Dates of creation: 1895-1986

40 cm. of textual records

R.R. 1, Markham, ON, L3P 3J2. Located on the west side of 10th Line of Markham Township north of Steeles Ave.

The congregation began services in 1867, and formally organized in 1912. The grounds were used as a cemetery from as early as 1824.  The first building was erected in 1861. At that time it was primarily used for funerals. Samuel Reesor is considered the founding leader of the group. The congregation originated through immigration from Pennsylvania.

Samuel Hoover was the first minister to preach in English (about 1882). The congregation partic09-Dec-2008st Mennonite Sunday school was held in 1896.

The congregation merged with the Steeles Ave. Mennonite Church in 1986 to form the Rouge Valley Mennonite Church.

Ministers prior to 1950 included Samuel Hoover, John G. Hoover, L. J. Burkholder (for fifty years) and A. Lorne Burkholder. Samuel G. Reesor, a deacon, died in the pulpit in August 1913 while leading in prayer.

In 1925 there were 25 members; in 1950, 45; in 1965, 35; in 1975, 42; in 1985, 49. 

For further information see: Mennonite Encyclopedia, "Cedar Grove"; Mennonite Reporter, (Jan. 7, 1985), 12; L.J. Burkholder, A Brief History of the Mennonites in Ontario (1935), 107-111

Custodial history: The congregation made regular donations to the Mennonite Archives of Ontario

Created December 1999 by Sam Steiner

There are four series: Formal records, Informal records,  Church bulletins and Newsletter

Series 1: Formal records

1. Business meeting records, 1953-1969, 1984-1985
2. Markham Mennonite Council minutes, 1984-1985
3. Documents re: change to elder system, 1984-1985?
4. Congregational covenant, 1982-1983
5. Financial and other reports, 1958-1964
6. Baptismal record books, 1921-1936, 1958-1980
7. Membership letters of transfer, 1910-1957
8. Sunday school attendance records,
   1896-1930s? (scattered class books)
   Union Sunday school Sunday school register, 1887-1899, 1900-1943
9. Summer Bible School records, 1934-1950s

Series 2: Informal records

1. Programmes, clippings, 1895-1985
2. Correspondence, 1931-1985(scattered)
3. Maps, 1909 (showing boundaries of church districts); 1967 Cedar Grove centennial map

Series 3: Church bulletins

1965-1986

Series 4: Newsletter

Cedar Post, 1981-1983

Last modified 09-Dec-2008 by Sam Steiner