HISTORY

The Shantz Mennonite congregation near Baden, ON began services in 1840. The first building, a stone structure, was occupied in 1853 and remodeled in 1900. It was replaced by a brick building in 1929, with another addition in 1988. The community was settled in the 1830s; the first settlers were George R. Schmitt and John Schmitt from the Alsace. The congregation originated primarily through immigration from Pennsylvania. At one time the congregation was known as the Upper Street Church. On 13 July 1956 a tornado ripped off the roof of the church.

In 1925 there were 54 members; in 1950, 111; in 1965, 105; in 1975, 102; in 1985, 124; in 2000, 159; in 2005, 146. It was affiliated with the Mennonite Conference of Ontario until 1988 and currently is part of the Mennonite Conference of Eastern Canada. Shantz Mennonite is part of the Mennonite Church segment of the Mennonite "family." The language of worship is English; language transition from German occurred in the early 1900's.

Pastoral leaders have included George Schmitt (1845-1882), Tobias Bowman (1882-1898), Orphen H. Wismer (1898-1937), Leslie Witmer (1937-1967), Lester Kehl (1967-1976), Ed Kauffman (1976-1984), Vernon Zehr (1985-1989), Doris Gascho (1987-1994), Jim Loepp Thiessen (1991-2003), Interim Maurice Martin (2003-2006), Ellie Huebner (2006-2011), Interim Nancy Brubaker (2011-

The church is located 3 km north of Baden, 13 km west of Waterloo on Erb's Road.