Then and Now

Maryanne Szuck
July 19, 2009

Norma Dettweiler, a member of our church wrote a article for a Rural Sociology Course in 1957 - 1959 for her teacher`s degree. It was titled " Breslau - a Rural Community." She wrote about Breslau`s size and location, the people, religion, educational opportunities, industry, communication and transportation, local government, expansion, farming land, and social life.

Norma also started "The Branch" in 1985. Norma, now at age 81 lives at Fairview Mennonite Home.

From Norma`s article this is a comparison of 50 years, then and now.

Then
- the church building was the 1908 brick building and known as the Cressman Mennonite Church.

Now
- The name was changed to Breslau Mennonite Church in 1968. Today we are in a new church building, built in 1990 that was added on to the old building. Breslau Mennonite Church celebrates 175 years this year (1834 - 2009).

Then
- Oscar Burkholder had been pastor of this congregation for 41 years from 1913 - 1954. He was also Bishop of the congregation for 7 years. He was well-known in the community since he spent the major part of his life in Breslau. Carl J. Rudy assumed the pastorate in 1954.

Now
- Today we have two pastors, Darrel Toews and Darren Kropf.

Then
- The Mennonite Church had a membership of 152 with a Sunday School enrollment of approximately 175.

Now
- On May 31, 2009 our membership is 228 and Sunday School enrollment is 40 Junior Sunday School (Cradle Row to Grade 8) and 24 Junior and Senior Youth.

Then
- Church and Sunday School services were held each Sunday morning while on Sunday evenings preaching services were alternated with Young Peoples` Bible Meetings.

An average Sunday evening attendance was 30 - 40. The mid-week prayer meeting is attended by approximately 20 people.

Now
- Today morning worship services and Sunday School programs are held every Sunday morning. There are now regional care groups started in 1996, many youth activities, WMSC, Monday Evening Quilting, Seniors` activities, children`s musicals, Bible quizzing, Slo-pitch, bowling, potlucks, service opportunities and more. Average attendance on a Sunday is 130 people.

Then
- Among the occupations farming was the leading one with approximately 60 percent of the members living on farms. Some of the other occupations represented are carpenters, milkmen, factory workers, telephone lineman, teacher, businessman, mailman.

Now
- Today`s occupations are reversed with farming being about 1 percent of our congregation membership. There are more professionals such as medical people - doctors and nurses, teachers, lawyer, engineers, financial consultants, computer technicians, carpenters, factory workers, self employed businessman, etc..

Then
- About 13 families live in the village, 5 of these being young married couples with children, and among the others, several retired farmers, and several widows.

Some families formerly living in the community now live in Kitchener or Preston and still attend church services in Breslau.

Now
- Families attend church from Guelph, Kitchener - Waterloo, Cambridge, Fergus, Conestogo, Maryhill and West Montrose. Plus today 28 people live within the Breslau Regional Care Group with 20 in the village.

Then
- Church and Sunday School offerings for the past year (1959) amounted to approximately $10,560. This does not include Young Peoples` projects or work of the three Sewing Circles. The Pastor is given partial support through a monthly offering. The total offerings for Pastor`s support this year amounted to $1,603.88 with an average of $133.65. In addition to this the congregation has a parsonage occupied by Mrs. Burkholder and pays the rent for an apartment where the Rudy`s live.

Now
- We have 2 pastors and 1 administrative assistant on salary today. They are paid according to conference guidelines. The budget for staff in 2009 is $114,950. The parsonage was sold in May 1967 and since then pastors have their own homes.

There have been many changes over the years.

Then
At one time there were no musical instruments.

The first piano was added to the church in 1960s and was situated in the basement. The introduction of the organ was gradually brought into the church. It was requested by Elaine Cressman to use an electric organ in the church for her wedding to John Weber on April 13, 1965. Gradually an organ on loan was used after this wedding until one was purchased in February 1967. The Sunday School Superintendant requested the piano be used for the childrens Christmas program in 1966. I have been told by Frances Kinsie Weber it took 6 men to move the piano upstairs. It is uncertain if this piano was moved again downstairs or stayed upstairs in the sanctuary. But eventually the piano did stay in the sanctuary.

A parish nurse program was commenced in May 1999 at the church. Karen Good began and remains our parish nurse today.

Now
we have three pianos, two upright and one grand piano. An organ was purchased in February 1967 and lasted till 2007. In November 2008 a pipe organ was purchased and installed.

Then
- Norma concluded with a summary of the main factors which make Breslau a community.

Religion - Weekly church services bring rural and village people together for the common purpose of worshiping God, thus giving them a kindred feeling of brotherhood. The Summer Bible School held annually at the Mennonite Church brings together children from many different denominations in the community. Last year for the first time (1958) several teachers were procured from the United Missionary Church, which helped to build a feeling of cooperation.

Now
- Change always happens. We no longer have a Summer Bible School annually. The Church continues to bring people together to worship God, but it no longer is the only social thing to do like it use to be. There are so many more other interest and business opportunities available for people. We are still part of a community whose members support each other. Breslau is no longer a rural community but urban.

BMC was incorporated October 7, 2005. Try to imagine what it may be like in another 25 years.

There has been a continuous gradual change over time and it will continue. What will the church be like in 25 years from now ... when Breslau Mennonite Church celebrates 200 years.