FMC History
In the late 1700’s a stream of Mennonites began migrating from Pennsylvania to Upper Canada. By the early 1800’s they reached the land on what is now Kitchener-Waterloo and established a settlement there.
We now understand that this land was part of the Haldimand Tract, a highly disputed tract of land, traditionally inhabited by the Neutral, Anishnabe and Haudenosaunee First Peoples. Looking to the future, we are committed to deepening our learning about this land’s history, and to pursuing reconciliation and the right relationships with our indigenous neighbours.
The Mennonites who arrived in the early 1800s established a settlement known as Eby’s Settlement. These families met for worship in homes, and later in a schoolhouse. In 1813, a log building was built where the church now stands. The building was replaced twice, in 1834 and in 1902. The 1902 building remains the center section of the present-day church. The building became known as First Mennonite Church in 1917.
Over the years groups of members from First Mennonite church left to form other congregations in the city. These include Bethany Missionary Church in 1875, Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church in 1924, and Rockway Mennonite Church in the early 1960s.
More recently, the First Mennonite community has opened its doors and has been transformed, by newcomers to Canada. Following the sponsorship of several Southeast Asian refugee families in 1979, a group of Hmong from Laos joined the community, before moving into their own building and naming their congregation “First Hmong Mennonite Church”. Beginning in the 1980s, refugees and immigrants from Central and South America have steadily arrived, now making up a vibrant Hispanic Community. Today, First Mennonite is a spiritual home to individuals and families who come from many cultures and countries. Our church building is also home to Kitchener Emmanuel Matu Chin Church, a Bible Study group for women of the African Diaspora and an emerging church of hybrid African-Canadian young adults.
Rene Baergen
Rene is excited to be part of a many-cultured congregation and treasures the opportunity to come together, in worship, over coffee or on the soccer pitch, to witness to the boundary-breaking love of our God. He completed a PhD in Biblical Studies (Emmanuel College, University of Toronto) and has taught in seminaries in Toronto, Peru, Uruguay and Cuba. But he most enjoys gathering around the Bible with ordinary people interested in God’s extraordinary call.
A René le complace mucho participar en un pueblo conformado por personas de trasfondos y culturas distintas. Más que nada, le fascina la oportunidad de reunirse, para alabanza, café o futbol, como testimonio del amor de Dios que rompe las barreras. Sacó su doctorado en Estudios Bíblicos (Emmanuel College, Universidad de Toronto) y tiene experiencia enseñando en Toronto, Peru, Uruguay y Cuba. Pero su mayor deseo es de profundizar con personas comunes y corrientes en el mensaje extraordinario de la Biblia.
Sandra Baez
Sandra has a deep love for being in the community. She has worked as a church planter and pastor in Colombia for more than 15 years and now divides her time between First Mennonite and Mennonite World Conference. Nothing gives her more pleasure than walking with people through the ups and downs of life.
Sandra tiene un profundo amor por la vida en comunidad. Trabajó como plantadora de iglesias y como pastora en Colombia durante más de 15 años y actualmente sirve medio tiempo en la primera Iglesia Menonita y medio tiempo en el Congreso Mundial Menonita. Acompañar a las personas a través de los altibajos de la vida es lo que más disfruta.
Liz Weber
Liz is excited to be a part of this inter-cultural, multi-generational and many-gifted community of imperfect humans learning how to live out our faith together. She works part-time at First Mennonite, while also studying part-time at Conrad Grebel University College towards a Master of Theological Studies. Liz is happiest when she’s exploring fun and creative ways to engage all ages in living out our faith together as a community.
Betelhem Yimer
Betelhem Yimer brings the experience of growing up Anabaptist in the Meserete Kristos Church in Ethiopia to our Office Team. She has a deep sense of call to God’s work in her role as Office Administrator and can be counted on for a contagious smile and a warm welcome.
You can find her in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings, 9:30-3:00.