©Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba. (Last updated May 3, 2013)

David D. Klassen fonds. -- 1838-1985, predominantly 1950-1985. -- 2.05 m of textual records and two compact disks.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:

David Klassen (1902-1985) was born in Halbstadt, Manitoba as the second child of David (1876-1965) and Anna Klassen (1880-1943). He attended the private school in the area and transferred to the public school in 1914 to complete grade four in the English language. He was married Susan Heinrichs (1902-), daughter of William and Maria Heinrichs on February 5, 1920. Fifteen children were born to this marriage.

David D. Klassen was ordained as a minister of the Bergthaler Mennonite Church of Manitoba in 1930 and served in Halbstadt from 1930-1938 and in Homewood, Manitoba from 1938-1964. In 1961 he was ordained as an elder (bishop) in the Bergthaler Mennonite Church of Manitoba. He served the church and the wider Mennonite community through various speaking engagements in Canada and in Mexico and on the Southern Manitoba radio station C.F.A.M. He wrote for church papers and was keenly interested in issues of peace, baptism, war, prophecy, and the charismatic movement. He served on the boards of the Mennonite Collegiate Institute (MCI) in Gretna, Manitoba, Canadian Mennonite Bible College (CMBC) in Winnipeg and the Conference of Mennonites in Canada (CMC) Home Mission Board.

David D. Klassen and his wife retired to the Boyne Towers apartments in Carman, Manitoba where he died on September 4, 1985.

SCOPE AND CONTENT:
This fonds consists of correspondence, especially letters of condolences and congratulations (ca. 1950-1973); topical files, especially on pacifism, eschatology and the charismatic movement; sermons, poems and songs; religious tracts and pamphlets. Of special interest are some historical documents collected and passed on through the family. One of these files contains documents about the Elder Heinrich Wiens of Gnadenheim, Molotschna who was deported back to West Prussia in 1847. There is also a file of handwritten sermon notes by Heinrich H. Ewert (1855-1934) of Gretna, Manitoba.  Klassen was a long serving minister and was deeply involved in the church issues of the day including growth of the church, private Mennonite education, Waisenamt etc.  The interview with Mr. and Mrs. Klassen by his son touches on some of these and other issues. The interview with Ken peacock of the National Archives of Canada is regarding Low german nursery rhymes.

CUSTODIAL HISTORY

Most of the material in this collection was transferred to the Mennonite Heritage Centre by David D. Klassen in 1977 and 1984 and 1985. His daughter Kathy Martens also brought materials between 1984-1986 and in 1994 and 2004. Other documents were collected by David and Trudy Schellenberg of Winkler for the Christian Heritage Library.  Klassen's son, John, donated a compact disk of an interwiew with Mr. and Mrs. Kalssen in 1979.  The Low German recordings were deposited by Conrad Stoesz.

NOTES

Accession Numbers 77-01, 86-21, 94-017, 97-150, 03-003, 04-038, 05-095.

Location: textual records - Volumes 651, 2113-4, 3207-3234, 4742, 4786, 5241-2.  Digital media #32.

Finding aid consists of an inventory file list.

Related Material: MHC Audio Cassettes 93, 141, 172, 173, 658, 659. See also Kathy Martens collection. Bergthaler Mennonite Church of Manitoba fonds, and Conference of Mennonites in Manitoba Collection; G.G. Epp fonds, Volume 575 file # 16; H.H. Ewert fonds; and Photographs collections 165:(78)9, 298:272.

Description last updated by Sharon Brown, December 2002, By Conrad Stoesz November 18, 2005; September 17, 2007; February 10, 2010; May 3, 2013.

File 1

Sermons/Essays/Articles written by C. D. Klassen (undated).

- "The Origin of Church-Holidays, and the observing of them," 3p.

- "The Speaking of Tongues and the Holy Spirit," 16 p., 2 copies--one a printer's proof, one a typed copy.

- "Charismatic Renewal or Charismatic Confusion?" 23 p.

- "The revision of the Catechism with special emphasis on the doctrineof Eschatology," 9 p.

- "Centennial-Year Reminiscences concerning the Mennonites," 4 p.

- "Centennial-Year Reminiscences concerning the Mennonites, "23 p. 2 copies

- "The Bergthaler Mennonite Church of Manitoba," 13 p.

- "The Other Mennonites," 14 p.

- The Christian and War," 8 p.

File 2

Sermons/Essays/Articles written by D; D. Klassen (dated)

- "Woher? Wohin? Bergthaler Gemeinde!" Das Bergthaler Gemeinde Blatt, Vol. 3, 1961? 9 p.

- "Report of the Minister to the Brotherhood Meeting at the Homewood Bergthaler Church," February 10, 1964, 6 p.

- "Our Belief on the Infallibility of the Bible in Relation to Eschatology," March, 1964, 6 p.

- Zum fuenfundsiebzigsten Jubilaemsfest der Mennonitischen Lehranstalt M.C.I. zu Gretna, Manitoba," May 23, 1965, 11 p. With 2 page addendum "Ansprache fuer das 25 Jubilaeum der Mennonitischen Lehranstalt, 1916, d. 1. Juni," (H. H. Ewert)

-"Words of farewell, and a look into the future, at the Brotherhood Meeting of the Central Bergthaler Church held at Homewood Mennonite Church," March 13, 1972, 5 p.

- "Message of the thanksgiving and farewell at the official closing of the Mennonite Church at Kane Manitoba," April 29, 1973, 4 p.

- "How could The Peace-teaching (nonresistance) be lost?" February, 1974, 26 p., 2 copies-- a printer's proof and a regular typed one.

- "General Interview Questions Re: My Involvement with the Mennonite Collegiate Institute at Gretna, Manitoba," January 1977, 27 p.

- "The first Mennonite Songfestival (Saengerfest) in Winkler Manitoba in the year 1911, the 17th of April ,: January, 1977, 2 p.

- "First song festival in Manitoba April 17th, 1911," 1 p.

- "Message for the out-door service at Kings Park, Carman Fair Grounds in conjunction

with the Centennial celebration of the Dufferin Agricultural fair," July 15, 1979, 9 p.

- 2 Letters to the Editor of The Mennonite, August 21, 1979, September 4, 1979.

- "Personal remarks at the 50th celebration of the Elim Bible Institute," October 13, 1979, and correspondence with Allan Siebert of Mennonite Reporter re: Elim celebration, November 1979, 3 p.

File 3

Heinrich Wiens papers. - 1847-1864. - 4 items.

1. Dies ist Abschied von Aeltester Heinrich Wiens. - 1864. This item is a report copied (Gothic script) by Johann Klassen (Neuanlage) on Jan. 28, 1864. (Located in Vol. 651:3a)
2. Abschied von Heinrich Wiensz aus Gnadenheim an die beiden Aeltestern der Gemeinde zu Lichtenau und Pordenau .... 26. April 1847. - 1856. This item is a handwritten copy (Gothic script) of a sermon prepared by Wiens upon his departure from the Molotschna which was delivered on June 22, 1847 in the Margenau Church (not by Wiens but read by another minister). This copy was made by Johann Krueger (Blumstein) in 1856. (Located in Vol. 651:3b)
3. Ein Abschied und Bericht wie es in der Molotschnerkolonie in d. früh. Jahre zugeganen ist, und wie die Vorgestezten den her. Aeltesten Heinrich Wiens von Gnadenheim zus dem lande verwiesen haben. Seine Rückkehr nebst Beschreibung der ganzen Reise. - Plum Coulee, Man. : Abraham A. Wolf, 1903. - 69 p. ; 30 cm (photocopy)
4. Translations of item 1-3 above.

1. A farewell and a report / translated by Ed Enns. - Feb. 2000. This translation is based on a report copied by Johann Klassen (Neuanlage) on Jan. 28, 1864 (See. Vol. 651:3a) and what was published by A. Wolfe (Plum Coulee) in 1903 (See. pp. 1-20).
2. Farewell Address of our beloved Elder Heinrich Wiens of Gnadenheim. This item is sermon delivered on June 22, 1847 in the Margenau Church (not by Wiens but read by another minister). The translation was published in P.M. Friesen on pages 143-156. The sermon was first published by A. Wolfe (Plum Coulee) in 1903 (See pp. 21-41). An "original" handwritten copy made in 1856 by Johan Krueger (Blumstein) is in the D.D. Klassen collection in Vol. 651:3b).
3. Travel report of the Reverent Elder Heinrich Wiens (1847-1849) / translated by Ed Enns. - Feb. 2000. This item consists of a series of letters written by Wiens from West Prussia to the Molotschna community after his deportation. They are based on what A. Wolfe (Plum Coulee) published in 1903 (pp. 42-69) which in turn was based on what Johann Wall.

File 4

Illustrated letter from Anna (?) to parents, 1838.

File 5

Correspondence and Minutes re: MCI, 1940-1959.

File 6

Miscellaneous documents, e.g. newspaper clippings.

Topical files and messages of condolence or congratuation

1. End times
2. A) Peace teaching B) Mennonite Peace Study Conference, Winnipeg, Apr. 1954.
3. Children
4. Church and conference relationships.
5. Historical (D.D. Klassen family)
6. Sermons by D.D. Klassen (4 folders)
7. Articles on the Bible
8. Baptism
9. Charismatic (2 folders)
10. Mennonite History
11. Cults
12. Low German Radio sermons (5 folders)
13. Material for talks on Israel
14. Private schools
15. The other Mennonites
16. Missions
17. Church (general)
18. Homewood Church
19. A) Bergthaler Church B) Carman Church
20. Youth
21. Stewardship
22. Papers by William Klassen
23. Different papers on a variety of subjects
24. Baptism
25. Communion
26. Papers on Mennonite Identity
27. Meetings on peace questions
28. Funeral and wedding invitations
29. Divorce and remarriage; abortion
30. Installation sermons
31. Songs, poems and sayings (2 folders)
32. Visiting the sick
33. Two sermons: a) Whose is this Image... b) Exploration of Faith (Heb. 11)
34. Sermon to seniors
35. Christmas sermons
36. Comments on ministry
37. Misc. sermons by others (2 folders)
38. Correspondence and articles sent to editors
39. Controversy of Bishop J.H. Enns
40. The home
41. Shor statements by J.B. Phillips
42. Radio Andachten (German sermons for radio)
43. Wedding prayers and messages (2 folders)
44. Sontagschul Lektionen über die Wehrlosigkeit
45. Easter sermons
46. Templers
47. The preacher
48. Capital punishment
49. Message to the churches
50. Christian citizenship
51. Conference of Mennonites in Manitoba
52. Poems by Mrs. Kay Friesen Mitchel
53. Offenbarung
54. Health
55. Mennonite Heritage Centre
56. Sample of financial records 1970s
57. Wedding and anniversary messages
58. Funeral messages and words of comfort. - 1962-1982.
59. Funeral messages and words of comfort. - 1964-1985.
60. Funeral messages and words of comfort. - 1961-1978.
61. Funeral messages and words of comfort.

Financial records, notebooks and various church documents

3218 (See J. Suderman letter to K. Martens, Sept. 28, 1987 in Collection File)

3219

3220

1. Pocket ledger. - 1947.
2. Letters and sermons notes
3. Einkommen der Rudnerweider Gemeinde Steuer. - 1943.
4. H.H. Ewert sermons given to D.D. Klassen.
5. Black ringed binder of notes and sermons.
6. Green coil bound notebook

General correspondence in chronological order (1940-1973)

(See inventory list in "D.D. Klassen Collection File"

Unsorted correspondence and papers

1. 1930s, 1940s, 1950s
2. Correspondence (not in order) (4 folders)
3. Correspondence 1950s (not in order)
4. Correspondence 1960s (not in order) (2 folders)
5. Correspondence 1970s (not in order)
6. Correspondence 1980s (not in order)
7. Correspondence (not in order)
8. Correspondence (not in order)
9. Correspondence and some papers. - 1962-1975.
10. Unsorted papers.

1. CMC Board of Missions minutes. - 1960-1964.
2. Bergthaler Mennonite Ministers and Deacons' meeting minutes. - 1964-1967.

Family correspondence

1. Correspondence. - 1962-1985.
2. Bill. - 1949-1969.
3. Aaron, Helen, Anna, Stanley, and general letters to children.
4. Elsie. - 1955-1980s.
5. Ernst. - 1960-1984.
6. John and Alice. - 1970-1980s.
7. Edith. - 1960-1984.
8. Bill, Pat and Donna. - 1970-1984.
9. John. - 1958-1969.
10. Charles and Margaret.
11. Correspondence taken from other files (2 folders)
12. Family correspondence
13. Victor
14. Unsorted correspondence
15. Interview with Susan and D.D. Klassen with son John Klassen. -- March 3, 1979. -- Includes translcription by John's son (David D. Klassen's grandson) Nicholas Klassen and 1 Compact Disk with 2 MP3 files (file one for side 1 of the original tape, second file for side 2 of the second tape).

Pamphlets, tracts and radio messages (unlisted and unsorted)

Volume 3234

1. Unsorted correspondence to and from David D. Klassen to family and friends.  Collected by Klassen's daughter Katherine Martens. -- 1942-1985. (2004-038)

2. Religious tracs by B. Charles Hostetter and Ella May Miller, produced by the The Mennonite Hour, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Volume 4742:

1. General correspondence. - 1955-1963,1965,1966,1968,1969,1971-1986.
2. Family correspondence. - 1963,1966,1970-1987.
3. Worship aids. - [ca. 1976]
4. Words of comfort and congratulations. - 1976,1981,1984.
5. Low German songs. - [198-?].
6. Passports of Mr. and Mrs. Klassen. - 1973.
7. Funeral home guest book. - 1985.

Volume 4786 (Acc. No. 97-017)

1. Israel. - [195-?].

2. CMBC re: David Janzen. - 1957, 1958.

3. The other Mennonites Baptism. - [195-?].

4. D.D. Klassen Travel Notes. - 1963.

5. Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. - 1979, 1980.

6. Satan. - [198-?].

7. Eschatology and the end times. - [198-?].

8. Peace. - 1958.

9. Resource Notes. - 1958, 1961, 1975, 1980, 1984.

10. Homewood church notes and reports. - 1966, 1970, 1979, 1980.

11. Correspondence. - 1904, 1911, 1921, 1922, [192-], 1927, 1929, 1931, 1933, 1938-1943, 1946, 1956, 1957, 1963, 1967, 1970, 1975, 1976, 1978-1980, 1984.

12. Radio sermons. - 1977, 1981.

13. Carman, Manitoba. - 1974, 1977, 1979, 1981.

14. Bergthaler Mennonite church. - 1961, [196-?], 1973.

15. Private School. - [ca. 1975].

16. Sermons and reports. - 1955, 1975, 1979, 1981, 1984.

17. Special functions. - 1975, 1980.

18. Templer Mennonites. - [ca. 1975].

19. Family correspondence. - 1955, 1958, 1963, 1966, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1984-1986, 1988.

20. Family information. - 1965, 1970, 1980, 1983-1985, 1986.

21. Miscellaneous loose pages. - 1978, 1981.

Volume 5241 (2003-003)

2. - transcript of interview with David D. Klassen, Homewood, MB regarding Low German and Low German Nursery Rhymes. -- See digital media collection #32 for audio recording. -- 1962. -- Note: May relate to 4742:5.

Digital media (2003-003)

32. - Interview with David D. Klassen, Homewood, MB regarding Low German and Low German Nursery Rhymes. -- Compact Disk. -- audio format (cda). -- 12:06 minutes. -- For transcript see vol. 5241 file 2. -- 1962. -- Note: May relate to 4742:5.  original at National archives of Canada.