Greenland Holdeman Church Building 1920-1947

     Former Kleine Gemeinde families who had become members of the new Church of God in Christ(Mennonite) after 1881 started emigrating from Blumenort and Blumenhof to isolated farms in northern Blumenort lands (sections 32,33, and the western half of 35-76E), and to the Brittestappe (Metis prairie) to the north outside of the East Reserve in 1890. They bought some five sections from the Metis and called the area Greenland because of the lush, well-watered land. A church, school, and a cheese factory were built near the centre of the community. Additional information available in Blumenort – A Mennonite Community in Transition, 1874-1982, Royden Loewen, 1983.¹

Through the unrest caused by the first World War in 1917-1918, several families moved here from the United States, such as Min. Abram G. Ensz and family, Dea. John B. Toews and family, and the Isaac K Friesen and Peter E. Friesen families, as well as several unmarried young men.

By 1920 membership had increased so much that it was decided to construct a new church building, which was ready for service in December 1920. The dimensions were 36 by 60 feet. This building was constructed at the present location. In October 1921 General Conference convened here with many members from Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, and Alberta taking part.²