Oak Lake Mennonite Church

Oak Lake Mennonite Church

We invite you to worship with us.

Times of Worship:  
10:15 am. Adult Sunday School
11:00 am. Worship Service and Children's Sunday School

Other Programs:
Ladies Group - meets monthly
Bible Studies - As Arranged
Vacation Bible School - Summer

Have you thought about your future?  Have you found the riches of Christ?

The Bible says:

1. God loves you.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  (John 3:16)

2. Man is Sinful and Separated from God.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  (Romans 3:23)
For the wages of sin is death.  (Romans 6:23)

3. God's Love provided for our Sin, through Jesus Christ.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  (Romans 5:8)
Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.'  (John 14:6)

4. We must receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
But as many received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His Name.  (John 1:12)

History of the Church

When Canada changed its immigration laws in 1920, more then 20,000 Russian Mennonites entered the country. Of these, several thousand came to Manitoba. 1929 is accepted as the year “Gruppe zu Oak Lake” or the Oak Lake group, was accepted. Back then the different churches of this faith were called groups not churches. All were headed by the 1st known group, Schoenweiser Mennoniten Gemeinde or Schoenweiser Mennonite Church.
Until 1939 all services were held in member families homes on a rotation basis. In 1939 they were moved to the Pleasant Plains School. November 3rd, 1948 the final decision was made to construct a church building. The initial structure was 40’x 28’. The heating system was a box type heater on the main floor. In 1955, due to the growth of the congregation, an
addition was built. It went from 40’x28’ to 60’x28’. An addition of 20 feet on the south end, Sunday school rooms were in the basement portion of the addition and new pews were purchased.
Recognizing youth’s potential, it was decided on October 8th, 1958 the “Boys League” was authorized with Jake Thiessen and Cornie Penner elected leaders. In 1965 the “Girls Club” was acknowledged with the Ladies Aide responsible for leadership. Aggie Thiessen was the 1st elected.
Up until 1961 all church services and activities were done in German. On January 27th, 1961, at the annual meeting, it was decided to go 50% German and 50% English. The two ministers of the time, Rev. Jacob Enns and Rev. Jacob Sawatsky, were given the decision on which would present which language. The worship services were further revised to every other Sunday full German and the other Sunday German opening and English message until Pentecost on may 28th, 1961.
Later that year, after a secret ballot, it was decided to purchase English Mennonite Hymnaries. Books were received from many people: Cornie Penner, Niagra on Lake Mennonite Church and The USA. It was also 1961 when Adult Sunday School came into being.
In 1967 the Christian Service Committee was established. The 1st committee elected consisted of Mary Thiessen, Ernie Klippenstein and Cornie Penner. On April 1st, 1979, the Canadian government announced it’s authorization of M.C.C. Canada to act as an agency through which refugee families from Southeast Asia could be placed with sponsoring churches or individuals.
On November 2nd, 1980, Rev. Jake Sawatsky and wife Rosie celebrated Jake’s 25th anniversary of ministry in the church. On December 6th, 1982 a decision was made to allow members of the congregation to deliver the opening at the Sunday mourning services once a month.
Due to the new 4 lane highway, #1 West proposed by the Provincial Department of Highways , the country church building that started it all was to be closed, March 18th, 1990 was the last service held in that old building.
A fresh new start lie ahead and on April 1st, 1990 the first service in the new building, built on the northern corner of town, was held. A simple yet beautiful design was the perfect new beginning for this flourishing congregation.