14

Summer Bible School at the Mission Hall
1947
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association

15

The Pelee Mennonites enjoyed singing. A used pump organ was purchased on the mainland to accompany the Islanders’ congregational singing. Several men, but no women, took turns playing the organ at Sunday morning services. Gerhard Thiessen (later Rev.) led the 8-10 voice choir and Rev. Johann Dick delivered the sermon. During this time, Rev. Jacob P. Friesen, whose task it was to keep in touch with the Mennonite Brethren congregations in Ontario, visited the Pelee Island congregation.

16

Pump organ that was played at Mennonite services
2011

Credits:
Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association

17

Jim Dick recalls, "In 1948, the church services were held at John [G.] Wiebe's house. There was a pump organ there, and I understand it had been there for a number of years, and it hadn't been played, but my dad could play that, and I can remember the effort he put in to just pedalling that thing, and, we would sing of course in German. We'd come, my brother and I, from Montreal, and didn't know anything about German, but we were immersed in it of course in this community, how small it was, and I can remember the Sunday school. John Wiebe as a bachelor was a big man. Certainly bigger than an 8-year-old. And, he would sit facing us on one bench, and we would be lined up -- I guess Gerhard [Wiebe] was part of that, and my brother [Ken]. Probably Fred [Wiebe], I dunno if Johnny [Wiebe] was eligible for that. But our knees were about four or five inches away from big John Wiebe's knees, and I was really afriad to look up. But as I recall, we were given a bible to read, and of course it was in German, the German script. And with my dad's help, we got acquainted with parts of the bible. And by the time it came to the church service, I don't recall the adults there, but I think we were restless enough as children, and we were allowed to escape from the main service. So we had our Sunday school there."

18

Anglican Church Choir
mid-1940s
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association

19

When out-of-town pastors officiated on Pelee Island, they were hosted by a Mennonite family. This was a big undertaking for the guest and hosting family alike. The pastor generally arrived by boat on Saturday and spent the night with his hosts. The Sunday morning worship service was followed by a day of visiting and perhaps touring the Island. On Monday morning, the visiting pastor was taken to the dock in time for the boat’s return to the mainland.

20

Wedding of Isaac Driedger and Tina Steingart at Mission Hall; Rev. Isaac H. Thiessen officiated
1 June 1942
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association

21

Mennonite Baptisms on Pelee Island

22

Baptism. Mary Toews, John C. Taves, Jacob B. Konrad, George J. Konrad, Abram J. Dick, Jacob Gossen
1931
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association

23

Baptism. Rev. N.N. Driedger, Rev. Gerhard Thiessen, Ben Konrad, Rev. Jacob Driedger, Katie Driedger
1935
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association

24

Baptism
1944
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association

25

Mennonite weddings on Pelee Island

26

Jacob Dick and Anna Toews married on the Toews farm; Bishop J. H. Janzen officiated
18 May 1930
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association

27

Wedding of Frank Schroeder and Katharina Klassen
22 May 1932
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association