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Spring 1988 · Vol. 17 No. 1 · p. 120 

Historical Endnotes

Ken Reddig

CMB FILM SERIES COMPLETED

A three-part film series entitled: “The Mennonite Brethren Church: A Missionary Movement,” has been completed this past winter. Scheduled for release in May, the series features Dr. J.B. Toews of Fresno, California as narrator and historian.

Set in the context of three half-hour lectures, the films are vividly illustrated with archival photographs and maps. The films are available for rent or video-cassette copies for sale, from any of the three archival centers. The film was sponsored by the Historical Commission of the MB Church and produced by Buller Films Inc. of Henderson, Nebraska.

KMB ORPHANAGE NEWSLETTER SOUGHT

In 1890 members of the Krimmer Mennonite Brethren Church (KMB) chartered an orphanage southeast of Hillsboro, Kansas. Known as the “Industrial School and Hygiene Home for Friendless Persons,” it was considered a home missions project of the KMB church for many years. The home had close ties with the River Brethren of Pennsylvania. One of their teachers, Sister Amanda Dohner, served as the first matron of the home.

For many years homeless children were brought in from Chicago and raised in this orphanage. Reports note that at times up to 80 children were in residence. However, between the years of 1910-1915 the home changed its mandate. A new charter, accepted in 1915, defined the institution as a home for the aged and officially changed its name to “Salem Home.”

Beginning in 1895 a small publication known as the Gemeindeblatt and Waisenheim was published on a monthly basis to promote and report on the work of the orphanage. It ceased publication about 1904. Many copies of this publication are still missing. The Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies in Hillsboro, Kansas is looking for copies of this publication to complete its collection. If you know where any copies of the publication might be located, please contact the Hillsboro Center.

Ken Reddig

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