was a fundraising organization created in 1917 by the several Mennonite and Brethren in Christ bodies in Ontario. The permanent organization was effected in Kitchener, Ontario on 16 January 1918. Membership eventually included the Mennonite Conference of Ontario, Markham-Waterloo Mennonite Conference, United Missionary Church (Mennonite Brethren in Christ at that time), Brethren in Christ (Tunker), Amish Mennonite, the United Mennonites, the Mennonite Brethren, and Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church.

The early years of the NRRO were devoted to representations to the Dominion government seeking clarification of the status of non-resistant churches under the Military Service Act of 1917. The NRRO also intervened in specific cases of men from non-resistant churches called into military service. A fund of $70,000 was contributed and presented to the government in appreciation for exemption privileges, and at government request was distributed to various relief organizations for war sufferers in Europe. This activity set the pattern for the NRRO - it did not engage in relief work directly, but solicited member churches for projects worthy of support then passed on the donations accordingly.

Following the war, the NRRO joined with Mennonite Central Committee to contribute relief to Mennonites in Russia. After a period of dormancy from 1924-1937, the NRRO was re-activated to discuss providing relief during the Civil War in Spain. In 1939, the NRRO and Ontario Mennonite women's sewing circles were invited to work with Mennonite Central Committee to provide relief in England and Europe. With the establishment of the Conference of Historic Peace Churches (CHPC) in 1940, the role of the NRRO in making representations to government was diminished. For the sake of better efficiency and organization, the NRRO was coordinated with the CHPC in 1946. Following World War II, the NRRO was active in raising funds for many international relief projects. Together with the CHPC, the work of the NRRO was folded into the new Mennonite Central Committee (Ontario) created in 1964.

Mennonite Archives of Ontario