Canadian Mennonite Bible College - Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

Page 31 text:

Jake Unrau, Winnipeg, Man. Ernst Wiebe, Lowe Farm, Man. Margaret Wiebe, Niverville, Man. Sara Lehn, Sardis, B.C. Orlando J. Sawatzky, Graysville, Man. Jacob A. Wiebe, Altona, Man. Sarah Wiens, Herschel, Sask. 3L

Page 30 text:

John Bergen, Stephenf ield, Man. Bill Boldt, Osier, Sask. James Dyck, Homewood, Man. Mrs. Marie Dyck, Homewood, Man. Rudy Goerzen, Starbuck, Man. Aaron Klassen, Homewood, Man. Mrs. Helen Neufeld, Lena, Man. Rev. Gerhard Peters, Sardis, B.C. 30

Page 32 text:

FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE 1947-48. SCENE AT FIRST OFFICIAL OPENING tAitliesUa eMatlt Ite JlonA cMelfx d 144, . . . The Canadian Mennonite Bible College was founded to meet a long felt need in our Canadian Conference. With a general rise in educational standards it was felt that the Conference could no longer neglect to provide oppor¬ tunities for the training of its future church leaders. It was felt that we could not rely on other schools or col¬ leges to prepare workers who would be adequately trained to meet the needs in our own churches and mission fields. The matter of establishing such a school received first mention in 1941 at our Canadian Conference held in Laird, Sask. Six years, however, had to pass before such a school was finally begun. Much clarification of thought was necessary before it could be determined what was actually needed and how these needs could be most fully met. Some felt that one or other of our present denominational schools could provide extra courses in order to give the necessary training; others thought that a separate school was needed. The problem as to where the school was to be situated and how the properly trained teachers were to be secured also needed to be solved. During the intervening years the matter was repeatedly referred to and given further study and consideration. Finally Winnipeg was chosen as the place in which the school should be begun. This city was centrally located, was already an educational center with many schools, and was also near to the oldest Mennonite settlement of our Conference in Canada. However, if Winnipeg was to be the future location of the College there still remained the Vfficult problem of finding a proper building in the city in which to begin the school. Repeated efforts were made to secure the old normal school which was vacant at this time, and was situated near the down town section of the city. Many other locations were also investigated. All such efforts were, however, without avail until finally the members of the Bethel Mission Church at 103 Furby Street offered the use of their church building as a place in which the school could be begun. Since this building had been previously used as a school and had proven satisfactory for such use, the offer was accepted by the members of the College Board. Some changes had to be made in the church in order to accomodate the school, but after these had been made the church was finally dedicated for use as a Bible College on October 5, 1947. The first teachers on the staff were Rev. Arnold Regier, president; Rev. H. Wall; Mr. John Konrad and Rev. I. I. Friesen. 32